Abstract
A trimmer razor including a handle, a head operatively connected to the handle, the head including a base member, a seat extending from the base member, and a cover connected to the seat, and an extension arrangement connecting the cover to the handle so that, upon rotation of the handle, the cover is movable between an open position and a closed position.
Claims
1. A trimmer razor, comprising: a handle having a first end; a head comprising a base member, a seat, and a cover, wherein the seat extends from the base member, the first end of the handle is received within the base member, and wherein the cover is connected to the seat; and an extension arrangement comprising a screw member and a fastener, the screw member threadedly connected to the handle and the base member, and the fastener including one end that is received within a cavity defined by the screw member via a friction fit, the extension arrangement connecting the cover to the handle so that the cover moves between an open position in which the cover is spaced from the seat and a closed position in which the cover is clamped to the seat upon rotation of the handle.
2. The trimmer razor as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one protrusion extending from the seat to assist in positioning a razor blade on the seat.
3. The trimmer razor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one protrusion comprises two protrusions that constrain movement of the razor blade in two degrees of freedom on the seat.
4. The trimmer razor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end of the handle defines a cavity with a threaded inner surface that receives an end of the screw member.
5. The trimmer razor as claimed in claim 1, wherein, upon rotation of the handle in a clockwise direction, the extension arrangement moves the cover to the closed position, and wherein, upon rotation of the handle in a counterclockwise direction, the extension arrangement moves the cover to the open position.
6. The trimmer razor as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one extension member extends from the cover and is received within the seat to guide movement of the cover relative to the seat.
7. The trimmer razor as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one magnet provided within the seat to assist in holding a razor blade to the seat.
8. The trimmer razor as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one razor blade clamped between the cover and the seat when the cover is in the closed position.
9. The trimmer razor as claimed in claim 8, wherein the base member defines at least one aperture extending through a surface thereof.
10. The trimmer razor as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one razor blade is removably provided within the head.
11. The trimmer razor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat and the cover form a planar shaving plane to assist in providing a repeatable shaving angle.
12. The trimmer razor as claimed in claim 1, wherein a shaving gap is defined between a front edge of the cover and a front edge of the seat.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a razor in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure;
(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a head of the razor of FIG. 1 in an open position without a razor blade;
(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the head of the razor of FIG. 1 in an open position with a razor blade inserted therein;
(4) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the head of the razor of FIG. 1 in a closed position;
(5) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the head of the razor of FIG. 1 in the closed position;
(6) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the head of the razor of FIG. 1 in the open position;
(7) FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the head of the razor of FIG. 1 in the open position;
(8) FIG. 8 is a side view of a head of a razor according to one aspect of the present disclosure;
(9) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a razor according to another aspect of the present disclosure;
(10) FIG. 10 is a top view of a head of the razor of FIG. 9 without a razor blade held thereon;
(11) FIG. 11 is a top view of the head of the razor of FIG. 9 with a razor blade held thereon;
(12) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a razor according to another aspect of the present disclosure;
(13) FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a head of a razor according to another aspect of the present disclosure; and
(14) FIG. 14 is a top view of a razor blade used with the razor of the present application.
(15) FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of a razor in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure;
(16) FIG. 16 is a rear view of the razor of FIG. 15;
(17) FIG. 17 is a side view of the razor of FIG. 15;
(18) FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional side view of a head of the razor of FIG. 15;
(19) FIG. 19 is a front view of the head of the razor of FIG. 15 with the head in an open position;
(20) FIG. 20 is a side view of the head of the razor of FIG. 15 with the head in the open position;
(21) FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of the head of the razor of FIG. 15 with the head in the open position; and
(22) FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of the head of the razor of FIG. 15 with the head in the open position and a razor blade positioned therein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
(23) For purposes of the description hereinafter, spatial orientation terms, as used, shall relate to the referenced aspect as it is oriented in the accompanying drawings, figures, or otherwise described in the following detailed description. However, it is to be understood that the aspects described hereinafter may assume many alternative variations and configurations. It is also to be understood that the specific components, devices, features, and operational sequences illustrated in the accompanying drawings, figures, or otherwise described herein are simply exemplary and should not be considered as limiting.
(24) The present disclosure is directed to, in general, a razor and, in particular, a trimmer razor with replaceable blades. Certain preferred and non-limiting aspects of the components of the trimmer razor are illustrated in FIGS. 1-14.
(25) With reference to FIGS. 1-7, one aspect of a trimmer razor 2 (hereinafter referred to as “razor 2”) is described. The razor 2 may include a handle 4 and a head 6. In one aspect, the head 6 is held stationary relative to the handle 4. In another aspect, the head 6 may be pivotable or rotatable relative to or about the handle 4. The head 6 may have a substantially rectangular shape. In one aspect, the handle 4 may have a substantially cylindrical cross-sectional shape. However, it is also contemplated that alternative shapes may be used, such as triangular, oval, square, or trapezoidal. The handle 4 may include different types of surfaces, including small protrusions, bumps, waves, or indentations 8, to provide a comforting ergonomic feel when held by an individual.
(26) With reference to FIG. 2, in one aspect, the head 6 includes a base member 10 operatively connected to the handle 4, as described below, a seat 12 formed on the base member 10, and a cover 14 operatively connected to the base member 10 and the handle 4. The base member 10 is substantially cylindrical and is dimensioned to fit around an outer surface of one end of the handle 4. In one aspect, the inner diameter of the base member 10 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the end of the handle 4 so the base member 10 fits around the outer surface of the end of the handle 4. The seat 12 is formed on the base member 10 and extends from an upper surface of the base member 10. The seat 12 is configured to receive and hold a razor blade 16 within the razor 2. The seat 12 includes a guard member 22 that extends along the length of a front end of the seat 12. In one aspect, at least two protrusions 24a, 24b extend from an upper surface of the seat 12. The protrusions 24a, 24b assist in positioning the razor blade 16 in a proper orientation on the seat 12. The protrusions 24a, 24b are positioned on the seat 12 so that the razor blade 16 rests against the protrusions 24a, 24b and extends from the head 6 to allow shaving with the razor blade 16. The protrusions 24a, 24b also assist in retaining and holding the razor blade 16 within the head 6 so that the razor blade 16 does not slide out of the head 6. The protrusions 24a, 24b may constrain the razor blade 16 in two degrees of freedom on the seat 12. As shown in FIG. 2, a magnet 25 may also be provided in an aperture defined in the seat 12 to assist in securing the razor blade 16 within the head 6. The magnet 25 also assists in holding the razor blade 16 to the seat 12 while the user aligns the razor blade 16 with the protrusions 24a, 24b. Although the use of only one magnet 25 is shown with the razor 2, it is also contemplated that additional magnets may be provided in the seat 12 and/or the cover 14 to assist in holding the razor blade 16 within the head 6.
(27) In one aspect, the blade 16 is formed from a double-edged razor blade. An example of such a double-edge razor blade 16 is shown in FIG. 14. As used herein, the “shaving edge” or like terms of the razors of the present invention refers to a leading surface or portion of the head 6, such that, when in use, the shaving edge is followed by the exposed razor edges 18 that contact a user's skin. Typically, double-edged razor blades include two opposing razor edges 18 connected by a weak or thin body member 20 that defines a perimeter profile and a profiled cut-out. The razor blade 16 is shown as a conventional double-edged blade, but this is not meant to be limiting. It should be appreciated that the razor edge 18 of the razor blade 16 includes an outermost edge for contacting skin with the razor edge 18 tapering from the razor body 20. Other embodiments of razor blades (single-edged and double-edged) with various perimeter profiles and/or central cut-out profiles are encompassed within the present invention. Presently, many manufacturers make these types of double-edged razor blades that use a standardized shape to fit in traditional safety razors. In one aspect, the blade 16 of the razor 2 may be this type of double-edged blade. By “weak and thin”, it is meant that the blades are typically designed so that an individual can break a double-edged razor blade in half by hand, splitting along a centerline of the profile cut-out. By breaking the double-edged razor blades in half, two “half blades” or two halves of the double-edged razor blade are provided. Each half may include one razor edge 18. It is also to be understood that the “half blades” may be provided in this initial form, without the need for breaking a double-edged razor blade in half. While it is contemplated that any type of double-edged razor blade may be used with the razor 2, it is also contemplated that specific “half blades” may be designed and configured to custom fit in the seat 12 and cover 14 of the head 6.
(28) With reference to FIGS. 3-7, the cover 14 of the head 6 is slidable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the cover 14 is positioned for removal and/or insertion of a razor blade 16 within the head 6. In the closed position, the cover 14 is positioned to hold the razor blade 16 within the head 6 to permit a user to shave with the razor 2. The cover 14 extends along the head 6 to substantially cover the razor blade 16 when the razor blade 16 is held within the head 6. In one aspect, the cover 14 includes two extension members 26a, 26b that extend from a bottom surface of the cover 14 and are received within the seat 12. The extension members 26a, 26b are slidably positioned within the seat 12 to guide the cover 14 when moving relative to the seat 12.
(29) With reference to FIGS. 4-7, an extension arrangement 28 is provided between the cover 14, the base member 10, and the handle 4 to assist in moving the cover 14 relative to the seat 12. The extension arrangement 28 includes a screw member 30 and a fastener 32. One end of the screw member 30 is threaded into and held within the handle 4. The top end of the handle 4 defines a cavity 34 that includes a threaded inner surface to receive one end of the screw member 30. A second end of the screw member 30 is threaded into a threaded aperture 36 defined in the base member 10. The extension arrangement 28 is operatively connected to the cover 14 using the fastener 32. The fastener 32 is inserted through an aperture 38 defined in the cover 14 and received in a cavity 40 defined in the screw member 30. The cavity 40 is defined by an upper end of the screw member 30. The fastener 32 is held in the cavity 40 of the screw member 30 via a friction fit. It is also contemplated that the fastener 32 may be welded or molded within the cavity 40 of the screw member 30. When assembled, the fastener 32 is positioned within the extension arrangement 28 to clamp the cover 14 between the fastener 32 and the base member 10.
(30) With continued reference to FIGS. 4-7, operation of the extension arrangement 28 is described. As the handle 4 is rotated, the screw member 30 moves through the aperture 36 to raise or lower the cover 14 relative to the seat 12. In one aspect, when the handle 4 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the screw member 30 is moved upwardly through the aperture 36. The screw member 30 moves upwardly through the aperture 36 until the upper end of the handle 4 contacts the base member 10. Since the cover 14 is clamped between the fastener 32 and the screw member 30, as the screw member 30 moves upwardly through the aperture 36, the cover 14 is also raised upwardly relative to the seat 12. By raising the cover 14 relative to the seat 12, the head 6 is moved to the open position to allow a user to remove and/or insert a razor blade 16 on the seat 12 of the head 6.
(31) In one aspect, as the handle 4 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the screw member 30 is moved downwardly through the aperture 36. The screw member 30 moves downwardly through the aperture 36 until the bottom surface of the cover 14 contacts the base member 10. Since the cover 14 is clamped between the fastener 32 and the screw member 30, as the screw member 30 moves downwardly through the aperture 36, the cover 14 is also moved downwardly relative to the seat 12. By lowering the cover 14 relative to the seat 12, the head 6 is moved to the closed position to clamp the razor blade 16 against the seat 12 within the head 6.
(32) The razor 2 provides a trimmer razor that can be used separate from conventional cartridge razors and uses low cost thin metal blades, such as the double edged blade. The razor 2 includes a low profile to provide better access to hard-to-reach areas, as well as provide better visualization of where the razor blades 16 will shave on the user's skin surface to produce fine and more accurate shaving lines. Since the razor 2 is decoupled from any other blades used to shave a user's skin surface, the razor blade 16 installed in the razor 2 lasts much longer than traditional trimmer blades incorporated within multi-blade razor cartridges. This longevity of the trimmer razor 2, coupled with the type of blades that are used in the razor 2, provide a low ongoing cost to the user to use such a trimmer razor 2.
(33) As shown in FIG. 8, the razor 2 accepts the razor blade 16 and places the blade 16 in a precise and repeatable position that allows the user to shave comfortably with the blade 16 in an optimal position for hair removal from the user's skin surface. The outer surface of the cover 14 and the seat 12 create a shave plane 42 that is configured to assist the user in positioning the razor 2 in the correct orientation on the user's skin surface. By pressing the shave plane 42 against the user's skin surface, the blade 16 is oriented in a shaving position so that the blade 16 shaves the user's hair. Conventional double-edged razors have a curved shave plane surface, necessitating the need to hold the razor at a precise angle while shaving. Some users find this additional level of control to be difficult and time consuming. The razor 2 of the present disclosure provides a substantially flat or planar shave plane 42 that the user's skin surface conforms to, making the task of holding the razor 2 at the correct angle less important. This makes the user of the razor 2 of the present disclosure easier than the use of conventional double-edged razors and reduces the chances of nicks, cuts, and skin irritation. In one aspect, the seat 12 also provides a shaving gap 44 between the leading edge of the cover 14 and the leading edge of the seat 12. The leading edges of the seat 12 and the cover 14 are considered to be the edges of the seat 12 and cover 14 that contact the user's skin surface when using the razor 2. The size of the shaving gap 44 determines the amount of the user's skin surface that is exposed to the razor blade 16 prior to the razor edge 18 of the razor blade 16 contacting the user's skin surface.
(34) With reference to FIG. 9-11, in another aspect of the disclosure, a razor 2′ includes a different clamping mechanism to hold the razor blade 16 within the head 6′. This aspect of the razor 2′ does not utilize the extension arrangement 28 to move the cover 14′ relative to the seat 12′. Instead, two fasteners 46a, 46b extend through the cover 14′ and into the seat 12′. In one aspect, the fasteners 46a, 46b are screws that can be rotated to tighten and clamp the cover 14′ to the seat 12′. The fasteners 46a, 46b can be unscrewed to move the cover 14′ to an open position to permit the user to remove and/or insert the razor blade 16 into the head 6′. The fasteners 46a, 46b can also be screwed and tightened to clamp the razor blade 16 between the seat 12′ and the cover 14′. Although screws are used as the fasteners 46a, 46b in FIG. 9, it is also contemplated that other types of fasteners can be used to tighten and loosen the cover 14′ to the seat 12′. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the razor 2′ also includes similar protrusions 24a′, 24b′ to constrain the razor blade 16 in two degrees of freedom. As shown in FIG. 12, in another aspect, the razor 2″ the ends of the cover 14″ are extended over the ends of the razor blade 16 to prevent the user from cutting him/herself on the sides of the razor blade 16. In this aspect, the length of the cover 14″ is substantially equal to the length of the razor blade 16 and the length of the seat 12″ As shown in FIG. 12, the razor 2″ also includes similar protrusions 24a″, 24b″ to constrain the razor blade 16 in two degrees of freedom. The seat 12″ may include a guard member 22″ that extends along the length of a front end of the seat 12″.
(35) With reference to FIG. 13, another aspect of a razor 2′″ is described. In this aspect, instead of using the extension arrangement 28 or the fasteners 46a, 46b to clamp the cover 14′″ to the seat 12′″, a pair of locking tabs 48a, 48b extend from the ends of the cover 14′″ to hold the cover 14′″ to the seat 12′″. The locking tabs 48a, 48b extend downward from a top surface of the cover 14′″ towards the seat 12′″. One end of each locking tab 48a, 48b includes a locking hook 50a, 50b that is used to latch the locking tabs 48a, 48b on the seat 12′″. In one aspect, the locking hooks 50a, 50b latch onto a bottom surface of the seat 12′″. In another aspect, the locking hooks 50a, 50b latch onto a protrusion that extends from the seat 12′″. In one aspect, the locking tabs 48a, 48b are at least partially elastic to permit a user to bend the locking tabs 48a, 48b outwards away from the seat 12′″ to move the cover 14′″ onto the seat 12′″. After the cover 14′″ has been clamped on the seat 12′″, the locking tabs 48a, 48b are released to snap back into place and lock the cover 14′″ in the clamping position against the seat 12′″ to hold the razor blade 16 therebetween. It is also contemplated that the user may press down on the upper surface of the cover 14′″, thereby forcing the locking tabs 48a, 48b to move outwardly until the locking hooks 50a, 50b latch onto the seat 12′″. As shown in FIG. 13, in this aspect, the cover 14′″ is connected to the seat 12′″ via a hinge 52. In this aspect, the cover 14′″ is rotatable relative to the seat 12′″ to permit access to the seat 12′″ for removing and/or replacing the razor blade 16 therein. It is also contemplated that the cover 14′″ is only held on the seat 12′″ using the locking tabs 48a, 48b. As shown in FIG. 13, the razor 2′″ also includes similar protrusions 24a′″, 24b′″ to constrain the razor blade 16 in two degrees of freedom.
(36) While aspects of a razor are shown in the accompanying figures and described hereinabove in detail, other aspects will be apparent to, and readily made by, those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. The invention described hereinabove is defined by the appended claims and all changes to the invention that fall within the meaning and the range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. It is also contemplated that any feature from one aspect of the disclosure may be incorporated with the features of any other aspect of the disclosure.
