RAZOR CARTRIDGE CONNECTION AND HANDLE

Abstract

A connector for a razor handle having first and second arms, each arm comprising a fixed end, a terminal end where the terminal end has a razor cartridge engagement member movable from a capture position to a release position, a first surface and an opposed second surface. An activator having an activation element acts on each arm for moving the arms toward each other into the release position when the activator is activated, and a biasing member that acts on each arm for biasing the arms outwardly into the capture position. The activation element acts on the arms between the fixed end and the terminal end on the first surface of the arms and the biasing member acts on the arms between the fixed end and the terminal end on the second surface of the arms.

Also, a handle having the connecter and a method of making the razor handle.

Claims

1. A razor cartridge connector comprising a. first and second arms, each arm comprising a fixed end, a terminal end, a first surface and a second surface opposed to the first surface, wherein the terminal end comprises a razor cartridge engagement member movable from a capture position for capturing a razor cartridge to a release position for releasing the razor cartridge; b. an activator comprising an activation element associated with each of the first and second arms for moving the first and second arms toward each other into the release position when the activator is activated; and c. a biasing member for biasing the arms outwardly into the capture position, wherein the activation element acts upon the first and second arms between the fixed end and the terminal end on the first surface of the arms and the biasing member acts upon the arms between the fixed end and the terminal end the second surface of the arms.

2. The razor cartridge connector of claim 1 wherein the first and second arms are formed as a unitary part with the fixed ends of the arms coupled.

3. The razor cartridge connector of claim 1 comprising a housing having an exterior and an interior, wherein the fixed ends of the arms and the biasing member are enclosed within the interior of the housing and the terminal ends of the arms extend to the exterior of the housing, with the razor cartridge engagement member on the exterior of the housing.

4. The razor cartridge connector of claim 3 wherein the housing comprises two or more housing panels.

5. The razor cartridge connector of claim 4 wherein at least one of the housing panels is an integral part of a razor handle and at least one of the housing panels is a cover.

6. The razor cartridge connector of claim 4, wherein the activator is slidingly affixed on an exterior surface of a first housing panel with the activation element extending into the interior of the housing.

7. The razor cartridge connector of claim 6, wherein the fixed ends of the arms are fixed to an interior surface of a second housing panel.

8. The razor cartridge connector of claim 1, further comprising a biasing element for biasing the razor cartridge into a rest orientation.

9. The razor cartridge connector of claim 8 wherein the biasing element is distinct from the biasing member.

10. The razor cartridge connector of claim 9, wherein the biasing element comprises a spring loaded plunger that reciprocates within an opening on a housing panel on which the plunger is mounted.

11. The razor cartridge connector of claim 1, wherein the razor cartridge engagement member comprises an arced surface corresponding to a receiver for an arced surface on the razor cartridge for pivotal capture of the razor cartridge.

12. The razor cartridge connector of claim 1, wherein the razor cartridge engagement member on one of the first and second arms comprises at least one of a key and a keyway, corresponding to the other of a keyway and a key on the razor cartridge, for proper orientation of the razor cartridge on the connector.

13. The razor cartridge connector of claim 4, wherein at least one of the housing panels comprises a stop for limiting outward movement of the arms.

14. The razor cartridge connector of claim 7, wherein the second housing panel comprises a boss on which the fixed end of at least one arm is mounted.

15. The razor cartridge connector of claim 4, wherein at least two of the two or more housing panels are attached to form at least part of the housing.

16. The razor cartridge connector of claim 15, wherein the at least two housing panels are attached by means taken from the group consisting of bosses and corresponding openings, sonic welding, an adhesive, a fastener, a snap, a latch, and combinations thereof.

17. The razor cartridge connector of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is oriented perpendicular to the elongated axis of the handle.

18. The razor cartridge connector of claim 1, wherein the arms further comprise a boss on the second surface that is engaged by the biasing member to maintain the biasing member in a proper position.

19. A razor handle comprising the connector of claim 1.

20. A method of manufacturing a razor handle comprising, in no particular order, the steps of: a. providing a first housing panel to form a part of a housing; b. providing a second housing panel that is adapted to attach to the first housing panel to form a part of the housing; c. attaching an activator having an activation member to one of the first and second housing panels, wherein said housing panel comprises elongated openings for receiving the activator; d. attaching a pair of opposed arms with first and second surfaces to one of the first and second housing panels, wherein the activation member acts on the first surface of each of the arms; e. inserting a biasing member to act on the second surfaces of the arms to bias the arms into an outward capture position; f. attaching a biasing element to at least one of the housing panels, wherein the biasing element that is not the biasing member acts on the second surfaces of the arms; and g. attaching the first and second housing panels to close the housing.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein one of the housing panels is integrally formed on a razor handle.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein one of the housing panels is attached to a razor handle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present invention will be better understood when considered in view of the attached drawings, in which like reference characters indicate like parts. The drawings, however, are presented merely to illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention without limiting the invention in any manner whatsoever.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred razor cartridge connector according to the present invention, including a razor cartridge biasing element.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a razor cartridge held on the connector according to the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a housing panel on which the activator is attached, with the activation element extending into the interior of the housing.

[0024] FIG. 4 is an exploded assembly view of a preferred arrangement and method of assembly of the connector according to the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a plan view of an alternative razor cartridge connector according to the present invention, including a razor cartridge biasing element.

[0026] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the razor connector and a razor cartridge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0027] A preferred embodiment of the razor cartridge connector 2 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 4 comprises first and second arms 4, each arm 4 comprising a fixed end 6 and a terminal end 8 wherein the terminal end 8 comprises a razor cartridge engagement member 10 movable from a capture position to a release position, and opposed first and second surfaces 18 and 20. In the preferred embodiment, first surfaces 18 correspond to the surfaces of the arms 4 that face away from each other at the terminal ends 8 and second surfaces 20 correspond to the surfaces of the arms 4 that face each other at the terminal ends 8.

[0028] An activator 12 comprises an activation element 14 associated with the first surface 18 of each arm 4, for moving the arms 4 toward each other into the release position when the activator 12 is activated. A biasing member 16, for biasing the arms 4 outwardly into the capture position, acts on the second surface 20 of each arm 4 to maintain the arms 4 in the capture position. The activation element 14 engages the first surface 18 of each arm 4 between the fixed end 6 and the terminal end 8, and the biasing member 16 engages the second surface 20 of each arm 4 between the fixed end 6 and the terminal end 8.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the connector 2 of a preferred embodiment is set in a housing 22 comprising a main housing panel 24, which is preferably integrated with a razor handle 30, and a cover housing panel 26 that is fit onto the main housing panel 24. The fixed end 6 of each arm 4 is located within the housing 22, fixing the arms 4 to a point within the housing 22, and the terminal end 8 of each arm 4 extends to the exterior of the housing 22, to capture the razor cartridge 28.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the fixed ends 6 of the arms 4 are fixed within the housing 22 on the interior of the cover housing panel 26 and the activator 12 is fixed on the exterior of the main housing panel 24.

[0031] The activator 12 is preferably attached to the cover housing panel 26 by snap-in barbed extensions 38 that pass thorough elongated catch apertures 40 and engage an interior surface of the cover housing panel 26. Guide bosses 42 on the bottom of the activator 12 fit within elongated guide apertures 44 to ensure that the activator 12 slides accurately on the housing 22, without twisting.

[0032] The activation element 14 of the activator 12 preferably comprises two posts passing through elongated activation apertures 34 in the main housing panel 24, and engage the arms 4 when the housing 22 is closed. It is noted that each of the catch apertures 40, guide apertures 44 and activation apertures 34 on the housing 22 are elongated, so that the activator 12 is movable from the capture position to the release position.

[0033] In this preferred embodiment, the fixed ends 6 of the arms 4 are fixed to the interior of the cover housing panel 26 by friction fit over a frame boss 32 with a center opening 33 on the cover housing panel 26. The biasing member 16 is preferably disposed perpendicular to the axis of the elongated handle 30 and fits on bosses on the second surfaces 20 of the arms 4 to ensure that the biasing member 16 maintains proper engagement with the arms 4 while moving between the capture position and the release position. Stop elements 36 are preferably included on the cover housing panel 24 to limit the outward travel of the outwardly biased arms 4.

[0034] The connector 2 is preferably used with a razor cartridge 28 that pivots in a direction P that is perpendicular to the elongated axis of the handle (see FIG. 2). In such an embodiment, the razor handle 30 includes a biasing element 45, preferably in the form of a spring loaded plunger comprising a plunger 46 with an associated spring 48 for biasing the razor cartridge 28 into a rest position, where the biasing element operates independently of the biasing member 16 of the connector 2.

[0035] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the plunger 46 and spring 48 are coupled to the cover housing panel 26 with the arms 4 and biasing member 16 of the connector. The leading end of the plunger 46 reciprocates through an opening in a faceplate 50 on the cover housing panel 24 to contact a cam surface 60 on the razor cartridge 28. The cover housing panel 24 preferably includes a channel 52 in which the spring 48 that biases the plunger 46 resides. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the channel 52 preferably comprises a gap 54 across which the biasing member 16 passes and an end stop 56 against which the plunger spring 48 is held. In this way, the biasing member 16 acts independently of the biasing element 45.

[0036] In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the connector 2 comprises independent arms 4 with fixed ends 6 that are preferably fixed to separate arm bosses 70 on the interior of the housing 22. In this embodiment, the activation element 14 and a pusher 15 forming part of the biasing element 45 define a passage on a shared component of the activator 12, where the arms 4 pass through the passage. When the activator 12 is at rest, the pusher 15 of the biasing member 16 acts upon the second surface 20 of each arm 4 to bias the arms 4 outwardly into the capture position. When the activator 12 is activated, the activation element 14 is forced against the first surfaces 18 of each arm 4 to move the arms 4 into the release position.

[0037] In this alternative embodiment, the biasing member 16 is similarly a separate element from the biasing element 45, i.e., the biasing spring 48 that biases the plunger 46 illustrated is independent of the biasing member 16. Notwithstanding, the preferred alternative embodiment of FIG. 5 is shown with a biasing member 16 that is oriented along the axis of the elongated handle 30, where it fits around the spring 48 that biases the plunger 46 of the biasing element 45. Of course, as described above, other biasing means can be used for one or both of the biasing member and the biasing element.

[0038] The razor cartridge engagement members 10 on each of the terminal ends 8 of the arms 4 interact with cooperating structure on the razor cartridge 28 to securely hold the razor cartridge 28 on the handle 30. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the preferred cartridge engagement members 10 comprise outward arced extensions of a defined thickness that are received within an arced slot 56 within posts 58 mounted on the back of the razor cartridge 28, thereby allowing the razor cartridge 28 to pivot on the cartridge engagement members 10. To ensure that the razor cartridge 28 is properly oriented on the handle 30, the cartridge engagement member 10 on one arm 4 comprises a key 62 that mates with a keyway 64 on the razor cartridge 28 (see FIGS. 4 and 6). As such, the cartridge 28 can only fit on the connector 2 in a correct orientation.

[0039] When the cartridge engagement members 10 of the connector 2 engage the razor cartridge 28, the biasing member 16 forces the arms 4 outwardly to maintain the arms 4 in the capture position. Once the razor cartridge 28 is connected to the connector 2 on the handle 30, the biasing element 45 biases the razor cartridge 28 in its rest position. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the cam surface 60 on the razor cartridge 28 is acted upon by the biasing element 45 to bias the razor cartridge 28 in the rest position.

[0040] When the razor cartridge 28 is to be released, the activator 12 is deployed so that the activation element 14 pushes against the first surface 18 of each arm 4 to force the arms 4 inwardly into the release position. This disengages the cartridge engagement members 10 from the arced slots 56 of the razor cartridge 28 and allows the razor cartridge 28 to be removed from the connector 2. When the activator 12 is released, the biasing force on the second surface 20 of each arm 4 pushes against the activation element 14 to move the activator 12 back to the rest position, where the arms 4 are maintained in the capture position.

[0041] The preferred method of manufacturing a handle 30 with the preferred connector 2 of the present invention includes the steps of snap-fitting the activator 12 onto an exterior wall of a housing panel 24 or 26, so that the activator 12 is slidingly locked onto the exterior of the housing panel 24 or 26 with the activation element 14 passing through elongated openings 34 into the interior of the housing 22. The fixed ends 6 of the arms 4 are then fixed on a housing panel 24 or 26, which can be either the same or a different housing panel as that to which the activator 12 is fixed, with the terminal ends 8 of the arms 4 extending to the exterior of the housing 22. The biasing member 16 is placed between the arms 4 for biasing the arms 4 in a capture position. The plunger 46 and biasing element 48 of the biasing element 45 are then affixed to one of the housing panels 24 or 26 and the housing panels 24 and 26 are coupled to enclose the housing 22.

[0042] Notwithstanding the order of steps described above for manufacturing the connector 2 on a handle 30, it is understood that the steps do not need to be performed in any particular sequence.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the main housing panel 24 and the cover housing panel 26 are attached by cooperating attachment bosses 66 and attachment receivers 68 which are press fit to maintain the closed housing 22. In one embodiment, an attachment receiver 66 can be the center opening 33 of the frame boss 32 that fixes the unitary arms 4 (see FIG. 4). The housing panels 24 and 26 may then be attached, affixed or adhered, for example by sonic welding, mechanical fasteners or parts, adhesives or the like, including combinations thereof.

[0044] The arms 4 of the connector 2 can be formed of any suitable material, and are preferably made of an ABS plastic. In the preferred embodiment, the main housing panel is formed with the handle of a rigid material, and most preferably zinc, and the cover housing panel 26 is formed of an ABS plastic.

[0045] Variations, modifications and alterations to the preferred embodiment of the present invention described above will make themselves apparent to those skilled in the art. All such changes are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, limited solely by the appended claims.

[0046] Any and all patents and/or patent applications referred to herein are hereby incorporated by reference.