Adjustable head razor

Abstract

A safety razor is provided having a blade head capable of having an adjustable angle relative to a grasping handle and an adjustability of tension of a pivot to the blade. The blade head is connected by an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the blade head that is substantially enclosed within a conduit formed within the grasping handle. The blade head is angularly adjustable between an angle >95° from a linear centerline of the handle to about 22° from the linear centerline of the handle. A blade head adapter may be further provided to allow for attachment and use of alternate existing blade head cartridges.

Claims

1. An adjustable head safety razor comprising: a handle, the handle provides a grasping handle portion; a blade head assembly capable of having an adjustable angle relative to a grasping handle; a frame terminating a distal end of the handle, the frame providing a support for a razor cartridge; and an adjustability of tension of the pivot to the blade head assembly comprising: a support yoke that connects at a proximal end to a proximal terminus of the handle via a tension adjustment; wherein the tension adjustment mechanism further comprises: an ejector bow connecting an ejector linkage via a distally terminated ejector linkage adapter; a tension assembly axle supported within the yoke by connection at a first end to a sliding tensioner linkage and at a second end to a fixed tensioner linkage; a tensioner follower pivotally supported onto the tensioner assembly axle; a tensioner cone assembly; a tension control linkage linearly adjusted in a reciprocating manner by the tension adjustment knob such that the distal terminus of the tension control linkage is urged against the tension followers and the tension followers are subsequently urged against the tensioner cone assembly such as to provide a greater or lesser impingement force; an angle adjustment mechanism; and a blade ejection mechanism.

2. The adjustable head safety razor of claim 1, further comprising an attachment adapter for connection between said frame and said razor cartridge.

3. The adjustable head safety razor of claim 1, wherein said handle provides a generally linear elongated grasping mechanism for facilitating manual manipulation of a razor cutting surface supported at a distal terminus.

4. The adjustable head safety razor of claim 3, wherein said handle forms a generally tubular internal conduit for communication of mechanical linkages.

5. The adjustable head safety razor of claim 1, wherein said handle forms a generally tubular internal conduit for communication of mechanical linkages.

6. The adjustable head safety razor of claim 1, wherein the razor cartridge is supported on a blade assembly axle; wherein the cartridge may be angularly adjustable relative to a general linear centerline of the handle.

7. The adjustable head safety razor of claim 1, wherein the razor cartridge pivots about the blade assembly axle via a spring tension, said spring tension being variably adjusted.

8. The adjustable head safety razor of claim 7, wherein the tension may be adjusted essentially by increasing an impingement force of a tension control linkage against tension followers that include a pair of aligned spring elements that travel over an outer cone surface of the tensioner cone assembly, wherein such spring impingement provides an adjustable angular tension to the blade cartridge.

9. The adjustable head safety razor of claim 8, further comprising an adjustable angle position of the blade cartridge.

10. The adjustable head safety razor of claim 9, where the angle adjustment mechanism comprises an angle control linkage spanning between an angle adjustment knob and a blade assembly axle, said blade assembly axle supported at a first end at a sliding blade assembly linkage and at a second end at a fixed blade assembly linkage, wherein adjustment of the angle control linkage is accomplished by a linear reciprocation as urged by an adjustment knob.

11. The adjustable head safety razor of claim 10, wherein the blade head is angularly adjustable between an angle greater than 95° from a linear centerline of the handle to about 22° from the linear centerline of the handle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable head safety razor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof; and

(4) FIG. 3 is a side elevational view thereof depicting adjustability of the angle for the blade head.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(5) The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures. It should be understood that the legal scope of the description is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent and that the detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims.

(6) It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term by limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word “means” and a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f).

(7) The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures.

(8) 1. Detailed Description of the Figures

(9) Referring now to FIG. 1 through FIG. 2, wherein like reference numerals indicate the same parts throughout the several views, an adjustable head safety razor, generally noted as 10, is shown according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The safety razor 10 generally includes a handle 20, a frame 30 terminating a distal end of the handle 20, a razor cartridge 40 supported on the frame 30, a tension adjustment 50, an angle adjustment 60, and a blade ejection mechanism 70.

(10) The handle 20 provides a generally linear elongated grasping mechanism for facilitating manual manipulation of the razor cutting surface supported at a distal terminus. The handle 20 may include various otherwise conventional grip enhancement features, including a slight curvature or surface texture or facets. The handle 20 may be generally tubular such as to provide an internal conduit 22 for communication of mechanical linkages as will be described in greater detail below.

(11) The frame 30 may provide a support for the razor cartridge 40. The frame 30 may include a support yoke 301 that connects at a proximal end 302 to the proximal terminus of the handle 20 via the tension adjustment 50. An ejector bow 303 connects to an ejector linkage 304 via a distally terminated ejector linkage adapter 305. A tension assembly axle 306 is supported within the yoke 301 by connection at a first end to a sliding tensioner linkage 307 and at a second end to a fixed tensioner linkage 308. A tensioner follower 309 is pivotally supported onto the tensioner assembly axle 306. A tensioner cone assembly 310. A tension control linkage 311 is linearly adjusted in a reciprocating manner by tension adjustment knob 50 such that the distal terminus of the tension control linkage 311 is urged against the tension followers 309. The tension followers 309 are subsequently urged against the tensioner cone assembly 310 such as to provide a greater or lesser impingement force.

(12) The razor cartridge 40 may be supported on a blade assembly axle 401. The razor cartridge 40 may be angularly adjustable relative to a general linear centerline of the handle 20. The razor cartridge 40 may further have pivot about the blade assembly axle 401 via a spring tension. Such spring tension may be variably adjusted. Such spring tension adjustment may be provided as described herein. The razor cartridge 40 may further be ejected so as to remove and reattach a new razor cartridge 40.

(13) As shown, in a preferred embodiment the razor cartridge 40 may be provided in a manner that the cartridge 40 releasably affixed directly to the supporting tension/pivot assembly. However, is should be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the relevant art, in light of the present teachings, that a connection adapter 41 may be further incorporated such as to allow the connection and use of otherwise commercially available razor cartridges to be functionally connected to and used with the pivoting, tension and release mechanisms taught herein.

(14) As described above, the tension adjustment 50 may further comprise an adjustment knob or similar or equivalent. Tension may be adjusted essentially by increasing an impingement force of a tension control linkage 311 against tension followers 309. The tension followers 309 may include a pair of aligned spring elements 319 that travel over an outer cone surface of the tensioner cone assembly 310. Such spring impingement may provide and adjustable angular tension to the blade cartridge 40.

(15) In addition to a primary aspect of the present invention in having an adjustable blade cartridge pivoting tension, a secondary aspect includes an adjustable angle position of the blade cartridge 40. The angle adjustment 60 may include an angle control linkage spanning between an angle adjustment knob 60 and the blade assembly axle 401. The blade assembly axle 401 may support at a first end to a sliding blade assembly linkage 403 and at a second end to a fixed blade assembly linkage 404. Adjustment of the angle control linkage 402 may be adjusted linearly in a reciprocating adjustable manner by the adjustment knob 60. As described in greater detail below, urging of the angle control linkage 402 distally will urge the razor cartridge 40 to be rotated outwardly about the blade assembly axle 401. Alternately, urging of the angle control linkage 402 proximally will urge the razor cartridge 40 to be rotated inwardly about the blade assembly axle 401.

(16) Finally, a blade ejection mechanism 70, such as an ejection button or similar or equivalent structure, may urge the ejector linkage 304 such that the ejector linkage adapter 305 moves the ejector bow 303. Movement of the ejector bow 303 may result in urging of the yoke 301 inward and thereby result in the release of the razor cartridge 40 from the blade assembly axle 401. Ejection of the blade cartridge 40 allows for a user to remove worn blade assemblies and replace with a new blade assembly as desired.

(17) 2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment

(18) In operation as best shown in conjunction with FIG. 3, the razor 10 may be used in an otherwise conventional manner but having the blade cartridge 40 configurably adjustable. The blade head 40 may adjust angularly so at to be nearly parallel to the linear centerline of the handle (i.e., >95°) to a most perpendicular angle (i.e., about 22°). A blade cartridge neutral angle may be about 45°. By manually adjusting the blade angle a user may more easily manually manipulate the shaving head in order to reach various surfaces and extremities about the body. By way of examples, and not meant as limitations, reaching to a user's legs may be better facilitated by a more parallel angle, while shaving one's face may be better facilitated by a more neutral 45° angle. Similarly, reaching one's back, head, armpits, etc. can similarly be facilitated by selection of a most desired blade head angle.

(19) Additionally, the pivoting tension of the blade cartridge 40 may be further adjusted. Such tension adjustment at various angles may further facilitate an overall more comfortable and effective shaving experience.

(20) The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. The Title, Background, Summary, Brief Description of the Drawings and Abstract of the disclosure are hereby incorporated into the disclosure and are provided as illustrative examples of the disclosure, not as restrictive descriptions. It is submitted with the understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the Detailed Description, it can be seen that the description provides illustrative examples and the various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed configuration or operation. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

(21) The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects described herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims and to encompass all legal equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirement of 35 U.S.C. § 101, 102, or 103, nor should they be interpreted in such a way. Any unintended embracement of such subject matter is hereby disclaimed. They are not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to precise forms disclosed and, obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments are chosen and described in order to best explain principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and its various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that a scope of the invention be defined broadly by the Drawings and Specification appended hereto and to their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is in no way to be limited only by any adverse inference under the rulings of Warner-Jenkinson Company, v. Hilton Davis Chemical, 520 U.S. 17 (1997) or Festo Corp. v. Shoketsu Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Co., 535 U.S. 722 (2002), or other similar caselaw or subsequent precedent should not be made if any future claims are added or amended subsequent to this Patent Application.