CN113146691B

CN113146691B - Shaving device

Info

Publication number: CN113146691B
Application number: CN202110190114.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 鲁艾丽德·罗伯特森; 大卫·卡彭特; 艾伦·肯尼思·斯特拉顿; 乔治·K·小博诺伊特
Original assignee: Badge Intellectual Property Holding Co
Current assignee: Badge Intellectual Property Development Co.
Priority date: 2015-08-05
Filing date: 2016-08-04
Publication date: 2023-04-07
Anticipated expiration: 2036-08-04
Also published as: JP2018526076A; CN113146691A; BR112018002413A2; WO2017024156A1; EP3331671A1; EP3680075A1; CN108235699B; JP7289428B2; BR112018002413B1; EP3331671A4; JP6932383B2; EP3331671B1; JP2021184814A; CA2994679A1; CN108235699A

Abstract

A shaving device comprising a head assembly including a support member having at least one support member magnet and a cartridge having at least one face with at least one shaving blade, the cartridge configured to be rotatably coupled to the support member about a pivot axis. The cartridge includes at least one cartridge magnet having a magnetic pole aligned with a magnetic pole of the support member magnet to produce a magnetic force that drives the cartridge about the pivot axis toward an Initial Starting Position (ISP), wherein the cartridge is further configured to rotate away from the ISP about the pivot axis upon application of an external force sufficient to overcome the magnetic force between the support member magnet and the cartridge magnet.

Description

Shaving device

This application is a divisional application of PCT application with application number CN 201680051393.6 (international application number PCT/US 2016/045591), entitled "shaving device" entering the chinese national phase, filed 2016/8/4/2016).

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application serial No. 15/135,485 filed on 21/4/2016, while U.S. patent application serial No. 15/135,485 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application serial No. 14/977,560 filed on 21/12/2015, while U.S. patent application serial No. 14/977,560 is itself a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application serial No. 14/873,857 filed on 2/2015, 2/20/2015 (now U.S. patent No. 9,259,846), while U.S. patent application serial No. 14/627,282 claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application serial No. 62/060,700 filed on 7/2014, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application serial No. 62/201,551 filed on 5.8.2015, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to personal grooming devices, and more particularly to personal shaving devices for shaving hair.

Background

Shaving blades are available in various forms. For example, the shaving razor may include a replaceable cartridge configured to be selectively coupled to the handle. The cartridge may include one or more blades disposed on a cutting surface of the replaceable cartridge. Once the blade becomes dulled, the user may disconnect the cartridge from the handle and reconnect a new cartridge.

Disclosure of Invention

There is provided a shaving device comprising: a head assembly comprising: a support member including a first magnet configured to generate a repulsive magnetic force with a second magnet of the handle to urge the head assembly toward the handle; and a cartridge configured to be pivotably coupled to the support member about a pivot axis, the cartridge having a first face and a second face, wherein at least one of the first face or the second face comprises at least one shaving blade; wherein the first magnet comprises one of a ring magnet or a central magnet, the second magnet comprises the other of the ring magnet and the central magnet, the ring magnet defining a central region configured to at least partially receive the central magnet.

The first magnet comprises a ring magnet and the second magnet comprises a central magnet.

The ring magnet includes a plurality of magnets arranged in a generally annular configuration.

The ring magnet includes one or more magnets configured to generate a magnetic field having magnetic field lines forming a substantially toroidal pattern.

The first magnet comprises a central magnet and the second magnet comprises a ring magnet.

One or more magnets are configured to be disposed at one or more of the cartridge and/or the support member, the one or more magnets configured to generate a magnetic biasing force to urge the cartridge toward an initial starting position.

The at least one magnet is configured to be disposed substantially at the base of the support member.

The ring magnet has opposing first and second surfaces, the first surface of the ring magnet having one of a positive or negative polarity and the second surface of the ring magnet having the other of the positive or negative polarity; the central magnet has opposing first and second surfaces, the first surface of the central magnet having one of a positive or negative polarity and the second surface of the central magnet having the other of the positive or negative polarity; wherein, when the support member is coupled to the handle, the central magnet is at least partially received within the central region of the ring magnet such that the first surface of the ring magnet is disposed closer to the first surface of the central magnet than the second surface of the ring magnet, and the polarity of the first surface of the ring magnet is opposite the polarity of the first surface of the central magnet; and wherein the second surface of the ring magnet is disposed closer to the second surface of the central magnet than the first surface of the ring magnet, and the polarity of the second surface of the ring magnet is opposite the polarity of the second surface of the central magnet, before the central magnet advances into the central region of the ring magnet.

The second surface of the ring magnet is disposed closer to the second surface of the central magnet than the first surface of the ring magnet before the central magnet advances into the central region of the ring magnet, and the second surface of the ring magnet is opposite in polarity to the second surface of the central magnet to generate an attractive magnetic force.

When the support member is coupled to the handle, the central magnet is partially received within the central region of the ring magnet such that the first surface of the central magnet is disposed closer to the first surface of the ring magnet than the second surface of the central magnet, and the first surface of the central magnet does not pass through a plane extending through the first surface of the ring magnet.

The handle includes a central magnet and the support member includes an annular magnet.

The handle includes an annular magnet and the support member includes a central magnet.

The handle includes a handle protrusion extending outwardly from the handle, the handle protrusion including a central magnet, and wherein the head assembly includes a head assembly chamber extending through a central region of the ring magnet and configured to receive the handle protrusion and the central magnet.

The shaving device further comprises a handle.

Drawings

The above-mentioned and other features of this disclosure and their implementation will become more apparent and better understood by referring to the following description of the embodiments described herein in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1A shows a front view of a partially assembled shaving device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the partially assembled shaving device of FIG. 1A having a twisted portion showing the head assembly generally parallel to the handle;

FIG. 1C illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the partially assembled shaving device of FIG. 1A having a twist, showing the head assembly at an angle α relative to the handle;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the partially assembled shaving device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the shaving device of FIG. 1A fully assembled with the extended pivot biasing mechanism;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the shaving device of FIG. 1A fully assembled with the retracted pivot biasing mechanism;

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a shaving device;

FIG. 6A shows a cross-sectional view of the handle of the shaving device of FIG. 6B taken along line 6-6;

fig. 6B shows a close-up of one embodiment of the cartridge pivot biasing mechanism;

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism according to FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism;

FIG. 9 illustrates yet another embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism;

FIG. 10 shows another view of the anti-pivot mechanism according to FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 shows another view of the anti-pivot mechanism according to FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 illustrates yet another embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 shows another view of the anti-pivot mechanism according to FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 illustrates yet another embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism according to the present disclosure;

16A and 16B illustrate other embodiments of an anti-pivot mechanism according to the present disclosure;

17A and 17B illustrate still further embodiments of an anti-pivot mechanism according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 generally illustrates one embodiment of a cartridge including an anti-pivot mechanism according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 generally illustrates one embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism taken along line 19-19 of FIG. 18, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 generally illustrates one embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 19, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIGS. 21 and 22 generally illustrate another embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism similar to FIGS. 19 and 20;

FIGS. 23 and 24 generally illustrate another embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism including a counterweight mechanism according to the present disclosure;

Figures 25-27 illustrate one embodiment of a twist and rotation mechanism according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 28 illustrates one embodiment of a cartridge centering mechanism;

FIG. 29 shows an embodiment of a cartridge centering mechanism according to FIG. 28;

fig. 30A shows an enlarged front view of a cartridge according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 30B shows an enlarged front view of a cartridge according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

figure 31 shows a cross-sectional view of a section of a cartridge including a retractable ball bearing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 32 shows a cross-sectional view of a section of a cartridge including a retractable ball bearing according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 33 shows a cross-sectional view of a section of a cartridge including a retractable ball bearing according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 34-35B show cross-sectional views of a cartridge including a self-lubricating retractable ball bearing/elongated ball bearing/needle roller according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 35C-35E illustrate various views of a retaining clip for securing a ball bearing within a cartridge;

35F-35H illustrate various views of a blade retention clip for securing one or more shaving blades within a cartridge;

Fig. 36 shows an enlarged front view of a cartridge according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 37 shows an enlarged front view of a cartridge according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 38 shows an end view of yet another embodiment of a cartridge according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 39 shows a perspective end view of the cartridge according to FIG. 38;

FIG. 40 shows an end view of one embodiment of a pivot pin/cylinder that may be used with one embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism in conjunction with the cartridge of FIGS. 38 and 39;

fig. 41 to 45 show further views according to fig. 38 to 40;

fig. 46 to 49 show further views of the shaving blade according to fig. 25 to 27;

fig. 50-52 show further views of a cartridge according to the present disclosure;

fig. 53 shows another view of a shaving blade according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 54 illustrates one embodiment of a shaving razor having an anti-wobble mechanism according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 55 shows a perspective view of another shaving device including another embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 56 shows a side view of the shaving device of FIG. 55 with an anti-pivot mechanism;

FIG. 57 illustrates a close-up side view of the shaving device of FIG. 55;

FIG. 58 illustrates another embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism;

fig. 59A illustrates the anti-pivot mechanism of fig. 58 wherein the cartridge support member is partially transparent;

FIG. 59B shows one arrangement of cartridge magnets and cartridge support member magnets;

FIG. 59C shows another arrangement of cartridge magnets and cartridge support member magnets;

FIG. 59D illustrates yet another arrangement of cartridge magnets and cartridge support member magnets;

FIG. 60 shows another view of the anti-pivot mechanism of FIG. 59A;

FIG. 61 shows another view of the cartridge support member of FIG. 58 wherein the cartridge support member is partially transparent;

FIG. 62 shows another view of the cartridge support member of FIG. 61 wherein the cartridge support member is solid;

FIG. 63 shows another view of the cartridge of FIG. 58, where the cartridge is partially transparent;

FIG. 64 shows another view of the cartridge of FIG. 63 in which the cartridge is partially solid;

FIG. 65 illustrates another embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism;

fig. 66 illustrates the anti-pivot mechanism of fig. 65 wherein the cartridge support member is solid;

fig. 67 shows the anti-pivot mechanism of fig. 65, wherein the cartridge support member is partially transparent;

FIG. 68 shows a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 65;

FIG. 69 shows another cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 65;

FIG. 70 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism;

FIG. 71 illustrates the anti-pivot mechanism of FIG. 70 wherein the cartridge support member, along with the shaft and cam, are partially transparent;

FIG. 72 shows another view of the cartridge support member of FIG. 71 without the shaft and cam;

FIG. 73 shows another view of the cartridge of FIG. 70 wherein the cartridge support member is partially solid;

FIG. 74 shows another view of the anti-pivot mechanism of FIG. 70 wherein the cartridge support member and shaft, cam and detent plate are partially transparent;

FIG. 75 shows a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 70;

FIG. 76 shows another cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 70;

FIG. 77 illustrates one embodiment of a head assembly and handle in an unassembled state configured to be coupled together using one or more magnets;

FIG. 78 generally illustrates the head assembly and handle of FIG. 77 in an assembled state;

FIG. 79 shows a cross-sectional view of the head assembly and handle of FIG. 77 in an unassembled state;

FIG. 80 shows a cross-sectional view of the head assembly and handle of FIG. 77 in an assembled state;

fig. 81A and 81B show magnetic forces at different displacements into the chamber according to the magnetic coupling of fig. 77 to 80;

FIG. 82 illustrates another embodiment of a magnetic connection between the head assembly and the handle;

FIG. 83 illustrates yet another embodiment of a magnetic connection between the head assembly and the handle;

fig. 84 illustrates one embodiment of a cartridge connecting mechanism in an unassembled state for securing a cartridge to a cartridge support member;

FIG. 85 shows the cartridge connecting mechanism of FIG. 84 in an assembled state;

FIG. 86 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cartridge connecting mechanism of FIG. 84 in an unassembled state;

FIG. 87 shows a cross-sectional view of the cartridge connecting mechanism of FIG. 84 in an assembled state;

fig. 88 illustrates one embodiment of a cartridge holder in an unassembled state for securing a cartridge to a cartridge support member;

fig. 89 shows the cartridge holder of fig. 88 in an assembled state;

fig. 90 is another embodiment of a cartridge holder in an assembled state for securing a cartridge to a cartridge support member;

FIG. 91 illustratesbase:Sub>A cross-section taken along line A-A of the cartridge holder of FIG. 90;

FIG. 92 illustrates a cross-section taken along line B-B of the cartridge holder of FIG. 90;

FIG. 93 is another embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism and/or connection mechanism in an unassembled state for coupling a cartridge to a handle;

FIG. 94 shows the anti-pivot mechanism and/or connection mechanism of FIG. 93 in an assembled state;

FIG. 95 shows a cross section of the cartridge holder of FIG. 93;

FIG. 96 illustrates another anti-pivot mechanism and/or connection mechanism in an assembled state;

FIG. 97 illustrates one embodiment of a hard stop/ISP protrusion;

98-102 illustrate various embodiments of two or more radially magnetized (DM) magnets for coupling two components;

FIGS. 103-105 illustrate further embodiments utilizing DM magnets;

fig. 106-108 illustrate embodiments of two or more DM magnets that cause the cartridge support member/cartridge to move laterally relative to the handle;

figures 109-110 illustrate further embodiments featuring two or more DM magnets;

figures 111-113 illustrate further embodiments featuring two or more DM magnets;

Figure 114 shows further embodiments featuring two or more DM magnets;

115-118 illustrate various embodiments of pairs of DM magnets by which two components are securely attached while also enabling the components to rotate relative to each other about multiple axes while tending to return to a predetermined rest position, and which may be manually separated;

fig. 119 to 123 show various embodiments of a shaving blade with at least two concentric, radially magnetized magnets, by means of which a floating effect is achieved between two parts of the shaving blade, allowing movement in two degrees of freedom (angular and axial);

FIG. 124 shows one embodiment of a shaving razor having a mechanical pivot to align the cartridge in a "body mode";

125-136 illustrate various embodiments of shaving razors that include magnets to position and control a rotating cartridge in a support member;

fig. 127 to 128 show other various embodiments of the anti-pivot mechanism;

FIG. 129 illustrates another embodiment of a shaving razor having an anti-pivot mechanism;

FIG. 130 illustrates yet another embodiment of a shaving razor having an anti-pivot mechanism;

FIG. 131 illustrates another embodiment of a shaving razor having an anti-pivot mechanism with only one arm magnet;

fig. 132-133 illustrate an embodiment similar to fig. 130 that has been modified to remove an arm that does not include a magnet;

fig. 134-135 show various embodiments of variations of the embodiments of fig. 124-128, in which the pivot axis is fixed to the cartridge rather than the arm, and a channel/groove/slot is provided in the arm and/or magnet to enable removal of the cartridge and shaft from the arm;

FIG. 136 illustrates another embodiment of a shaving razor having an anti-pivot mechanism;

FIG. 137 illustrates one embodiment of a shaving razor including a nanotube sheet, strip, or thread incorporated into a replaceable head assembly;

FIG. 138 illustrates an embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism and a linkage mechanism;

139-140 illustrate another embodiment of pivotably coupling a cartridge to a cartridge support member using a plurality of magnets;

FIG. 141 illustrates one embodiment in which the repelling magnets optionally comprise matching features;

142-144 illustrate another embodiment of a shaving razor that may be selectively arranged in a "face mode" or a "body mode";

Fig. 145-147 illustrate one embodiment of a magnetic biasing system for urging a cartridge to an Initial Starting Position (ISP); and

fig. 148 illustrates another embodiment of a magnetic biasing system for pushing a cartridge to an ISP.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description of the drawings is for purposes of illustration only and must be read in light of the following detailed description. In the above description of the drawings, not all features are necessarily in any particular embodiment of the drawings, other features not listed in the above description of the drawings may be described as well, these features may or may not be included in the above-described features of the drawings, and the features described in the drawings/detailed description may be combined and/or changed based on the other features described in the other drawings.

Detailed Description

It is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting, as it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Referring now to the drawings, fig. 1-4 illustrate a personal manual (i.e., unpowered) shaving device 10, which is particularly useful for shaving human hair, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the shaving device 10 includes a replaceable head assembly 20 for shaving the hairs of a user of the shaving device 10 and a handle 60 for holding and manipulating the shaving device 10.

As best shown by fig. 1A, the replaceable head assembly 20 includes a cartridge 22 and a cartridge support member 24. As shown, cartridge support member 24 includes a generally U-shaped cartridge support frame 26. The U-shaped cartridge support frame 26 includes two generally curved support arms 30. For example, the support arm 30 may have a generally C-shape or L-shape.

To facilitate pivotable attachment of cartridge 22 to cartridge support member 24 and subsequent use thereof, cartridge 22 and cartridge support member 24 may include one or more twists or pivot assemblies 3 that enable cartridge 22 to rotate about a pivot axis PA (e.g., about a direction that is generally perpendicular to longitudinal axis L of handle 60). As described herein, the twist or pivot assembly 3 may be configured to allow the cartridge 22 to rotate about the pivot axis PA by about 180 degrees, thereby allowing access to the front side 140 and the rear side 156 of the cartridge 22. According to one embodiment, the twist or pivot assembly 3 may be configured to allow the cartridge 22 to rotate about 360 degrees about the pivot axis PA.

For example, the hinge or pivot assembly 3 may include pivot receivers 32 (e.g., in the form of through holes) disposed in each support arm 30 of the cartridge support member 24 (e.g., without limitation, the distal section 40 of the support arm 30), each of which receives a pivot pin/cylinder 34 located on an opposite lateral side of the cartridge 22. The pivot pin/cylinder 34 may extend generally outwardly from lateral sides of the cartridge 22. With the foregoing arrangement, the cartridge 22 is disposed between the support arms 30 and supported by each support arm 30 at a pivotal connection (assembly), the cartridge 22 being capable of rotating about the pivot axis PA at any angle up to and including 360 degrees. It should be understood that the positions of the one or more pivot receptacles 32 and pivot pins 34 may be switched (e.g., one or more pivot receptacles 32 may be located in the cartridge 22 and one or more pivot pins 34 may extend outwardly from the support arm 30 of the cartridge support member 24).

To cushion the use of the cartridge 22 while shaving, the one or more support arms 30 may include a cushioning mechanism 38. As shown, the second (distal) segment 40 of each support arm 30 is configured to slide in a receptacle 42 (e.g., a slotted recess) of the first (proximal) segment 44 of each support arm 30. Each receptacle 42 may include a compression (e.g., coil) spring or biasing device 46 at a bottom thereof. As used herein, the proximal and distal sides may be understood with respect to a user of the shaving device 10.

In the foregoing manner, the biasing device 46 of the damping mechanism 38 may compress in response to a downward force exerted on the blade holder 22, such compression biasing against the downward force. As such, such compression may absorb/attenuate downward forces to cushion the use of the cartridge 22. Further, because the damping mechanisms 38 of each support arm 30 are independent of each other, the damping mechanisms 38 may move and/or damp each lateral end of the cartridge 22 independently. It should be understood that in other embodiments of the shaving device 10, the cartridge support member 24 may not include the cushioning mechanism 38.

The head assembly 20 may be selectively, removably connected to the handle 60 by a user. As can be appreciated, any mechanism for selectively coupling cartridge support member 24 to handle 60 may be used. For example, the cartridge support member 24 may include a support hub 50, which may be centrally disposed between the two support arms 30. The support hub 50 includes a mechanical connection element 52 that mechanically connects the cartridge support member 24 to a mechanical connection element 64 of the elongate shaft 62 of the handle 60.

For example, as shown in fig. 1A and 2, one embodiment of the connecting element 52 of the cartridge support member 24 includes a hollow (tubular) cylindrical shank portion 54 configured to fit within a cylindrical recess 66 of a connecting element 64 of the handle 60. To provide a secure mechanical connection, the cylindrical shank 54 includes a plurality of deformable (cantilevered and/or spring-loaded) engagement projections 56 that engage in engagement holes 68. In one embodiment, the deformable (cantilevered and/or spring-loaded) engagement projections 56 may be configured to disengage from the engagement holes 68 upon depression of the actuation button 100 and/or by manually depressing each individual engagement projection with a user's hand/finger.

Once the engagement protrusion 56 is engaged in the engagement hole 68, the head assembly 20 and the handle 60 are substantially prevented from being separated from each other. Thereafter (e.g., after the life of cartridge 22), head assembly 20 and handle 60 may be separated from each other by pressing engagement projections 56 inward (e.g., by pressing buttons or the like provided on handle 60 and/or replaceable head assembly 20 and/or by manually pressing each engagement projection with a user's hand/finger) and pulling cylindrical handle portion 54 of cartridge support member 24 out of cylindrical recess 66 of handle 60. The used head assembly 20/cartridge 22 may then be replaced with a new head assembly 20/cartridge 22. Thus, as can be appreciated, a user may selectively removably couple the head assembly 20 to the handle 60.

While the handle 54 and the recess 66 are shown as part of the cartridge support member 24 and the handle 60, respectively, it should be understood that the arrangement of the handle 54 and the recess 66 may be reversed (e.g., the handle 54 and the recess 66 may be part of the handle 60 and the cartridge support member 24, respectively, see, e.g., fig. 5). Further, while the deformable (cantilevered and/or spring-loaded) engagement projections 56 and engagement holes 68 are shown as part of the stem 54 and recess 66, respectively, it should be understood that the arrangement of the deformable (cantilevered and/or spring-loaded) engagement projections 56 and engagement holes 68 may be switched (e.g., the deformable (cantilevered and/or spring-loaded) engagement projections 56 and engagement holes 68 may be part of the recess 66 and stem 54, respectively). Further, it should be understood that the connecting element 52 is not limited to the arrangement shown and/or described herein, unless specifically claimed, and any connecting element 52 that allows a user to selectively releasably couple the head assembly 20 to the handle 60 may be used.

The handle 60 (fig. 1A-1C) may optionally include one or more twists 74 configured to allow the head assembly 20 to be selectively rotated relative to a portion of the handle 60 such that a user may adjust the orientation of the head assembly 20 (e.g., the longitudinal axis H of the head assembly 20) relative to the handle 60 (e.g., the longitudinal axis L of the handle 60). The twist 74 may be positioned substantially anywhere along the length of the handle 60, but may be positioned near the first (proximal) region of the handle 60 as generally shown.

Referring to fig. 1A, it may be appreciated that the cutting edge axes CE of the cutting edges 151 of one or more shaving blades 142 of the head assembly 20 are aligned generally perpendicularly (e.g., generally transversely/90 degrees) with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the handle 60. As described herein (e.g., as generally shown in fig. 1B and 1C), the twists 74 may be configured to allow a user to selectively rotate the head assembly 20 about the pivot point of the handle 60 such that the cutting edge axes CE of the cutting edges 151 of the one or more shaving blades 142 of the head assembly 20 are aligned at an angle a (see, e.g., fig. 1C) other than transverse/perpendicular/90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis L of the handle 60. For example, fig. 1B generally illustrates that the cutting edge axis CE of the cutting edge 151 of the one or more shaving blades 142 of the head assembly 20 is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the handle 60, while fig. 1C generally illustrates that the cutting edge axis CE of the cutting edge 151 of the one or more shaving blades 142 of the head assembly 20 is at an angle a of less than 90 degrees, such as between 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, relative to the longitudinal axis L of the handle 60.

One embodiment of a twisted portion 74 according to the present disclosure is generally shown in fig. 1A and 2. The twist 74 may include a twist pin 76 that extends through the

receptacles

80, 82 of overlapping joint portions 84, 86 (see fig. 2) of the first (proximal) shaft section 75 and the second (distal) shaft section 77 of the handle 60. In addition to enabling the first (proximal) elongate shaft portion 75 and the second (distal) elongate shaft portion 77 to rotate relative to one another, the hinge pin 76 may also prevent the first (proximal) shaft portion 75 and the second (distal) shaft portion 77 from separating relative to one another. The strand 74 may optionally include a locking mechanism (e.g., without limitation, a locking pawl, a ratchet mechanism, etc.) configured to allow a user to substantially lock or fix the relative position of the head assembly 20 with respect to the handle 60.

It should be appreciated that the twists 74 may also be configured to allow a user to selectively rotate the head assembly 20 about the pivot point of the handle 60 such that the cutting edge axis CE of the cutting edge 151 of one or more shaving blades 142 of the head assembly 20 remains substantially transverse/perpendicular/90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis L of the handle 60. For example, the arrangement of the twisted portion pin 76 and the receiving

portions

80, 82 may be rotated about 90 degrees about the longitudinal axis L of the handle 60 from the arrangement shown in fig. 1A-1C.

The handle 60 may also optionally include an elongate shaft 62. The elongate shaft 62 optionally includes a telescoping handle extension 78 that includes at least a first shaft segment 70 and a second shaft segment 72 that are configured to telescopically slide relative to one another such that a user can adjust the overall length of the handle 60. It should be understood that one or more of the

shaft segments

70, 72 may also optionally include one or more twists 74 as described herein. It should also be understood that in other embodiments of the shaving device 10, the elongate shaft 62 may be formed from a single segment and not include the twist 74, and the telescoping handle extension 78 may be eliminated.

Referring to fig. 3-5, the shaving device 10 (e.g., the handle 60) may optionally include one or more cartridge pivot biasing mechanisms 90 to control rotation of the cartridge 22 about the pivot axis PA in a direction relative to the cartridge support member 24. The pivot biasing mechanism 90 may include one or more elongated cylindrical rods 92 that slide within cylindrical recesses 94 of the handle 60. The elongated cylindrical rod 92 may be biased generally in the direction of arrow C (i.e., generally toward the cartridge 22, as generally shown in fig. 3 and 5). For example, the handle 60 may include a cylindrical recess 94 (best seen in fig. 6A and 6B) having one or more biasing devices (e.g., springs, etc.) configured to urge the elongated cylindrical rod 92 generally in the direction of arrow C. In one embodiment, a first biasing device 96 (e.g., a coil spring, etc.) may be disposed in the cylindrical recess 94 below the cylindrical rod 92, and optionally a second biasing device 98 (e.g., a coil spring, etc.) may also be disposed in the cylindrical recess 94 below the first biasing device 96. The second biasing device 98 may have a greater spring (force) constant than the first biasing device 96.

As can be appreciated, during use of the shaving device 10, the cartridge 22 may pivot about the pivot axis PA in the directions of rotation R1 and R2 as the cartridge 22 follows the contour of the skin surface being shaved. During this time, the distal end (e.g., the spherical distal end) of the cylindrical bar 92 contacts the rear side 156 of the cartridge 22 (i.e., the surface of the cartridge 22 generally opposite the surface used during shaving) to urge the cartridge 22 to pivot about the pivot axis PA. As explained herein, the cartridge 22 may optionally include shaving blades 142 on both the front side 140 and the rear side 156. In such a case, the distal end of lever 92 may be configured to contact cartridge 22 in a region 163 other than where shaving blades 142 are located.

According to one embodiment (fig. 3 and 4), the lever 92 may contact the cartridge 22 at a location above the pivot axis PA and the pivot biasing mechanism 90 may urge the cartridge 22 in the opposite direction (e.g., in the R2 direction). Alternatively, as generally shown in fig. 5, the lever 92 may contact the cartridge 22 at a location below the pivot axis PA and the pivot biasing mechanism 90 may urge the cartridge 22 in the R1 direction. As such, depending on the position at which the biasing lever 92 contacts the cartridge (i.e., above pivot axis PA in fig. 3-4 or below pivot axis PA in fig. 5), the pivotal biasing mechanism 90 may urge the cartridge 22 generally in the R2 direction (in fig. 3-4) or the R1 direction (in fig. 5) and may substantially prevent the cartridge 22 from rotating beyond a certain/predetermined point (degree of rotation) in the opposite direction (e.g., R1 in fig. 3-4 or R2 in fig. 5) when the

springs

96, 98 bottom out.

Additionally, as explained in more detail herein, in at least one embodiment, the cartridge 22 may be configured to rotate about 180 degrees or more about the pivot axis PA such that a user may select the front surface 140 or the rear surface 156 of the cartridge 22. For example, the cartridge 22 may include shaving blades on both the front side 140 and the rear side 156 thereof (see, e.g., fig. 5 or 8). Alternatively (or in addition), cartridge 22 may include shaving blades on front side 140 and a mirror on rear side 156.

According to one embodiment, the pivot biasing mechanism 90 may optionally include an actuation button 100. The actuation button 100 may be coupled to the lever 92 and may be configured to retract the lever 92 generally in a direction opposite arrow C (see, e.g., fig. 3 and 5) and out of the path of the cartridge 22 as it rotates about 180 degrees (or more) about pivot axis PA, as generally shown in fig. 4. For example, the actuator button 100 may travel in a track 102 (fig. 6A and 6B) provided by an elongated slot formed in the handle 60. A user may push actuation button 100 in a direction generally opposite arrow C to retract lever 92 with sufficient force to compress biasing

devices

96, 98, thereby retracting cylindrical lever 92 far enough (e.g., generally in a direction generally opposite arrow C and generally away from cartridge 22) such that cartridge 22 may be rotated about pivot axis PA about 180 degrees (or more) without contacting lever 92, for example, in a direction generally opposite the biasing direction of lever 92 (e.g., the R1 direction in fig. 3-4 and the R2 direction in fig. 5). It should be appreciated that although the pivot biasing mechanism 90 is shown outside of the handle 60 in fig. 6A and 6B, a portion of the pivot biasing mechanism 90 may be located in an interior region of the handle 60, as generally described herein.

According to another embodiment, the replaceable head assembly 20 may optionally include one or more cartridge rotation limiters 35 configured to generally limit the range of rotation of the cartridge 22 relative to the handle 60 and/or cartridge support member 24 when using either the front side 140 or the rear side 156. The cartridge rotation restrictor 35 may be configured to substantially prevent the cartridge 22 from pivoting about the pivot axis PA beyond a certain/predetermined point (degree of rotation) in the direction of rotation R2 (in fig. 3-4) or the direction of rotation R1 (in fig. 5). As such, the cartridge rotation restrictor 35 may be configured to substantially prevent rotation beyond a predetermined point.

Referring to fig. 3, one embodiment of a cartridge rotation limiter 35 according to the present disclosure is generally shown. The cartridge rotation limiter 35 may include a resilient, deformable stop member or detent 36 configured to contact opposing sides of the cartridge 22 in use. For example, once the cartridge 22 pivots about the pivot axis PA beyond a certain/predetermined point (degree of rotation) in the direction of rotation R2, the deformable detents 36 may contact the blade area of the cartridge 22 at a location below the pivot axis PA. While the deformable detents 36 are shown extending outwardly from the support hub 50 and contacting a portion of the cartridge 22, it should be understood that this arrangement could be reversed. For example, the deformable detents 36 may also be configured to extend outwardly from the cartridge 22 to contact a portion of the support hub 50.

To rotate the blade holder 22 about the pivot axis PA by about 180 degrees or more, the pin 92 may be retracted as generally shown in fig. 4, and the blade holder 22 may be rotated in the R1 direction. When blade holder 22 is rotated in the direction R1, blade holder 22 will contact detent 36. The detents 36 (which may be formed from a polymeric composition such as an elastomer or sheet metal) will deform downward (e.g., generally toward the hub 50 and/or the support arm 30 of the support frame 26) to allow the cartridge 22 to continue to rotate in the R1 direction. Once cartridge 22 passes detent/elastically deformable stop member 36, stop member 36 will return to its original position and prevent cartridge 22 from rotating rearward in direction of rotation R2. The resiliently deformable stop member 36 allows the cartridge 22 to rotate in one direction but prevents the cartridge 22 from rotating in the opposite direction. Again (as noted above), although the detents 36 are shown extending from the support frame 26, the detents 36 may also extend from the cartridge 22 and may similarly elastically deform as the cartridge 22 rotates about the pivot axis PA.

Referring again to fig. 5 and 7, another embodiment of a cartridge rotation limiter 35 according to the present disclosure is generally shown. The cartridge rotation limiter 35 may include a resilient, deformable stop member or pawl 36 configured to contact one or more of the plurality of teeth 37. In the embodiment shown in fig. 5 and 7, the pawl 36 extends generally radially outward from the pivot pin 34 and the tooth 37 extends generally radially inward from the pivot receiver 32; however, it should be understood that the arrangement of the pawl 36 and the teeth 37 could be reversed, and that the pawl 36 could extend generally radially inward from the pivot receiver 32 and the teeth 37 extend generally radially outward from the pivot pin 34.

As best shown in fig. 7, rotation of the pivot pin 34 about the pivot axis PA in a first direction (e.g., in the direction R2 in the illustrated embodiment) may cause the pawl 36 to contact a moderately angled, tapered, curved, convex, concave, and/or arcuate portion (e.g., first portion) 39 of the first tooth 37a, thereby causing the pawl 36 to elastically deform (e.g., generally radially inwardly deform in the illustrated embodiment) out of the path of the first tooth 37a and allowing the pivot pin 34 to continue to rotate about the pivot axis PA in the first direction. Conversely, rotation of the pivot pin 34 in a second direction (e.g., in the direction R1 in the illustrated embodiment) about the pivot axis PA may cause the pawl 36 to contact a steeply angled, upstanding and/or generally vertical portion (e.g., second portion) 41 of the second tooth 37b (e.g., adjacent tooth), thereby causing the pawl 36 to engage the second portion 41 of the tooth 37b and generally preventing any further rotation of the pivot pin 34 in the second direction about the pivot axis PA beyond a predetermined point defined by the second tooth 37 b. According to one embodiment, the pivot pin 34 may be substantially free to rotate about the pivot axis PA within a region 43 defined by two adjacent teeth (e.g.,

teeth

37a, 37 b). The area 43 may also be considered a recess.

It should be understood that in any of the embodiments described herein, the spacing between the teeth may be greater and/or smaller than shown in the figures, which would allow for greater and/or lesser degrees of rotation of the cartridge head.

The shaving blade 10 may optionally include an anti-pivot mechanism. The anti-pivot mechanism may be configured to allow a user to rotate the cartridge 22 about the pivot axis PA to select one of the sides/faces and to allow the cartridge 22 to rotate within a predetermined range of rotation to fit the user's skin contours at a selected blade/face location during normal use of the razor. According to one embodiment, the anti-pivot mechanism may include a cartridge pivot biasing mechanism 90 (such as, but not limited to, a biasing pin 92) and/or a cartridge rotation limiter 35 (such as, but not limited to, a pawl 36 and a plurality of teeth 37). Biasing pin 92 may be configured to urge blade holder 22 in a second direction (e.g., in the direction R1 in the illustrated embodiment) such that pawl 36 contacts substantially vertical portion 41 of tooth 37b, thereby restricting blade holder 22 from rotating in the second direction (e.g., R1). The biasing pin 92 may also substantially prevent the blade holder 22 from rotating in a first direction (e.g., the R2 direction) about the pivot axis PA beyond a predetermined point unless the biasing pin 92 is moved out of the path of the blade holder 22 as described herein.

Referring to fig. 5 and 7, a user may apply a shaving force Fsu in a first direction (e.g., R2), which causes the cartridge 22 (and thus the pivot pin/cylinder 34) to rotate in the first direction (e.g., R2) against the spring force of the biasing pin 92 and causes the pawl 36 to move away from the generally vertical portion 41 of the tooth 37 b. Once the force Fsu is reduced/removed, the force (e.g., resistance force Fres) biasing the pin 92 causes the pivot pin/cylinder 34 to move back toward the initial starting position (e.g., with the pawl 36 abutting/contacting the generally vertical portion 41 of the teeth 37 b).

To rotate the cartridge 22 to select a different face (e.g., face 140 or face 156), a user may retract the biasing pin 92 out of the path of the cartridge 22 as described herein, and may then rotate the cartridge 22 in a first direction (e.g., the R2 direction), thereby causing the pawl 36 to elastically deform out of the path of the tooth 37a and allowing the pivot pin 34 to continue to rotate about the pivot axis PA in the first direction (e.g., R2). Once the user releases the biasing pin 92, the biasing pin 92 pushes the cartridge 22 in the second direction (e.g., R1) until the pawl 36 contacts the generally vertical portion 41 of the tooth 37. Thus, rotation of the cartridge 22 about the pivot axis PA is generally limited to the area between two teeth 37 adjacent to the pawl 36.

Again, it should be appreciated that the arrangement of the pawl 36 and teeth 37 relative to the pivot pin 34 and receiver 32 may be switched, and thus, the arrangement of the teeth 37 (i.e., the orientation of the first and second portions 39, 41) and the slope of the pawl 36 may be switched. In addition, the arrangement of the teeth 37 (i.e., the orientation of the first and second portions 39, 41) and the slope of the pawl 36 may be switched depending on the direction (e.g., R1 or R2) in which the biasing pin 92 is configured to push the blade holder 22. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in fig. 5 and 7, biasing pin 92 is configured to urge blade holder 22 in a second direction (e.g., the R1 direction). However, in other embodiments described herein (e.g., see fig. 3 and 8), the biasing pin 92 is configured to urge the cartridge 22 in a first direction (e.g., the R2 direction), and the orientation of the first and

second portions

39, 41 of the teeth 37 and the slope of the pawl 36 may be switched relative to the positions shown in fig. 5 and 7.

For example, referring to fig. 8, rotation of the pivot pin 34 about the pivot axis PA in a first direction (e.g., in the direction R2 in the illustrated embodiment) may cause the pawl 36 to contact a steeply angled, upstanding and/or generally vertical portion (e.g., second portion) 41 of the first tooth 37a, thereby causing the pawl 36 to engage the second portion 41 of the first tooth 37a and substantially preventing any further rotation of the pivot pin 34 about the pivot axis PA in the first direction (e.g., R2) beyond a predetermined point defined by the first tooth 37 a. Conversely, rotation of the pivot pin 34 about the pivot axis PA in the second direction (e.g., in the R1 direction in the illustrated embodiment) may cause the pawl 36 to contact a moderately angled, tapered, curved, convex, concave, and/or arcuate portion (e.g., a first portion) 39 of the second tooth 37b (e.g., an adjacent tooth), thereby causing the pawl 36 to elastically deform out of the way of the second tooth 37b (e.g., generally radially inward in the illustrated embodiment) and allowing the pivot pin 34 to continue to rotate about the pivot axis PA in the second direction. According to one embodiment, the pivot pin 34 may be substantially free to rotate about the pivot axis PA within a region 43 defined by two adjacent teeth (e.g.,

teeth

37a, 37 b).

Biasing pin 92 may be configured to urge blade holder 22 in a first direction (e.g., in the direction R2 in the illustrated embodiment) such that pawl 36 contacts substantially vertical portion 41 of tooth 37a, thereby limiting rotation of blade holder 22 in the first direction (e.g., R2). The biasing pin 92 may also substantially prevent the cartridge 22 from rotating about the pivot axis PA beyond a predetermined point in a second direction (e.g., the R1 direction) unless the biasing pin 92 is moved out of the path of the cartridge 22 as described herein.

During use of the shaving razor 10, a user may apply a shaving force Fsu in a second direction (e.g., R1), which causes the cartridge 22 (and thus the pivot pin/cylinder 34) to rotate in the second direction (e.g., R1) against the spring force of the biasing pin 92 and causes the pawl 36 to move away from the generally vertical portion 41 of the teeth 37 a. Once the force Fsu is reduced/removed, the force of the biasing pin 92 (e.g., the resistance force Fres of the biasing pin 92) causes the pivot pin/cylinder 34 to move back toward the initial starting position (e.g., with the pawl 36 abutting/contacting the generally vertical portion 41 of the teeth 37 a).

To rotate the blade holder 22 to select a different face (e.g., face 140 or face 156), a user may retract the biasing pin 92 away from the path of the blade holder 22 as described herein (see, e.g., fig. 4), and may then rotate the blade holder 22 (fig. 8) in a second direction (e.g., the R1 direction), thereby causing the pawl 36 to elastically deform away from the path of the teeth 37b and allowing the pivot pin 34 to continue to rotate about the pivot axis PA in the second direction (e.g., R1). Once the user releases the biasing pin 92, the biasing pin 92 pushes the cartridge 22 in a first direction (e.g., R2) until the pawl 36 contacts the generally vertical portion 41 of the tooth 37. Thus, rotation of the cartridge 22 about the pivot axis PA is generally limited to the area between two teeth 37 adjacent the pawl 36.

Turning now to fig. 9 and 10, another embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism is generally shown. The anti-pivot mechanism may include a cartridge pivot biasing mechanism 90 (such as, but not limited to, a biasing pin 92) and/or a cartridge rotation limiter 35 (such as, but not limited to, a pawl/helical pawl 36 and a plurality of teeth 37). In the illustrated embodiment, the resiliently deformable helical pawl 36 extends generally radially outwardly from the pivot pin 34, and the receiver 32 includes a plurality of teeth 37 that extend generally radially inwardly toward the pivot pin 34. However, it should be understood that the arrangement of the helical pawl 36 and the teeth 37 relative to the pivot pin 34 and the receiver 32 may be switched, and the helical pawl 36 may extend generally radially inward from the receiver 32 and the teeth 37 may extend generally radially outward from the pivot pin 34.

The biasing pin 92 may be configured to urge the cartridge 22 in a second direction (e.g., in the direction R1 in the illustrated embodiment) such that the distal end of the pawl 36 contacts the generally vertical portion 41 (fig. 10) of the tooth 37a, thereby limiting rotation of the cartridge 22 in the second direction (e.g., R1). The biasing pin 92 may also substantially prevent the blade holder 22 from rotating in a first direction (e.g., the R2 direction) about the pivot axis PA beyond a predetermined point unless the biasing pin 92 is moved out of the path of the blade holder 22 as described herein.

During use of the shaving razor 10, a user may apply a shaving force Fsu in a second direction (e.g., R1), which causes the cartridge 22 (and thus the pivot pin/cylinder 34) to rotate in the second direction (e.g., R1) against the spring force of the helical pawl 36. Once the force Fsu is reduced/removed, the force of the helical pawl 36 (e.g., the helical resistance Fres) causes the pivot pin/cylinder 34 to move back toward the initial starting position (e.g., where the forces biasing the pin 92 and the helical pawl 36 are substantially equal).

The user may also apply a shaving force Fsu in a first direction (e.g., R2) causing the cartridge 22 (and thus the pivot pin/cylinder 34) to rotate in the first direction (e.g., R2) against the spring force of the biasing pin 92 and optionally causing the pawl 36 to move away from the generally vertical portion 41 of the teeth 37 a. Once the force Fsu is reduced/removed, the force (e.g., resistance force Fres) of the biasing pin 92 causes the pivot pin/cylinder 34 to move back toward the initial starting position (e.g., with the forces of the biasing pin 92 and the helical pawl 36 substantially equal).

To rotate the blade holder 22 to select a different face (e.g., face 140 or face 156), a user may retract the biasing pin 92 out of the path of the blade holder 22 as described herein (see, e.g., fig. 4), and may then rotate the blade holder 22 in a second direction (e.g., the R1 direction), thereby causing the spiral pawl 36 to elastically deform out of the path of the tooth 37a and allowing the pivot pin 34 to continue to rotate about the pivot axis PA in the second direction (e.g., R1). Once the user releases the biasing pin 92, the biasing pin 92 pushes the cartridge 22 in the second direction (e.g., R1) until the distal end of the spiral pawl 36 contacts the generally vertical portion 41 of the teeth 37. Thus, rotation of the cartridge 22 about the pivot axis PA is generally limited to the area between two teeth 37 adjacent the pawl 36 (i.e., controlled by position).

While the biasing pin 92 and the spiral pawl 36 are shown in fig. 9 and 10 as urging the blade holder 22 in the R1 direction and the R2 direction, respectively, it should be understood that the biasing pin may be configured to urge the blade holder 22 in the R2 direction, the spiral pawl 36 may be configured to urge the blade holder 22 in the R1 direction, and the orientation of the teeth 37 may also be switched. Such variations will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art in light of this disclosure.

Turning now to fig. 11 and 12, yet another embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism is generally shown. The anti-pivot mechanism may include a cartridge pivot biasing mechanism 90 and a cartridge rotation limiter 35. As noted herein, the anti-pivot mechanism is configured to allow a user to rotate the cartridge 22 (only pivot pin/cylinder 34 shown for clarity) about pivot axis PA to select one of the sides/faces and to allow the cartridge 22 to rotate within a predetermined range of rotation while conforming to the user's skin contours at selected blade/facial locations during normal use of the shaving razor.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge pivot biasing mechanism 90 and the cartridge rotation limiter 35 may include a biasing device 200 (e.g., without limitation, a torsion spring, etc.) having a first end coupled to the arm 30 and a second end configured to urge the biased pivot cylinder 202 about the pivot axis PA in a first direction (e.g., the direction of rotation R2). The biased pivot cylinder 202 includes a pawl 204. A pawl or resilient pawl 204 may extend generally radially outward from the biased pivot cylinder 202. The biasing device 200 may urge the biased pivot cylinder 202 in a first direction (e.g., R2) such that the pawl 204 of the biased pivot cylinder 202 engages the first tooth 206A (which may be configured to extend generally radially inward from the pivot pin/cylinder 34), thereby urging the pivot pin/cylinder 34 in the first direction (e.g., R2), and such that the one or more pivot cylinder stop members 207, 209 (which may be configured to extend generally radially outward from the pivot pin/cylinder 34) engage the one or more arm stop

members

208, 210, respectively, of the arm 30. The engagement of the pivot

cylinder stop members

207, 209 with the

arm stop members

208, 210 generally limits rotation of the pivot pin/cylinder 34 (and thus the cartridge 22) in a first direction (e.g., R2) while the cartridge 22 is set in a first blade face position (e.g., a position of the cartridge 22 relative to the handle 60 corresponding to a first face of the cartridge 22 operable for use by a user of the shaving razor 10). For example, the engagement of the pivot

cylinder stop members

207, 209 with the

arm stop members

208, 210 generally sets an initial starting position of the cartridge 22 at the same time as the first blade position.

During use of the shaving razor 10, a user applies a shaving force Fsu in a second direction (e.g., R1), which causes the cartridge 22 (and thus the pivot pin/cylinder 34) to rotate in the second direction (e.g., R1) against the spring force of the biasing device 200, causing the pivot

cylinder stop members

207, 209 to move away from the

arm stop members

208, 210, respectively. Once the force Fsu is reduced/removed, the force of the biasing device 200 (e.g., resistance Fres) causes the pivot pin/cylinder 34 to move back toward the initial starting position (as shown in fig. 11).

To rotate the cartridge 22 to another blade face position (e.g., a second or third blade face position corresponding to one of the other faces of the cartridge 22), the user applies a rotational force Fr to the cartridge 22 in a first direction (e.g., R2) causing the pivot

cylinder stop members

207, 209 to deform over the

arm stop members

208, 210, respectively, until the pivot

cylinder stop members

207, 209 again contact the

arm stop members

208, 210, respectively. Additionally, the rotational force Fr causes the biased pivot cylinder 202 to rotate slightly about the pivot axis PA until the pawl 204 deforms over the tooth 206B and the pawl 204 contacts a generally vertical/upright portion of the tooth 206B. Thus, the cartridge 22 may be rotated about 180 degrees so that a user may use the opposite side of the cartridge 22.

It should be understood that while fig. 11-12 illustrate an anti-pivot mechanism configured to allow a user to select between two faces of the cartridge 22, the anti-pivot mechanism may be configured to allow a user to select between more than two faces of the cartridge 22. In particular, the support arm 30 may include spaced apart stop

members

208, 210 such that the pivot

cylinder stop members

207, 209 may contact one or more arm stop

members

208, 210 at locations corresponding to the first, second, and at least third initial starting positions. The first, second and at least third initial starting positions correspond to first, second and at least third faces of the blade holder 22, respectively. Additionally (or alternatively), it should be appreciated that the rotational force Fr may cause the

arm stop members

208, 210 to deform over the pivot

cylinder stop members

207, 209, respectively, until the pivot

cylinder stop members

207, 209 again contact the

arm stop members

208, 210, respectively. Thus, the

arm stop members

208, 210 and/or the pivot

cylinder stop members

207, 209 may be elastically deformable. Further, it should be appreciated that the pivot pin/cylinder 34 and/or the offset pivot cylinder 202 may include bearing surfaces (not shown for clarity) configured to align the pivot pin/cylinder 34 and/or the offset pivot cylinder 202 relative to one another and/or a receptacle in the support arm 30.

Referring to fig. 13 and 14, another embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism is generally shown. The anti-pivot mechanism allows the user to rotate the cartridge 22 (only pivot pin/cylinder 34 shown for clarity) about pivot axis PA to select one of a plurality of sides/faces and allows the cartridge 22 to rotate within a predetermined range of rotation at a selected blade/face location during normal use of the shaving razor to suit the user's skin contour.

The anti-pivot mechanism may include at least one detent or resilient detent 220 configured to extend generally radially inward from the receptacle 32 of the arm 30. The pivot pin/cylinder 34 may include a plurality of recesses 222 configured to receive distal ends 224 of the pawls 220. According to one embodiment, distal end 224 of pawl 220 may have a shape generally corresponding to a portion of recess 222A to help retain pawl 220 relative to recess 222A. For example, distal end 224 may have a generally spherical shape, while recess 222A may include a portion 226 having a generally hemispherical shape with a diameter generally equal to distal end 224. The location of the recesses 222 may each correspond to one of the faces of the blade holder 22. Thus, while only two

recesses

222A, 222B are shown, it is understood that the pivot pin/cylinder 34 may include three or more recesses 222 corresponding to three or more faces of the blade cartridge 20.

It should be understood that in any of the embodiments described herein, the length of the detents and/or the depth and/or width of the recesses may be greater and/or less than shown in the figures, which would allow for greater and/or lesser degrees of rotation of the cartridge head within a predetermined range of rotation.

As can be appreciated, the length and flexibility/stiffness of the detents, in combination with the design of the recesses, may determine the degree of rotation (e.g., a predetermined range of rotation) of the cartridge relative to an initial starting position corresponding to a selected face.

Referring to fig. 15, a variation of the anti-pivot mechanism of fig. 13 and 14 is generally shown. The anti-pivot mechanism of fig. 15 is similar to that of fig. 13 and 14; however, the pawl 220 is configured to extend generally radially outward from the pivot pin/cylinder 34 and is configured to engage a selected one of a plurality of recesses 222 formed in the arm 30.

In practice (fig. 13-15), the user may rotate the cartridge 22 (and thus the pivot pin/cylinder 34) so that the desired face of the cartridge 22 is in the proper position relative to the handle 60. Once in the target position, the distal end 224 of the pawl 220 may be received in the recess 222A (e.g., without limitation, the retaining portion 226). The arrangement may be defined as an initial starting position. When a shaving force Fsu is applied to the cartridge 20 (and thus the pivot pin/cylinder 34), the pawl 220 exerts a resistive force Fres against the cartridge 22, urging the cartridge 22 in a direction opposite the shaving force Fsu and generally toward an initial starting position. Accordingly, the blade holder 22 may rotate about the pivot axis PA within a range relative to the initial starting position.

The degree to which the cartridge 22 may be rotated about the pivot axis PA relative to the initial starting position may depend on the intended use. For example, the blade holder 22 may be rotated about the pivot axis PA in a range of about 5 degrees to about 90 degrees and any range therebetween relative to the initial starting position. According to another embodiment, the cartridge 22 may be rotated about the pivot axis PA in a range of about 5 degrees to 60 degrees and any range therebetween relative to the initial starting position. According to yet another embodiment, the cartridge 22 may be rotated about the pivot axis PA in a range of about 5 degrees to about 25 degrees and any range therebetween relative to the initial starting position. According to yet another embodiment, the cartridge 22 may be rotated about the pivot axis PA in a range of about 5 degrees to about 15 degrees and any range therebetween relative to the initial starting position.

To rotate the blade holder 22 to another blade face position (e.g., a second or third blade face position corresponding to one of the other faces of the blade holder 22), the user applies a rotational force Fr to the blade holder 22 in a first direction (e.g., R1 or R2) causing the pivot pin/cylinder 34 (fig. 13-15) to rotate in the first direction (e.g., R1 or R2) until the pawl 220 elastically deforms away from the initial recess 222A. The pivot pin/cylinder 34 and/or the arm 30 may optionally include one or more recesses, slots, chambers, etc. 228 (fig. 14 and 15) into which the pawls 220 may move as the pivot pin/cylinder 34 rotates about the pivot axis PA. The user continues to rotate the cartridge 22 until the face of the cartridge 22 is in the desired position relative to the handle 60. Once in the desired position, the detents 220 (e.g., the distal ends 224 of the detents 220) will be received in the corresponding recesses 222B.

As can be appreciated, one or more of the recesses 222 (fig. 13-15) may have a generally concave configuration. More particularly, the

sides

230A, 230B of the recess 222 can be generally downwardly and/or inwardly sloped or tapered toward the pivot axis PA to provide a smoother transition as the pawl 220 enters the recess 222. Optionally, although not shown, one or more recesses 222 (fig. 13-15) may have a generally vertical, upright, and/or convex configuration, thereby increasing the amount of force required to deform the pawl 220 out of the recess 222. This configuration may allow the pawl 220 to be less rigid while ensuring that the pawl 220 remains seated in the recess 222.

Turning now to FIG. 16A, another embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism is generally shown. The anti-pivot mechanism may be similar to that of fig. 13 and 14, however, the one or more recesses 222 (which are formed in the pivot pin/cylinder 34) may include one or more resiliently deformable wings 250 and the resilient pawl 220 may optionally include a spring 254. Fig. 16B is similar to fig. 16A, but pawl 220 includes a spring 254, spring 254 extending from receptacle 32 of arm 30 and terminating at distal end 224. Distal end 224 of pawl 220 may have a shape generally corresponding to a portion of recess 222A to help retain pawl 220 relative to recess 222A. For example, the distal end 224 may have a generally spherical and/or ellipsoidal shape, while the recess 222A may include a portion 226 having a generally hemispherical and/or ellipsoidal shape that is approximately equal in diameter to the distal end 224. Fig. 17A and 17B are similar to fig. 16A and 16B, respectively, but are based on the anti-pivot mechanism of fig. 15 in which a recess 222 is formed in the support arm 30 and a resilient pawl 220 extends from the pivot pin/cylinder 34.

Referring to fig. 16A-17B, an elastically deformable wing 250 extends across at least a portion of the opening of the recess 222. For example, the elastically deformable wing portion 250 may extend from a portion of the recess 222 and/or an area surrounding the recess 222. The first and second elastically

deformable wing portions

250a, 250b may extend partially across the opening of the recess 222 and may define a deformable opening 252. The resiliently

deformable wings

250a, 250b may be configured to resiliently deform such that the distal end 224 of the pawl 220 may pass through the deformable opening 252 and be at least partially received in the recess 222. The resiliently deformable wings 250 may help to retain the distal end 224 of the pawl 220 in the recess 222.

According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the shaft of the resilient pawl 220 may optionally include a spring, such as, but not limited to, a torsion spring, a coil spring, or the like 254. The spring 254 may be configured to engage the recess 222 and/or the resiliently deformable wing 250 and may allow the cartridge 22 to rotate through an increased predetermined range of rotation upon application of a sufficient rotational force.

For example, the resiliently deformable wings 250 may help retain the distal end 224 of the resilient pawl 220, which may engage the spring 254. When a user applies a sufficient rotational force Fr to the blade holder 22, the spring 254 may "kick out" and will pull the resilient pawl 220 through the resiliently deformable wing 250 and may rotate the blade holder 22 to select a new face as described herein.

Referring now to fig. 18-20, yet another embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism is generally shown. In particular, fig. 18 generally illustrates one embodiment of a replaceable head assembly 20 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, fig. 19 being a cross-section taken along line 19-19 of fig. 18, and fig. 20 being a cross-section taken along line 20-20 of fig. 19. It should be understood that the replaceable head assembly 20 shown in fig. 18 is provided for illustrative purposes only, and that the anti-pivot mechanism may be used with any of the shaving razors 10 and/or replaceable head assemblies 20 described herein.

Referring to fig. 19 and 20, the anti-pivot mechanism may be similar to that of fig. 13-17B, however, one or more recesses 322 are formed in the blade cartridge 22 and one or more elastically deformable detents 320 are formed in a portion of the arm 30 that is recessed into (e.g., countersunk into) a portion (e.g., cavity or recess) 310 of the blade cartridge 22. As described herein, the detents 320 may include any detent configuration described herein. The recess 322 (which may be formed within the chamber 310) may include any recess configuration described herein and may be arranged to generally correspond to one or more faces (e.g., 140, 156, etc.) of the cartridge 22. The detents 320 may engage in the recesses 322 to allow the blade holder 22 to move within a predetermined range of rotation. For example, the pawl 320 may be bent in the recess 322. Alternatively (or additionally), the pawl 320 may move within a recess 322, and the size of the recess 322 may define (at least in part) a predetermined range of rotation. Fig. 21 and 22 are similar to fig. 19 and 20, but the detent 320 extends from a portion (e.g., a cavity or recess) 310 of the cartridge 22 and the recess 322 is formed in a portion of the cavity 310 of the cartridge 22.

Turning now to fig. 23 and 24, yet another embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism is generally shown. As generally described herein, the anti-pivot mechanism may include one or more detents 420 and recesses 422. For example, as generally shown in fig. 23, one or more detents 420 may extend from the arm 30 and one or more recesses 422 may be formed in a portion of the chamber 410 of the cartridge 22. Alternatively (or additionally), as generally shown in fig. 24, one or more detents 420 may extend from a portion of the cavity 410 of the cartridge 22 and one or more recesses 422 may be formed in a portion of the arm 30. However, it will be appreciated that the one or more detents 420 and/or recesses 422 may be located at any position on the cartridge 22 and/or pivot arm 34 as described herein.

The anti-pivot mechanism may also include one or more weighted devices 450 configured to move in at least a portion of the cartridge 22. For example, the weighting device 450 may be configured to slide in one or more channels 452 defined in the cartridge 22. The channel 452 may extend substantially perpendicular to the pivot arm 34. As generally illustrated, the weighted device 450 may be configured to generally urge the cartridge 22 toward an initial starting position. The active face of the cartridge 22 (i.e., the face used by a user for, for example, shaving) may be disposed at an initial starting position that is generally at an angle I of about 10 to 30 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis L of the handle 60.

For example, as generally shown in fig. 23 and 24, the weight of the counter-weight device 450 may urge the cartridge 22 generally in the direction of arrow K until the pawl 420 engages a portion of the recess 422. Blade holder 22 may move in recess 422 in a direction generally opposite arrow K, and weight device 450 will generally urge blade holder 22 toward the initial starting position.

To rotate the cartridge 22 to another face, the user rotates the cartridge 22 relative to the handle 60 until the detent 420 engages another recess 422, as generally described herein. Once the angle I of the blade holder 22 relative to the handle 60 exceeds 90 degrees, the weighted device 450 may be slid to the other side of the blade holder 22. Thus, the weighted device 450 is ready to push the cartridge 22 generally toward the new initial starting position.

It should be understood that although one counter weight device 450 is shown, the anti-pivot mechanism may include a plurality of counter weight devices 450. Additionally, while a single weight device 450 is shown in the channel 452, it should be understood that multiple weight devices 450 may be provided in one or more channels 452. Further, while the anti-pivot mechanism is generally shown as having a pawl and a recess, it should be understood that the recess may be defined by one or more teeth or one or more elastically deformable pawls.

Turning now to fig. 25-27, another embodiment of the shaving blade 10 having a twisted portion 74 is generally illustrated. While the shaving razor 10 of fig. 25-27 may be used with any cartridge known to those skilled in the art, the shaving razor 10 of fig. 25-27 is particularly useful for cartridges 22 having at least one face 140 with at least one shaving blade 142 aligned to cut in a first shaving direction D1 and at least one shaving blade 142 aligned to cut in a second shaving direction D2 (such as, but not limited to, a cartridge 22 as generally shown in fig. 37).

Referring to fig. 25, a side view of the shaving blade 10 is shown. The handle 60 includes a first (proximal) shaft portion 75 coupled to a second (distal) shaft portion 77 by one or more twists 74. The hinge 74 may include any hinge mechanism known to those skilled in the art and may include, for example, a locking mechanism (e.g., without limitation, a locking pawl, a ratchet mechanism, etc.) configured to allow a user to substantially lock and/or fix the relative position of the first shaft portion 75 with respect to the second shaft portion 77 (e.g., the head assembly 20 with respect to the handle 60).

For example, the twisted portion 74 may be configured to allow the first shaft portion 75 to swing approximately 90 degrees from the position shown in fig. 25 to the position shown in fig. 26 generally in the direction of the arc S. It will be appreciated that the twist 74 allows the first shaft portion 75 to oscillate in a direction (e.g., plane or axis) generally perpendicular to the cutting edge axis CE of the cutting edge 151 of the one or more blades 142 of the head assembly 20.

The handle 60 (e.g., the first shaft portion 75) and/or the support hub 50 may optionally include a shaft or pivot 177 configured to allow a user to manually rotate or swivel the cartridge 22 about 90 degrees along an axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis Lh of the first shaft portion 75 and/or the support hub 50 such that the cutting edge axes CE of the cutting edges 151 of the one or more shaving blades 142 of the head assembly 20 are aligned generally parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the handle 60, as generally shown in fig. 27. The shaft 177 may comprise any shaft or pivot mechanism known to those skilled in the art and may include, for example, a locking mechanism (e.g., without limitation, a locking pawl, a ratchet mechanism, etc.) configured to allow a user to substantially lock and/or fix the relative position of the blade holder 22 with respect to the first shaft portion 75 and/or the support hub 50.

The shaving razor 10 having the twist 74 and the spindle 177 as described above (and optionally including but not limited to a cartridge as generally shown and described in fig. 37 herein) may be particularly useful for shaving a user's head and/or body. In particular, aligning the cutting edge axes CE of the cutting edges 151 of one or more shaving blades 142 of the head assembly 20 generally parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the handle 60 as generally shown in fig. 27 may facilitate shaving the user's head and/or body as compared to aligning the cutting edge axes CE of the cutting edges 151 of the shaving blades 142 generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the handle 60 as generally shown in fig. 25.

The cartridge 22 of fig. 25-27 may optionally include any of the anti-pivot mechanisms described herein. Cartridge 22 may include any anti-pivot mechanism and/or any combination of anti-pivot mechanisms described herein, which is not a limitation of the present disclosure unless specifically claimed as such. The anti-pivot mechanisms described herein that do not include the offset pin 92 may be particularly suitable for use with the twists 74 and the shaft 177. Accordingly, when disposed in the position shown in fig. 27, the cartridge 22 may be closer to the second shaft portion 77.

Turning now to fig. 28 and 29, the shaving razor 10 may optionally include a blade cartridge centering mechanism 100. The blade holder centering mechanism 100 may be configured to generally align the blade holder 22 relative to the support arm 30. For example, the blade holder centering mechanism 100 may be configured to substantially align the pivot pin 34 in the receiver 32 as the pivot pin 34 rotates in the receiver 32. According to one embodiment, the pivot pin 34 may include at least one bearing surface 102, the bearing surface 102 configured to generally engage a bearing surface 104 of the receiver 32. The outer and inner diameters of bearing

surfaces

102, 104 may be such that the rotation of pivot pin 34 is substantially concentric with the center of receiver 32. Additionally (or alternatively), the pivot pin 34 may include at least one shoulder region 106 configured to generally engage with a shoulder region 108 of the receiver 32 to generally align the cartridge 22 along the pivot axis PA (e.g., left/right as generally shown).

Referring now to fig. 30A, one embodiment of a cartridge 22 having at least a first shaving side 140 is generally shown. The first shaving side 140 includes at least one shaving blade 142. As shown, the first shaving side 140 may include a plurality of shaving blades 142. More specifically, the first shaving side 140 may include a first group 144 of one or more shaving blades 142 and a second group 146 of one or more shaving blades 142. In the illustrated embodiment, each

group

144, 146 is shown with three shaving blades 142, but it should be understood that this is not a limitation of the present disclosure unless specifically claimed, and each

group

144, 146 may independently have one or more blades. In this embodiment, all shaving blades 142 of each

group

144, 146 are arranged to cut hairs in a first shaving stroke direction D1, and the

groups

144, 146 may be separated by an intermediate skin lubricating strip 176. As described herein, the shaving blades 142 in the

groups

144, 146 may optionally be arranged to cut hair in different directions (e.g., one group 146 may be configured to cut hair in a first shaving stroke direction D1, while the other group 144 may be configured to cut hair in a second shaving stroke direction D2).

The cartridge 22 may include a continuous outer casing (frame) 188 around the perimeter of the first shaving side shaving blades 142, which may be formed of plastic or metal such as stainless steel. The cartridge 22 (e.g., frame/housing 188) may include a front edge region 157, a rear/trailing edge region 159, a first lateral edge region 161, and a second lateral edge region 163. As used herein, the terms "front" and "rear" define a relative position between two or more things. For example, the "leading" shaving aid of the shaving blade 142 is positioned such that the surface of the skin and/or hair to be shaved encounters the shaving aid before encountering the shaving blade 142, provided that the shaving device 10/cartridge 22 travels in its intended cutting direction (here, the D1 direction). The "trailing" shaving feature of the shaving blades 142 is positioned such that the surface of the skin and/or hair to be shaved encounters the shaving aid after encountering the shaving blades 142, provided the shaving device 10/cartridge 22 travels in its intended cutting direction (here, the D1 direction). Further, the term "lateral" is used with respect to front and back.

The cartridge 22 may optionally include one or more leading shaving aids 160 located in at least a portion of the leading edge region 157 and/or one or more trailing shaving aids 162 located in at least a portion of the trailing/trailing edge region 159. For example, during a shaving stroke in the direction D1, the leading shaving aid 160 may be located in front of the shaving blades 142 (e.g., in front of the first group 144 and/or the second group 146), while during a shaving stroke in the direction D1, the trailing shaving aid 162 may be located behind the shaving blades 142 (e.g., behind the second group 146 and/or the first group 144).

The cartridge 22 may also (or alternatively) include a first lateral (e.g., left) shaving aid 164 and a second lateral (e.g., right) shaving aid 166 that are located substantially adjacent the first (e.g., left) longitudinal end 150 and the opposing second (e.g., right) longitudinal end 152 of the first shaving side shaving blade 142, respectively, during a shaving stroke in the direction D1.

As shown, the leading shaving aid 160 may include at least one skin engaging strip 170 to provide frictional engagement with the skin, particularly when shaving with the first shaving side blade 142. The skin engaging strip 170 may comprise a plurality of flexible raised protrusions, in particular flexible elongated fins formed of a polymeric composition, in particular an elastomer. Alternatively or additionally, the leading shaving aid 160 may include at least one skin lubricating strip 172 to lubricate the skin, particularly when shaving with the first shaving side blades 142.

Alternatively or additionally, the post-shaving aid 162 may also include at least one skin lubricating and/or wetting strip 174 to lubricate the skin, particularly after shaving with the first shaving side shaving blades 142. Lubricating and/or wetting strip 174 and lubricating and/or wetting

strips

172 and 176 can include at least one of a lubricant, conditioner, moisturizer, soap, and gel. As described herein, the lubricating strip 176 may be disposed between the first group 144 and the second group 146 of shaving blades 142. Thus, the lubricating strip 176 further lubricates a portion of the user's skin that has been shaved by the first set 146 of shaving blades 142 before the second set 144 of shaving blades 142 contacts the portion of the user's skin.

Alternatively or additionally, one or more of the leading shaving aid 160, the trailing shaving aid 162, the first lateral shaving aid 164, and/or the second lateral shaving aid 166 may also include at least one

roller strip

182, 184, 186, respectively. The roller bars 180, 182, 184, 186 may include a plurality of ball bearings 190 (e.g., stainless steel) for massaging/rubbing the skin and help facilitate the feel of easier shaving with a faster, smoother motion of the moving shaving blades, regardless of the direction of shaving. According to one embodiment, the roller strips 180, 182, 184, 186 may be disposed along at least a portion of the leading edge region 157, the trailing/trailing edge region 159, the first lateral edge region 161, and the second lateral edge region 163, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the ball bearings 190 are located entirely around the periphery of the frame 188 and are close to each other; however, it should be understood that this is not a limitation of the present disclosure unless specifically required, and that the ball bearings 190 may be located around only a portion of the outer periphery of the frame 188 (e.g., only near a portion of the front edge region 157, the rear/trailing edge region 159, the first lateral edge region 161, and/or the second lateral edge region 163).

Referring now to fig. 30B, another embodiment of a cartridge 22 having at least a first shaving side 140 is generally shown. The blade holder 22 may be similar to the blade holder 22 shown and described in fig. 30A, however, one or more of the front edge region 157 and/or the rear/trailing edge region 159 may also include at least one elongated ball bearing/roller pin 190. The elongated ball bearing/roller pin 190 may extend along a majority of the front edge region 157 and/or the rear/trailing edge region 159 (e.g., along substantially the entire width of the blade holder 22).

Turning now to fig. 31, a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a cartridge 22 having a ball bearing 190 according to the present disclosure is generally shown. The ball bearings 190 may be located in receptacles (holes) 192 formed in the frame 188 of the cartridge 22. The ball bearings 190 may be inserted into the receptacles 192 from a rear side of the frame 188 (e.g., a surface generally opposite the exposed surface 193 of the cartridge 22 that contacts the user's skin) and may include exposed portions 191 that are exposed through and/or extend beyond the bearing openings 194 and/or exposed surfaces 193 of the first shaving side 140 of the frame 188 (it being understood that the ball bearings 190 described herein may also be disposed on the second shaving side 156). The receptacle 192 may then be closed at the entrance by a closure member 196, which may be press-fit into the receptacle 192.

Exposed portion 191 can be configured to extend beyond exposed surface 193 of frame 188 such that exposed portion 191 can contact the skin of a user. The one or more ball bearings 190 may move or retract relative to the frame 188 generally along line B (e.g., generally perpendicular to the exposed surface 193 of the frame 188) such that the amount that the exposed portion 191 of the ball bearing 190 extends through the bearing opening 194 and/or the exposed surface 193 of the frame 188 may vary.

For example, one or more ball bearings 190 may be disposed on a biasing device 198 (e.g., a compression, torsion, or coil spring). Biasing device 198 may be configured to urge ball bearing 190 generally outwardly beyond exposed surface 193 of frame 188. Upon application of a force in the opposite direction of the biasing device 198, the exposed portion 191 of the ball bearing 190 may retract (e.g., into the aperture 192) relative to the exposed surface 193 of the frame 188, and the ball bearing 190 may move generally along line B. In this manner, the biasing device 198 may dampen the rolling of the ball bearing 190 against the skin of the user.

Turning now to fig. 32, a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a cartridge 22 having a ball bearing 190 according to the present disclosure is generally shown. As shown in fig. 32, the ball bearings 190 may be mounted in the frame 188 of the cartridge 22 from an exposed surface 193 (e.g., the first shaving side 140) of the cartridge 22 that contacts the user's skin (rather than from the rear side of the frame 188 as generally shown in fig. 31). A biasing device 198 (e.g., a compression, torsion, or coil spring) may first be placed in a recess 200 formed in the frame 188, and then the ball bearing 190 may be seated on the biasing device 198. Thereafter, the housing/cover 202 may be mounted in the recess 200 by press fitting (forming a housing unit), wherein the housing/cover 202 includes a receptacle 204 for the ball bearing 190 and provides the bearing opening 194.

Turning now to fig. 33, a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of a cartridge 22 having a ball bearing 190 according to the present disclosure is generally shown. Ball bearing 190 may be mounted in a housing/cover 202 that is slidably inserted into a recess 200 formed in frame 188 and secured with a closure member 196 formed on an opposite side of an exposed surface 193 of frame 188. Portion 201 of frame 188 may extend substantially circumferentially around bearing opening 194 and define bearing opening 194 such that exposed surface 193 of frame 188 extends across at least a portion of cover 202. Rather than only allowing retraction of the ball bearing 190, the biasing device 198 and housing/cover 202 may be arranged such that both the ball bearing 190 and the housing/cover 202 may be retracted into the recess 200. A portion 201 of frame 188 extends across cover 202 such that when ball bearing 190 and housing/cover 202 are retracted into recess 200, an opening 194 is defined by portion 201 of frame 188.

Referring to fig. 34-35B, further embodiments of a cartridge 22 having a ball bearing 190 and an elongated ball bearing/roller pin 190, respectively, according to the present disclosure are generally illustrated. When the skin first contacts the shaving blades, the skin is taut. As part of the shaving experience, the user may choose to wash the area to be shaved with a warm towel or warm water prior to engaging the blades with the skin. While this helps, warm water may not always be available.

As generally shown in fig. 34-35B, the ball bearing 190 and elongated ball bearing/roller pin 190 may be characterized by a self-lubricating ball bearing and/or elongated ball bearing/roller pin that may serve as a "skin massager" and skin lubricant applicator while facilitating a smoother, faster, and more efficient shaving stroke. The ball bearing is configured to rotate freely in any direction. This eliminates "drag" typically associated with "glide bars" of shaving blades during a shaving stroke. The curved contact surfaces of the ball bearing 190 and/or the elongated ball bearing/roller pin 190 make them suitable for rolling over and rubbing the skin during a shaving stroke. This is basically massaging the skin, relaxing it in preparation for shaving. Any of the ball bearings 190 and the elongated ball bearing/roller pins 190 may optionally include a textured surface to help pick up or acquire lubricant as they rotate.

The self-lubricating ball bearing 190 and/or the elongated ball bearing/roller pin 190 may include a lubricant 197 configured to be in contact (e.g., without limitation, direct contact) with the ball bearing 190 and/or the elongated ball bearing/roller pin 190. Lubricants 197 may include semi-solid or solid lubricants, and may also include scented and/or unscented moisturizers, exfoliants, and the like. During a shaving stroke, the shaving razor is pulled through the skin and the one or more ball bearings 190 and/or the one or more elongated ball bearings/one or more roller pins 190 rotate. As the one or more ball bearings 190 and/or the one or more elongated ball bearings/one or more roller pins 190 rotate, they coat themselves with a skin lubricant 197. Lubricant 197 is then applied to the skin continuously before, during, and after each shaving stroke.

The ball bearings 190 and/or the elongated ball bearings/roller pins 190 may be biased as described herein. For example, as generally shown in fig. 34, a biasing device (e.g., spring, etc.) 198 may be disposed below the lubricant. The biasing device 198 may urge the lubricant 197 generally against the ball bearing 190, thereby causing the lubricant 197 to also drive the ball bearing 190 toward the opening 194. The biasing device 198 may dampen and/or attenuate the forces exerted on the lubricant 197 and promote smoother and smoother rotation of the ball bearing 190 and/or the elongated ball bearing/roller pin 190 when downward forces are applied during a shaving stroke. As the lubricant 197 diminishes, the biasing device 198 continues to apply an upward force, always providing actual contact between the lubricant 197 and the ball bearing 190 and/or the elongated ball bearing/roller pin 190 until finally the lubricant 197 is used up.

Alternatively (or additionally), a biasing device 198 (e.g., without limitation, a spring) may be coupled to the ball bearing 190 and/or the elongated ball bearing/roller pin 190, for example, as generally shown in fig. 35A and 35B. For example, the ball bearing 190 and/or the elongated ball bearing/roller pin 190 may include a pin 199 that extends outwardly from opposing portions (e.g., at opposing ends) of the ball bearing 190 and/or the elongated ball bearing/roller pin 190. The biasing device 198 may urge the pin 199, and thus the ball bearing 190 and/or the elongated ball bearing/roller pin 190, toward the opening 194. When the ball bearing 190 and/or the elongated ball bearing/roller pin 190 is urged in the opposite direction of the biasing device 198 (e.g., out of the opening 194), the ball bearing 190 and/or the elongated ball bearing/roller pin 190 may contact a portion of the lubricant 197. Optionally, a lubricant 197 may be disposed on the base 195, which may be urged generally toward the ball bearing 190 by one or more biasing devices 198.

Turning now to fig. 35C-35E, one embodiment of a retaining clip 3502 for mounting, securing, and/or otherwise coupling any of the ball bearings 190 described herein is generally illustrated. In particular, fig. 35C generally illustrates one embodiment of the retaining clip 3502 along with the lubricant 197, fig. 35D generally illustrates only one embodiment of the retaining clip 3502 and one embodiment of the ball bearing 190, and fig. 35E generally illustrates only one embodiment of the retaining clip 3502 (although it should be understood that these figures are provided for illustrative purposes only). The retaining clip 3502 may be configured to be at least partially received in a compartment 3504 formed in the blade assembly 22. The retention clip 3502 (fig. 35D and 35E) can include one or more legs or extensions 3506 that extend outwardly (e.g., downwardly) from a base region 3508 (which can form the opening 191). A portion (e.g., distal region) of the leg 3506 may include one or more barbs or the like 3510. The barbs 3510 are configured to engage with a portion of the sidewall of the surface 3512 (fig. 35C) of the chamber 3504 to substantially retain, secure, mount and/or couple the retention clip 3502 to the chamber 3504/blade assembly 22 and, thus, the ball bearing 190 (and optionally any lubricant 191 or the like) to substantially retain, secure, mount and/or couple to the chamber 3504/blade assembly 22. The surface 3512 (fig. 35C) side walls of the compartment 3504 may optionally include shoulders, recesses, and/or grooves 3514 configured to engage the barbs 3510 and form a mechanical connection to further assist in retaining the retention clip 3502 in the compartment 3504. The retention clips 3502 may allow for loading/insertion of the ball bearings 190 from the outside/exterior (front and/or rear) of the cartridge 22, for example, during assembly of the cartridge 22.

Referring to fig. 35F-35H, one embodiment of a cartridge 22 including a blade retention clip 3520 for mounting, securing, and/or otherwise coupling one or more (e.g., a plurality of) shaving blades 140 is generally shown. The blade retention clip 3520 described herein may be used to mount, secure, and/or otherwise couple any shaving blade known to those of skill in the art and is not limited to any of the embodiments described herein unless specifically required. Additionally (or alternatively), blade retention clip 3520 may be used to mount, secure, and/or otherwise couple any one or more shaving aids 160, one or more skin engaging strips 170, one or more skin lubricating and/or wetting

strips

172, 176, one or more skin lubricating and/or wetting strips 174, and the like. As such, the blade retaining clip 3520 may be used to mount, secure, and/or otherwise couple any combination of one or more shaving blades and/or one or more shaving aids 160, one or more skin engaging strips 170, one or more skin lubricating and/or wetting

strips

172, 176, one or more skin lubricating and/or wetting strips 174, and the like.

Referring to fig. 35F, cartridge 22 may include a housing and/or frame 188, which may be formed of plastic or metal, such as stainless steel. The cartridge 22 (e.g., frame/housing 188) may include a front edge region 157, a rear/trailing edge region 159, a first lateral edge region 161, and a second lateral edge region 163. In the embodiment shown, a blade retention clip 3520 is used at each

longitudinal end

150, 152 of the shaving blade 140, but this is for illustrative purposes and only one

lateral end

150, 152 of the shaving blade 140 may be secured with the blade retention clip 3520.

Turning now to fig. 35G, the blade retaining clip 3520 may be configured to be at least partially received in a retaining chamber 3522 formed in the blade assembly 22 (e.g., frame 188). The blade retention clip 3520 (fig. 35H) may include one or more legs or extensions 3526 extending outwardly (e.g., downwardly) from the base region 3528 (which may extend across the mounting width Wm of one or more of the shaving blades 140, one or more shaving aids 160, one or more skin engaging strips 170, one or more skin lubricating strips 172, 176, one or more skin lubricating and/or wetting strips 174, etc. held by the blade retention clip 3520). A portion (e.g., distal region) of the leg 3526 can include one or more barbs or the like 3530. The barbs 3530 are configured to engage a portion of the side walls of the surface 3532 (fig. 35G) of the blade chamber 3522 to generally retain, secure, mount and/or couple the blade retaining clip 3520 to the blade chamber 3522/blade assembly 22 and, thus, the shaving blade 140 to the blade chamber 3522/blade assembly 22. The surface 3532 (fig. 35G) side walls of the blade cavity 3522 can optionally include shoulders, recesses, and/or grooves 3534 configured to engage the barbs 3530 and form a mechanical connection to further assist in retaining the blade retaining clip 3520 in the blade cavity 3522. Blade retention clip 3520 may allow for loading/insertion of blades 140 from the outside/exterior (front and/or rear) of blade holder 22, for example, during assembly of blade holder 22.

As described herein, a cartridge 22 according to at least one embodiment described herein may include a first shaving side 140 and at least a second shaving side 156, each shaving side including one or more shaving blades 142 (see, e.g., fig. 5 and 9). In one embodiment, the faces or

sides

140, 156 may include identifying indicia to enable a user to identify one face or side or the other. For example, the Skin Engaging Strip (SES) and/or the lubricating strip may be colored differently on each respective face or

side

140, 156. Alternatively (or in addition), one or more shaving blades 142 may include indicia to allow a user to identify one face or side or the other face or side. For example, one or more shaving blades 142 may be colored differently on each respective face or

side

140, 156.

In all aspects described herein, although the second shaving side 156 is inverted relative to the first shaving side 140, the second shaving side 156 may be identical to the first shaving side 140 to facilitate proper orientation when the cartridge 22 is rotated 180 degrees. Referring to fig. 36, the front side 140 and/or the rear side 156 may include only a set of one or more shaving blades 142. Optionally, the front side 140 and the rear side 156 may include a first group 144 and a second group 146 of at least one shaving blade 142, as generally shown in fig. 37, arranged to shave in opposite shaving directions D1 and D2. A cartridge 22 having at least one shaving blade for cutting hairs in a first shaving stroke direction D1 and at least one shaving blade for cutting hairs in a second shaving stroke direction D2 on the

same face

140, 156 may be particularly useful to a user who wishes to shave his/her head because the user may move the shaving blade 10 in a "round-trip" manner without having to lift the shaving blade from the area being shaved to begin a new stroke.

For example, a "body" dual-blade bay combined configuration may be characterized by one or more bay sides/faces having two sets 144, 146 (e.g., fig. 37) of one or more blades 142 (e.g., without limitation, three blades in each set), with the first set 144 and the second set 146 arranged in opposite cutting directions D1, D2. The first and

second sets

144, 146 of blades 142 may be separated by a lubricating strip 176. This is a particularly useful blade arrangement for consumers who shave their heads or any other inconvenient area of the body, as they can take a "round trip" shaving stroke action without having to lift the razor blade from the area being shaved to begin a new stroke. Optionally, the second side/face of the cartridge may include one or more blades 142, all arranged in the same cutting direction for conventional shaving (e.g., fig. 36). This cartridge configuration gives the user great flexibility as only one device is required to shave any portion of the user's anatomy. One or more of the faces or

sides

140, 156 may have SES on the lower and upper portions of the cartridge 22. This arrangement may be particularly useful for body biplate combinations as described herein, where the sides of the blades in opposite cutting directions are the faces or

sides

140, 156 on which the two SES are placed.

Turning now to fig. 38-45, another embodiment of a cartridge 22 according to the present disclosure is generally shown. As discussed herein, the cartridge 22 may include more than two faces. In the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge 22 is shown as having a generally triangular cross-section with three faces, namely a first face 140, a second face 156, and a third face 240, each configured to rotate about a pivot axis PA. Any of the

faces

140, 156, 240 may include any arrangement of shaving blades, mirrors, ball bearings, etc., as described herein. Although the

faces

140, 156, 240 are shown as having substantially the same dimensions, it should be understood that one or more of the

faces

140, 156, 240 may be smaller or larger than one or more of the other faces 140, 156, 240. Additionally, it will be appreciated that any of the anti-pivot mechanisms or any combination described herein may be modified to cause the cartridge 22 to rotate (e.g., as generally shown by arrow H in fig. 41-45) to any of the initial starting positions corresponding to any of the

faces

140, 156, 240 of the cartridge 22. For example, FIG. 40 generally illustrates one embodiment of the pivot pin/cylinder 34 according to FIG. 14 having three

recesses

222A, 222B, and 222C corresponding to the three faces 140, 156, 240. However, it should be understood that this is just one embodiment and that any of the anti-pivot mechanisms described herein may be used with the cartridge 22 as shown in fig. 38-45.

Turning now to FIG. 46, another view of the shaving razor 10 according to the present disclosure is generally shown. The shaving razor 10 includes a replaceable head assembly 20 comprising a cartridge 22 and a cartridge support member 24. As shown, cartridge support member 24 includes a generally U-shaped cartridge support frame 26. The U-shaped cartridge support frame 26 includes two generally curved support arms 30. For example, the support arm 30 may have a generally C-shape or L-shape.

To facilitate pivotable attachment of cartridge 22 to cartridge support member 24 and subsequent use thereof, cartridge 22 and cartridge support member 24 may include one or more twists or pivot assemblies 3 that allow cartridge 22 to rotate about a pivot axis PA (e.g., about a direction generally perpendicular to longitudinal axis L of handle 60). As described herein and generally shown in fig. 47-49, the twist or pivot assembly 3 may be configured to allow the cartridge 22 to rotate about the pivot axis PA (e.g., in the direction of arrow W) about 180 degrees such that the front side 140 and the rear side 156 of the cartridge 22 may be used. According to one embodiment, the twist or pivot assembly 3 may be configured to allow the cartridge 22 to rotate about 360 degrees about the pivot axis PA.

Referring back to fig. 46, the twist or pivot assembly 3 may include pivot receivers 32 disposed in each support arm 30 of the cartridge support member 24 (such as, but not limited to, the distal section 40 of the support arm 30), each pivot receiver receiving a pivot pin/cylinder located on an opposite lateral side of the cartridge 22. The pivot pins/cylinders may extend generally outwardly from lateral sides of the blade holder 22. With the foregoing arrangement, the cartridge 22 is disposed between the support arms 30 and supported by each support arm 30 at a pivotal connection (assembly), and the cartridge 22 is capable of rotating about the pivot axis PA at any angle up to and including 360 °. It should be understood that the positions of the one or more pivot receptacles 32 and pivot pins may be switched (e.g., one or more pivot receptacles 32 may be located in the cartridge 22 and one or more pivot pins may extend outwardly from the support arm 30 of the cartridge support member 24). Additionally, a portion of one or more of the support arms 30 (such as, but not limited to, the distal end segment 40) may be at least partially received in one or more hub recesses or pivot receptacles 32 disposed in the lateral sides of the cartridge 22, as generally illustrated. Alternatively, it should be appreciated that a portion of one or more pivot pins/cylinders may be at least partially received in one or more recesses/hubs provided in the support arm 30 (e.g., without limitation, the distal section 40 of the support arm 30).

To cushion the use of the cartridge 22 while shaving, the one or more support arms 30 may include a cushioning mechanism 38. As shown, the second (distal) section 40 of each support arm 30 is configured to slide in a receptacle (e.g., a slotted recess) of the first (proximal) section 44 of each support arm 30. Each receptacle may include a compression (e.g., coil) spring or biasing device disposed therein. Alternatively (or additionally), the first section 44 may include the damping mechanism 38. In particular, the damping mechanism 38' (see, e.g., fig. 50) is configured to allow the first segment 44 (e.g., arm fin, etc. 87) to slide in a receptacle (e.g., slotted recess) of the support hub 50 (e.g., generally in the direction of arrow Q). Each receptacle may include a compression (e.g., coil) spring or biasing device 46 disposed therein.

In the foregoing manner, the biasing means of the damping mechanism 38 may compress in response to a downward force exerted on the blade holder 22, such compression biasing against the downward force. As such, such compression may absorb/attenuate downward forces to cushion the use of the cartridge 22. Further, because the damping mechanisms 38 of each support arm 30 are independent of each other, the damping mechanisms 38 may move and/or damp each lateral end of the cartridge 22 independently. It should be understood that in other embodiments of the shaving device 10, the cartridge support member 24 may not include the cushioning mechanism 38.

Referring now to fig. 47 and 50, a user may selectively removably couple the head assembly 20 to the handle 60. As can be appreciated, any mechanism for selectively coupling cartridge support member 24 to handle 60 may be used. The cartridge support member 24 may include a support hub 50 (e.g., as shown in fig. 50), which may be centrally disposed between the two support arms 30. The support hub 50 includes a mechanical connection element 52 that mechanically connects the cartridge support member 24 to a mechanical connection element 64 of the elongate shaft 62 of the handle 60 (e.g., as generally shown in fig. 1A).

For example, as shown in fig. 50, one embodiment of the connecting element 52 of the cartridge support member 24 includes a rectangular (e.g., square) handle 54 configured to fit within a corresponding recess 66 (e.g., rectangular and/or square recess) of the connecting element 64 of the handle 60. To provide a secure mechanical connection, the rectangular stem 54 includes a plurality of deformable (cantilevered) and/or spring-loaded engagement projections 56 that engage in the engagement holes 68 and fix (e.g., lock) the position of the head assembly 20 relative to the handle 60. In one embodiment, the deformable (cantilevered and/or spring-loaded) engagement projection 56 may be configured to move out of engagement with the engagement hole 68 when the actuator button 100 is depressed (e.g., as shown in fig. 47-49). Alternatively, the user may manually press the engagement tabs 56 inward, for example using the thumbs and/or fingers of each of his/her hands, respectively.

Once the engagement protrusion 56 is engaged in the engagement hole 68, the head assembly 20 and the handle 60 may be substantially prevented from being separated from each other. Thereafter (e.g., after the useful life of cartridge 22), the head assembly 20 and handle 60 may be separated from one another by pressing the engagement projections 56 inwardly out of engagement with the engagement holes 68 (e.g., manually using a user's fingers and/or by pressing buttons or the like provided on the handle 60 and/or replaceable head assembly 20) and pulling the handle portion 54 of the cartridge support member 24 out of the recess 66 of the handle 60. The used head assembly 20/cartridge 22 may then be replaced with a new head assembly 20/cartridge 22. Thus, as can be appreciated, a user may selectively removably couple the head assembly 20 to the handle 60.

While the handle 54 and recess 66 are shown as part of the cartridge support member 24 and handle 60, respectively, it should be understood that the arrangement of the handle 54 and recess 66 may be reversed (e.g., the handle 54 and recess 66 may be part of the handle 60 and cartridge support member 24, respectively, see, e.g., fig. 5). Additionally (or alternatively), while the deformable (cantilevered or spring loaded) engagement projections 56 and engagement holes 68 are shown as part of the handle 54 and recess 66, respectively, it is understood that the arrangement of the deformable (cantilevered or spring loaded) engagement projections 56 and engagement holes 68 may be reversed (e.g., the deformable (cantilevered or spring loaded) engagement projections 56 and engagement holes 68 may be part of the recess 66 and handle 54, respectively). Furthermore, it should be understood that connecting element 52 is not limited to the arrangement shown and/or described herein, unless specifically claimed, and that any connecting element 52 may be used that allows a user to selectively releasably couple head assembly 20 to handle 60.

Turning now to fig. 46, 51, and 52, another embodiment of a shaving blade 10 having a twisted portion 74 is generally illustrated. While the shaving razor 10 of fig. 25-27 may be used with any cartridge known to those skilled in the art, the shaving razor 10 of fig. 25-27 may be particularly useful for cartridges 22 having at least one face 140 with at least one shaving blade 142 aligned to cut in a first shaving direction D1 and at least one shaving blade 142 aligned to cut in a second shaving direction D2 (e.g., without limitation, cartridge 22 as generally shown in fig. 37).

The twist 74 may be configured to allow the head assembly 20 to rotate from the position generally shown in fig. 46 to the position generally shown in fig. 51 and 52. The handle 60 may include a first (proximal) shaft portion 75 coupled to a second (distal) shaft portion 77 by one or more twists 74 (fig. 51-52). The hinge 74 may include any hinge mechanism known to those skilled in the art and may include, for example, a locking mechanism (e.g., without limitation, a locking pawl, a ratchet mechanism, etc.) configured to allow a user to substantially lock or fix the relative position of the first shaft portion 75 with respect to the second shaft portion 77 (e.g., the head assembly 20 with respect to the handle 60).

For example, the twisted portion 74 may be configured to allow the first shaft portion 75 to swing approximately 90 degrees from the position shown in fig. 46 to the position shown in fig. 51 and 52 generally in the direction of the arc S. It will be appreciated that the twist 74 allows the first shaft portion 75 to oscillate in a direction (e.g., a plane or axis) generally perpendicular to a cutting edge axis CE (not shown for clarity) of the cutting edges of the one or more shaving blades 142 of the head assembly 20 when the shaving razor 10 is in the position shown in fig. 47.

The handle 60 (e.g., first shaft portion 75) and/or the support hub 50 may optionally include a shaft or pivot 177 configured to allow a user to swing or rotate the cartridge 22 about 90 degrees along an axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first shaft portion 75 and/or the support hub 50 (e.g., as shown by arrow E in fig. 51 and 52) such that the cutting edge axes CE of the cutting edges of the one or more shaving blades 142 of the head assembly 20 are aligned generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle 60, as generally shown in fig. 51 and 52. The shaft 177 may comprise any rotational or pivoting mechanism known to those skilled in the art and may include, for example, a locking mechanism (e.g., without limitation, a locking pawl, a ratchet mechanism, etc.) configured to allow a user to substantially lock or fix the relative position of the blade cartridge 22 with respect to the first shaft portion 75 and/or the support hub 50.

Alternatively, the user may manually disengage the head assembly 20 from the handle 60 and rotate the head assembly 20 to the desired position as shown. For example, the connection between the head assembly 20 and the handle 60 may be configured to allow the head assembly 20 to be aligned in two or more different orientations relative to the handle 60. By way of non-limiting example, the connection between the head assembly 20 and the handle 60 may be substantially symmetrical, such as substantially circular and/or square.

The shaving razor 10 having the twisted portion 74 and the shaft 177 as described above may be particularly useful for shaving a user's head and/or body. In particular, aligning the cutting edge axes CE of the cutting edges 151 of one or more shaving blades 142 of the head assembly 20 generally parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the handle 60, as generally shown in fig. 51 and 52, may facilitate shaving a user's head and/or body as compared to aligning the cutting edge axes CE of the cutting edges of the shaving blades 142 generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the handle 60, as generally shown in fig. 46.

The cartridge 22 of fig. 46, 51, and 52 may optionally include any of the twists and/or anti-pivot mechanisms described herein to allow the cartridge 22 to rotate about the pivot axis PA (e.g., as generally shown by arrow T). Cartridge 22 may include any of the anti-pivot mechanisms described in fig. 11-17, which is not a limitation of the present disclosure unless specifically claimed as such. The anti-pivot mechanisms described in fig. 11-17 may be particularly suitable for use with the twisted portion 74 and the shaft 177 because they do not include the biasing pin 92. Thus, when arranged at the position shown in fig. 51 and 52, the blade holder 22 may be located at a position closer to the second shaft portion 77.

As discussed herein, a shaving razor 10 having a twisted portion 74 and a shaft 177 may be used with any of the blade cartridges 22 described herein. By way of non-limiting example, a shaving razor 10 having a twist 74, a pivot 177, and a cartridge having three faces (i.e., a first face 140, a second face 156, and a third face 240) is generally illustrated in fig. 53.

Referring to fig. 51-53, the shaving razor 10 (and particularly the cartridge 22) may optionally include one or more (e.g., a plurality of) wash-out apertures 102. The wash-out apertures 102 may be disposed along one or more facets 104 of the cartridge 22 and may be configured to substantially prevent the cartridge 22 from becoming clogged with hair and/or shaving cream during the shaving process. In particular, the wash-out apertures 102 may allow hair and/or shaving cream to "wash out" through the wash-out apertures 102 by rinsing the cartridge 22 with water.

Turning now to fig. 54, one embodiment of a head assembly 20 including an anti-wobble mechanism 540 is generally shown. The head assembly 20 includes one or more arms 30 rotatably coupled to a support hub 50. The anti-wobble mechanism 540 may include one or more biasing devices (e.g., without limitation, springs, etc.) configured to urge the one or more arms 30 in a direction generally opposite to arrow W. In use, a user may apply a force in the general direction of arrow W while shaving and the anti-wobble mechanism 540 may cause the cartridge 22 to wobble in the direction of arrow W. It should be understood that while the arm 30 is shown as moving/swinging relative to the support hub 50, the first section 44 of the arm 30 may be stationary relative to the support hub 50 and the second section 40 of the arm 30 may be biased as described herein to allow the blade holder 22 to swing in the direction of arrow W. Alternatively (or additionally), the anti-wobble mechanism 540 may be incorporated into the twisted portion pin 76, for example, as generally shown in fig. 47-49. As such, the head assembly 20 may be biased relative to the handle 60 generally in the direction opposite arrow W, and the head assembly 20 may move relative to the handle 60 generally in the direction of arrow W when a user applies a force while shaving.

Turning to fig. 55-57, another embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism is generally shown. The anti-pivot mechanism may include a cartridge pivot biasing mechanism 90 and/or a cartridge rotation limiter 35. As explained herein, the cartridge pivot biasing mechanism 90 may allow the cartridge 22 to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise about the pivot axis PA relative to the initial starting position. The initial starting position may correspond to the location/orientation/position of the cartridge 22 relative to the cartridge support member 24 and/or the handle 60 when no external forces are applied to the cartridge 22. Each face (e.g., faces 140, 156) may have a respective initial starting position.

The anti-pivot mechanism may generate a biasing force that urges the cartridge 22 toward the initial starting position. For example, the biasing force generated by the cartridge pivot biasing mechanism 90 may include a spring force and/or a magnetic force. The magnetic force may be an attractive magnetic force (e.g., a magnetic force that causes the cartridge 22 to be pushed/pulled toward the cartridge support member 24 or handle 60) and/or a repulsive magnetic force (e.g., a magnetic force that causes the cartridge 22 to be pushed away from the cartridge support member 24 or handle 60). The magnetic force (attractive and/or repulsive) may be between two or more magnets (e.g., generated by two or more magnets) with the poles of the magnets aligned to generate an attractive or repulsive force. For example, one or more magnets may be coupled/secured to cartridge 22 and one or more magnets may be coupled/secured to cartridge support member 24.

A magnetic force may be generated between one or more magnets coupled/secured to the cartridge 22 and a ferromagnetic material coupled/secured to the cartridge support member 24 (it should be understood that the arrangement of the magnets and ferromagnetic material relative to the cartridge 22 and cartridge support member 24 may also be reversed).

The one or more magnets may be permanent magnets and/or electromagnets. It will also be appreciated that when electromagnets are used, the current may be adjusted to selectively change the orientation of the resulting magnetic field.

Referring to fig. 55, one embodiment of a cartridge pivot biasing mechanism 90 that generates a magnetic biasing force to drive the cartridge 22 toward an initial starting position is generally illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, cartridge pivot biasing mechanism 90 includes at least one magnet 99a (which may be referred to as cartridge magnet 99 a) located in cartridge 22 and at least one magnet 99b (which may be referred to as cartridge support member magnet 99 b) located in cartridge support member 24. One or more of the cartridge magnets 99a and/or the cartridge support member magnets 99b may be permanent magnets and/or electromagnets. For clarity, a power supply (e.g., one or more batteries, etc.) for the electromagnets is not shown.

As shown, one or more cartridge magnets 99a may be located in the cartridge frame 188. For example, one or more cartridge magnets 99a may extend longitudinally along an axis that is generally parallel to the pivot axis PA of the cartridge frame 188. In particular, one or more cartridge magnets 99a may be arranged along the outer

longitudinal regions

157, 159 of the cartridge frame 188 (e.g., adjacent blades 142) which may be further understood as the front edge region 157 and the rear/trailing edge region 159 relative to the cutting direction as explained herein.

In addition to or as an alternative to being located at the outer

longitudinal regions

157, 159 of the cartridge frame 188, one or more cartridge magnets 99a may be located at one or both of the outer

lateral regions

161, 163 of the cartridge frame 188 of the cartridge 22. The cartridge magnet 99a may be completely enclosed within the cartridge frame 188 (i.e., not visible) or may have one or more exposed surfaces on the cartridge frame 188.

When one or more cartridge magnets 99a are located in the outer

longitudinal regions

157, 159 of the cartridge frame 188, one or more cooperating cartridge support member magnets 99b may be located in a portion of the cartridge support member 24 that is opposite below the outer

longitudinal regions

157, 159 of the cartridge frame 188 when the cartridge 22 is in its use position. More particularly, the cartridge support member magnet 99b may be located in the base 45 of the yoke 47 of the cartridge support member 24, and the cartridge support member 24 may include the proximal section 44 of the at least one support arm 30.

Alternatively or additionally, when one or more cartridge magnets 99a are located in the outer

lateral regions

161, 163 of the cartridge frame 188, one or more cooperating cartridge support member magnets 99b may be located in the respective distal section 40 of the at least one support arm 30.

As explained in more detail below, the magnetic field generated by cartridge magnet 99a and cartridge support member magnet 99b may generate an attracting and/or repelling biasing force that urges cartridge 22 toward an initial starting position. As long as the cartridge 22 is within the range of predetermined pivot angles θ, and more particularly at an intermediate pivot angle θ that is in the middle of the predetermined range of pivot angles, the magnetic biasing force may urge the cartridge 22 toward an initial starting position, as shown in fig. 56.

For operation, as best shown in fig. 56, the cooperating cartridge magnets 99a and cartridge support member magnets 99b are arranged such that the polarities of their respective magnetic fields (as indicated by their north and south poles N and S) attract and/or repel each other within a predetermined range of pivot angles, with the interaction of the attracting and/or repelling magnetic fields increasing toward a maximum level at an intermediate pivot angle θ (e.g., generally corresponding to an initial starting position) in the middle of the range of predetermined pivot angles θ.

As shown, the range of pivot angles θ and the intermediate pivot angle θ at which the force attracting and/or repelling the magnetic field is at its maximum level may be determined by the angle formed between the front surface 140 of the cartridge 22 and the longitudinal axis L of the handle 60 of the shaving device 10.

Thus, it should be understood that one or more cooperating cartridge magnets 99a and one or more cartridge support member magnets 99b are arranged such that the magnetic interaction between the interacting (attracting and/or repelling) magnetic fields of one or more cooperating cartridge magnets 99a and one or more cartridge support member magnets 99b varies with the rotation of the cartridge 22 and the rotational position of the cartridge 22.

Further, it should also be understood that when one or more cooperating cartridge magnets 99a and one or more cartridge support member magnets 99b are arranged such that there is a magnetic interaction between the attracting and/or repelling magnetic fields of the one or more cooperating cartridge magnets 99a and one or more cartridge support member magnets 99b, the force of the interacting (attracting and/or repelling) magnetic fields will rotate the cartridge 22 toward an intermediate pivot angle θ that is in the middle of the range of predetermined pivot angles θ, i.e., to a position (e.g., an initial starting position) where the one or more cartridge magnets 99a and one or more cartridge support member magnets 99b are aligned with each other (e.g., fully aligned) and the interaction of the magnetic fields is at their greatest force, without any over-running biasing force.

Referring now to fig. 57, the shaving device 10 may optionally include a cartridge rotation limiter 35. The cartridge rotation limiter 35 allows a user to rotate the cartridge 22 about the pivot axis PA to select one of the plurality of sides/faces 140, 156 and to rotate the cartridge 22 within a predetermined range of rotation at a selected blade/facial position to fit the user's skin contour during normal use of the shaving razor.

The cartridge rotation limiter 35 may include at least one pawl 220 configured to extend generally upwardly from the arm 30. The pivot pin/cylinder 34 of the cartridge 22 may include a plurality of recesses 222 configured to receive distal ends 224 of the pawls 220. The location of the recesses 222 may correspond to one of the

faces

140, 156, respectively, of the blade holder 22. When the distal ends 224 of the detents 220 are engaged in the recesses 222, each recess 222 may allow the cartridge 22 to rotate in a range of 1 to 90 degrees, and more particularly in a range of 2 to 45 degrees, and even more particularly in a range of 5 to 30 degrees.

The pawl 220 may be located at the tip of a slidable thumb switch release 28 (fig. 57) that is biased upward (engaged) by a spring 29. Slidable thumb switch release 28 may be pressed downward against the bias of spring 29 to remove distal end 224 of pawl 220 from recess 222, thereby rotating cartridge 22 without being constrained or restricted by recess 222. After retraction, the slidable thumb switch release 28 may be released and the distal end 224 of the pawl 220 may enter a different recess 222 corresponding to the other face (e.g., 140, 156) of the cartridge 22 after the cartridge 22 is rotated thereon. Thus, the dimensions of the recesses 222 and detents 220 will determine the range of rotation corresponding to each face (e.g., 140, 156) of the cartridge 22.

In the foregoing embodiments, the pawl 220, and more particularly the distal end 224, may be rigid and non-deformable. However, in an alternative embodiment, at least the distal end 224 of the pawl 220 may be resiliently deformable and the slidable thumb switch release 28 may be eliminated. In such embodiments, the detents 220, and more particularly the distal end 224, may be disengaged from the recesses 222 by deforming the detents 220 using a rotational force applied to the blade holder 22.

It should also be understood that while the recess 222 is shown as part of the cartridge 22 and the pawl 220 is shown coupled to the cartridge support member 24, the orientation of these components may be reversed.

It should be understood that the cartridge pivot biasing mechanism 90 of fig. 55-57 may be incorporated into any of the anti-pivot mechanisms described herein. For example, the cartridge pivot biasing mechanism 90 of fig. 55-57 may be combined in any of the cartridge rotation limiters 35 described herein.

Turning now to fig. 58-64, yet another embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism is generally shown. Referring to fig. 58, the anti-pivot mechanism may include a cartridge pivot biasing mechanism 90 configured to apply a magnetic biasing force to urge the cartridge 22 toward an initial starting position while rotating the cartridge 22 clockwise and counterclockwise about the pivot axis PA and/or a cartridge rotation limiter 35 that allows the cartridge 22 to rotate within a predetermined range from the initial starting position.

Turning now to fig. 59A and 60, a partially transparent view of the cartridge pivot biasing mechanism 90 and the cartridge rotation limiter 35 is generally shown, wherein the cartridge support member 24 is partially transparent. Similar to the embodiment of fig. 55-57, the cartridge pivot biasing mechanism 90 of fig. 58-64 features a plurality of

magnets

99a, 99b arranged such that a magnetic field causes the cartridge 22 to be biased toward an initial starting position. In addition, the cartridge rotation limiter 35 of fig. 58-64 features one or more detents, detents (e.g., resiliently deformable detents) and/or recesses on the cartridge 22 and/or cartridge support member 24 configured to substantially limit rotation of the cartridge 22 relative to an initial starting position within a predetermined range of rotation and/or provide an indication to a user of selection of another face (e.g., 140 or 156) of the cartridge 22.

With continued reference to fig. 59-60 and 61-62, one embodiment of the cartridge support member 24 is generally illustrated. Cartridge support member 24 includes one or more cartridge support member magnets 99b coupled to one or more support arms 30. Cartridge support member magnet 99b may be placed at any location on cartridge support member 24 such as, but not limited to, generally above or below pivot axis PA/pivot receiver 32. While cartridge support member magnets 99b are generally shown as having a generally cylindrical shape, it should be understood that cartridge support member magnets 99b may have other shapes. For example, the cartridge support member magnet 99b may have a generally arcuate shape that generally extends from the pivot axis PA along a radius of rotation that generally corresponds to the distance (i.e., radius) of the cartridge magnet 99a from the pivot axis PA, as described herein. Additionally, although only one cartridge support member magnet 99b is shown coupled to each arm 30, one or more arms 30 may have multiple cartridge support member magnets 99b or no cartridge support member magnets 99b.

Cartridge support member 24 may also optionally include one or more detents, and/or recesses 6102 that engage corresponding elements of cartridge 22 to generally limit rotation of cartridge 22 relative to an initial starting position to within a predetermined range of rotation and/or provide an indication to a user of selection of another face (e.g., 140 or 156) of cartridge 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge support member 24 is shown with one detent 6102 extending generally outwardly from each support arm 30. The detent 6102 may be resiliently deformable or substantially rigid. Although each support arm 30 is shown with one detent 6102, it is understood that one or more support arms 30 may include multiple detents 6102 or have no detents 6102. Additionally, it should be understood that the one or more support arms 30 may include one or more recesses and/or detents configured to engage with detents, or recesses on the cartridge 22.

With continued reference to fig. 59-60 and 63-64, one embodiment of the cartridge 22 is generally shown. The blade cartridge 22 includes one or more blade cartridge magnets 99a coupled thereto. For example, the blade cartridge 22 may include one or more (e.g., a plurality of) blade cartridge magnets 99a coupled to one or more lateral ends of the blade cartridge 22. The blade cartridge magnets 99a may be arranged about a pivot axis PA, such as about pivot pin/cylinder 34, and may be disposed a distance (e.g., radius) from the pivot axis PA such that the blade cartridge magnets 99a and blade cartridge support magnets 99b are substantially the same distance (radius) from the pivot axis PA And (4) aligning. The

magnets

99a, 99b may also be aligned such that when the

magnets

99a, 99b are aligned and generally facing each other, the separation distance D between the blade holder magnets 99a and the blade holder support magnets 99b _sep (FIG. 59A) is substantially minimized. Aligning

magnets

99a, 99b such that the radii from pivot axis PA are substantially the same may enhance the biasing force of

magnets

99a, 99b, thereby increasing the biasing force urging blade holder 22 toward the initial starting position.

While the blade holder 22 in fig. 63 and 64 is shown with four blade holder magnets 99a on each end, it should be understood that this is an illustrative example and that the blade holder 22 may have more or less than four blade holder magnets 99a. Additionally, one or more cartridge magnets 99a may have a generally arcuate shape with a radius generally corresponding to the distance (e.g., radius) of the cartridge support magnet 99b from the pivot axis PA. Also, while cartridge support member 24 is shown in fig. 61 and 62 as having one cartridge support member magnet 99b on each arm 30, it should be understood that this is an illustrative example and cartridge support member 24 may have more or less than one cartridge support member magnet 99b on each arm 30 (e.g., only one arm 30 may include one or more cartridge support member magnets 99b or both arms may include at least one cartridge support member magnet 99 b).

As discussed herein, cartridge magnet 99a and cartridge support member magnet 99b may be arranged to bias the cartridge toward an initial starting position. Accordingly, blade cartridge magnets 99a and blade cartridge support member magnets 99b may be arranged in any manner to achieve this effect. For example, fig. 59B, 59C, and 59D generally illustrate various embodiments of possible arrangements of blade holder magnets 99a and blade holder support member magnets 99B, and possible alignments of various poles of blade holder magnets 99a and blade holder support member magnets 99B. It should be understood that this is provided for illustrative purposes only, and that the present disclosure is not limited to a particular arrangement of cartridge magnets 99a and cartridge support member magnets 99b unless specifically claimed as such.

The cartridge 22 may also optionally include one or more detents, and/or recesses 6302 that engage with corresponding detents, and/or recesses 6102 of the cartridge support member 24 to generally limit rotation of the cartridge 22 relative to an initial starting position within a predetermined range of rotation and/or provide an indication to a user of selection of another face (e.g., 140 or 156) of the cartridge 22.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge 22 is shown with one or more detents 6302 extending generally outwardly from one or more lateral ends of the cartridge 22. The detents 6302 may be arranged about the pivot axis PA, e.g., about the pivot pin/cylinder 34, and may be disposed a distance (e.g., radius) from the pivot axis PA such that the detents 6302 of the cartridge 22 and the detents 6102 of the cartridge support member 24 are generally aligned at substantially the same distance (radius) from the pivot axis PA.

Detents

6102, 6302 may extend outwardly from cartridge support member 24 and cartridge 22, respectively, such that

detents

6102, 6302 substantially interfere with each other when cartridge 22 rotates about pivot axis PA. For example, the

detents

6102, 6302 may substantially contact each other as the cartridge 22 rotates about the pivot axis PA. Contact of the

detents

6102, 6302 may substantially prevent further rotation of the cartridge 22 in the clockwise and/or counterclockwise directions.

For example, the two

detents

6302a, 6302b may be aligned on generally opposite sides of the pivot axis PA (e.g., generally 180 degrees apart from each other). Aligning the

detents

6302a, 6302b 180 degrees apart from each other will generally allow the cartridge 22 to rotate about 90 degrees in various directions (e.g., clockwise and counterclockwise) from an initial starting position. It should be appreciated that the number and alignment of the detents 6302 may be selected to allow the cartridge 22 to rotate within any predetermined range. For example, the additional detents 6302 may be arranged less than 180 degrees (e.g., less than 90 degrees relative to an initial starting position) to allow the cartridge 22 to rotate less than 90 degrees relative to the initial starting position.

According to one embodiment, the

detents

6102, 6302 may be substantially rigid. Thus, the selection is made on the non-application sideWith force, contact between the

detents

6102, 6302 will substantially prevent further rotation of the cartridge 22. As used herein, a face selection force is defined as an amount of force that exceeds the normal force applied to the cartridge 22 during normal shaving. To rotate the cartridge 22 beyond a predetermined range of rotation to select a different face (e.g., 140 or 156), a user may apply a face-selecting force to the cartridge 22, which may cause the one or more support arms 30 of the cartridge support member 24 to deflect outward and increase the separation distance D between the cartridge 22 and the cartridge support member 24 _sep Thereby allowing the stop 6302 of cartridge 22 to rotate past the stop 6102 of cartridge support member 24. Once the stop 6302 of the cartridge 22 passes the stop of the cartridge support member 24, the resistance exerted by the cartridge support member 24 against the cartridge 22 will be significantly reduced, thereby indicating to the user that another face (e.g., 140, 156) has been selected. The face selection force may be selected such that the user will have to intentionally apply the necessary force to select a face such that another face cannot be accidentally selected during normal shaving use.

It should be understood that while cartridge 22 and cartridge support member 24 are shown with two detents 6302 and one detent 6102 at each end, respectively, the number and arrangement of

detents

6302, 6102 may be switched and/or varied depending on the intended application.

Additionally, it should be understood that although the

detents

6302, 6102 have been described as being rigid, one or more of the

detents

6302, 6102 may be resiliently deformable. In such an arrangement, the support arm 30 may be substantially rigid (i.e., the support arm 30 does not have to deflect to select another face).

Also, it should be understood that one or

more detents

6302, 6102 may be replaced with recesses and/or detents. As a non-limiting example, the detent 6302 on the cartridge 22 may be replaced with a recess and the detent 6102 on the cartridge support member 24 may be received in the recess. The length of the recess may generally correspond to a desired predetermined range of rotation about the pivot axis PA. To select another facet, the user will apply a facet-selective force that deforms the detent 6102 and/or deflects the support arm 30. Of course, detents 6102 on cartridge support member 24 may be replaced with recesses and detents 6302 on cartridge 22 may be received in the recesses. Optionally, one or more of the

detents

6302, 6102 may be replaced with detents (e.g., resiliently deformable detents) that engage corresponding recesses on the cartridge 22 and/or cartridge support member 24. Also, one or

more detents

6302, 6102 may engage corresponding detents (e.g., resiliently deformable detents) on the cartridge 22 and/or the cartridge support member 24.

It should be further understood that the cartridge pivot biasing mechanism 90 of fig. 58-64 may be incorporated into any of the anti-pivot mechanisms described herein. For example, the cartridge pivot biasing mechanism 90 of fig. 58-64 may be combined in any of the cartridge rotation limiters 35 described herein. Also, the cartridge rotation limiter 35 of fig. 58-64 may be used with any of the cartridge pivot biasing mechanisms 90 described herein. While the

magnets

99a, 99b are shown on the lateral ends of the cartridge 22 and the support arms 30 of the cartridge support member 24, it should be understood that the

magnets

99a, 99b may be disposed in the front edge region 157 and the rear/back edge region 159 as well as the yoke region 47 (e.g., as generally shown in fig. 55-57).

It should be further understood that although the cartridge pivot biasing mechanism 90 is shown as having both the cartridge magnet 99a and the cartridge support member magnet 99b, either of these

magnets

99a, 99b may be removed and replaced with a ferromagnetic element such that the remaining

magnet

99a or 99b will create an attractive magnetic biasing force urging the cartridge 22 toward the initial starting position.

Turning now to fig. 65-69, another embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism is generally shown. The anti-pivot mechanism may include a cartridge pivot biasing mechanism 90 and/or a cartridge rotation limiter 35. As explained herein, the cartridge pivot biasing mechanism 90 may allow the cartridge 22 to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise about the pivot axis PA relative to the initial starting position. The initial starting position may correspond to the location/orientation/position of the cartridge 22 relative to the cartridge support member 24 and/or the handle 60 when no external forces are applied to the cartridge 22. Each face (e.g., faces 140, 156) may have a respective initial starting position.

The cartridge pivot biasing mechanism 90 may include any of the cartridge pivot biasing mechanisms 90 described herein. In the embodiment shown in fig. 65-69, cartridge pivot biasing mechanism 90 includes one or more magnets 99a and/or 99b configured to generate a magnetic biasing force as described herein. Accordingly, details of the cartridge pivot biasing mechanism 90 will not be described in detail for the sake of brevity.

With continued reference to fig. 65 and 66-67, one embodiment of cartridge support member 24 is generally illustrated. Cartridge support member 24 may include one or more biased detents or pins 6602. The biased detent or pin 6602 may include a cylinder 6604 and a pin 6606 biased, for example, by a spring, pneumatic pressure, or the like. The cylinder 6604 may be separate from or integral with the cartridge support member 24 (e.g., the cylinder 6604 may be formed by the support arm 30). The pin or detent 6606 can be biased to extend outward from the cylinder 6604. Although each support arm 30 is shown with a biased detent/pin 6602, it is understood that each support arm 30 may have more than one biased detent/pin 6602 or no biased detent/pin 6602.

With continued reference to fig. 65 and 67-69, one embodiment of the cartridge 22 is generally shown. The cartridge 22 may include one or more cams or recesses 6802 corresponding to each face (e.g., 140, 156) of the cartridge 22. The cam or recess 6802 may be coupled to one or more pivot pins/cylinders 34. The cam or recess 6802 may be configured to receive and/or engage a pin or detent 6606 of the biased detent/pin 6602. The profile and/or length of the cam or recess 6802 and the pin/detent 6606 may determine a predetermined range of rotation of the cartridge 22. For example, the pin/detent 6606 may be received in and engage a contoured surface (e.g., cam surface) such that the cartridge 22 may be rotated within a predetermined range of rotation with relative ease during normal shaving use. To rotate the blade cartridge 22 to select another face (e.g., 140, 156), a user may apply a face selection force to the blade cartridge 22. The surface selection force may be sufficient to cause the pin/detent 6606 to retract against the force of a biasing mechanism (e.g., spring, etc.) in the cylinder 6604, such that the pin/detent 6606 may disengage from the cam or recess 6802. As the user continues to rotate the blade holder 22, the pin/detent 6606 will engage another cam/recess 6802 corresponding to the selected face (e.g., 140, 156). It should be understood that the arrangement of the biased pawl/pin 6602 and cam 6802 may be switched.

Turning now to fig. 70-76, another embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism is generally shown. The anti-pivot mechanism may include a cartridge pivot biasing mechanism 90 and/or a cartridge rotation limiter 35. As explained herein, the cartridge pivot biasing mechanism 90 may allow the cartridge 22 to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise about the pivot axis PA relative to the initial starting position. The initial starting position may correspond to the location/orientation/position of the cartridge 22 relative to the cartridge support member 24 and/or the handle 60 when no external forces are applied to the cartridge 22. Each face (e.g., faces 140, 156) may have a respective initial starting position.

Referring to fig. 70, one embodiment of the head assembly 20 is generally illustrated with the cartridge 22 shown in a partially removed cross-section. The blade cartridge 22 is coupled to the shaft 7002 by a detent plate 7004 that engages with one or more cams 7006 of the shaft 7002. The shaft 7002 is biased clockwise and/or counterclockwise about the pivot axis PA by one or more biasing devices (e.g., one or more springs, including but not limited to one or more torsion springs 7008, coupled to one or more support arms 30 of the cartridge support member 24, as generally shown in fig. 71-73). For example, the one or more support arms 30 can include a cavity, groove, or the like to receive at least a portion of the one or more springs 7008. In particular, at least two springs 7008 can be at least partially wound about a portion of the shaft 7002 and can engage one or more arms/ears 7010 (e.g., fig. 71) extending outwardly from one or more cams 7006 to urge the arms/ears and cams 7006, respectively, clockwise or counterclockwise about the pivot line PA. Because cam 7006 is coupled to shaft 7002, and shaft 7002 is coupled to cartridge 22 through detent plate 7004, spring 7008 thereby urges cartridge 22 to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise about pivot axis PA relative to the initial starting position.

The brake plate 7004 is coupled/secured to the frame of the cartridge 22. As described above, the detent 7004 couples the cartridge 22 to the shaft 7002. In particular, detent plate 7004 (fig. 74-76) includes one or more resiliently deformable detents 7402, said detents 7402 engaging cam surfaces 7102 (best seen in fig. 71) of cams 7006 to releasably couple detent plate 7004 (and thus the frame of cartridge 22) to cams 7006 and thus the frame of cartridge 22 to shaft 7002.

To select another face, the user may apply a face selection force to the cartridge 22 to push the cartridge 22 clockwise or counterclockwise. As the blade holder 22 rotates, the spring 7008 will exert a resistance force. Once the resistance of the spring exceeds the clamping force of the resiliently deformable detent 7402, the resiliently deformable detent 7402 will disengage from the cam surface 7102, thereby allowing the detent plate 7004 (and thus the frame of the cartridge 22) to rotate relative to the cams 7006 and the shaft 7002. As the user continues to rotate cartridge 22 about cams 7006 and axis 7002, resiliently deformable detents 7402 will engage the cam surfaces in an alignment corresponding to the selected face (e.g., 140, 156). For example, once resiliently deformable detent 7402 disengages cam 7006, the user may rotate cartridge 22 by about 180 degrees. Once the desired face of the cartridge 22 is selected, the user releases the cartridge 22 and spring 7008, which causes the cartridge 22 to align (e.g., center) at a new initial starting position within a predetermined range of rotation.

According to another feature of the present disclosure, one or more magnets may be used to couple head assembly 20 to handle 60. For example, one or more magnets may be coupled/secured to a portion of head assembly 20, and one or more magnets may be coupled/secured to a portion of handle 60 (e.g., a collar). The magnets in the head assembly 20 and handle 60 may be configured to produce an attractive magnetic force sufficient to attach the head assembly 20 to the handle 60 during normal shaving use. Further, one or more mechanical fasteners (e.g., clips, snaps, threads, rods (posts), recesses, etc.) may be used. For example, the head assembly 20 may include a recess/cavity configured to receive a rod/protrusion extending from the handle 60. Although the head assembly 20 and the handle 60 may each include a magnet, it should be understood that only the head assembly 20 or the handle 60 may include one or more magnets and the other components may include ferromagnetic material that is attracted by the magnetic field of the magnets. The one or more magnets may comprise electromagnets and/or permanent magnets. It should also be understood that the magnetic coupling of the head assembly 20 and the handle 60 may be used with any of the head assemblies 20 and handles 60 described herein.

Turning now to fig. 77-78, one embodiment of a head assembly 20 and handle 60 configured to be coupled together using one or more magnets according to the present disclosure is generally illustrated. In particular, fig. 77 generally shows the head assembly 20 and handle 60 in an unassembled state, and fig. 78 generally shows the head assembly 20 and handle 60 in an assembled state. It should be understood that the magnetic coupling described herein may be used with any head assembly known to those skilled in the art, including, but not limited to, any of the head assemblies described herein.

As can be seen, one or more magnets 7702 may be coupled/secured to a portion of head assembly 20, and one or more magnets 7704 may be coupled/secured to a portion of handle 60 (e.g., collar 7714). The

magnets

7702, 7704 in the head assembly 20 and the handle 60 may be configured to produce an attractive magnetic force sufficient to couple the head assembly 20 to the handle 60 during normal shaving use. Further, one or more mechanical fasteners (e.g., clips, snaps, threads, rods, recesses, etc.) may be used. For example, the head assembly 20 may include a recess/cavity 7706 configured to receive a rod/protrusion 7708 extending from the handle 60 (although it should be understood that the arrangement of the recess/cavity 7706 and the rod/protrusion 7708 may be switched).

While the head assembly 20 and the handle 60 may include

magnets

7702, 7704, respectively, alternatively the head assembly 20 or the handle 60 may include one or more magnets and the other components may include ferromagnetic material that is attracted by the magnetic field of the magnets. One or more of the

magnets

7702, 7704 may comprise an electromagnet and/or a permanent magnet. It should also be understood that the magnetic coupling of the head assembly 20 and the handle 60 may be used with any of the head assemblies 20 and handles 60 described herein.

One or

more magnets

7702, 7704 may be exposed at the

exterior surfaces

7710, 7712 of the head assembly 20 and/or handle 60. In such embodiments, one or

more magnets

7702, 7704 may contact each other when in an assembled state.

Alternatively (or additionally), one or

more magnets

7702, 7704 may be covered by the

outer surfaces

more magnets

7702, 7704 may not contact each other, but rather, when in an assembled state, there may be a magnetic space or gap between the

magnets

7702, 7704. When in the assembled state, a magnetic space or gap is provided between the

magnets

7702, 7704, which may allow the head assembly 20 to move longitudinally relative to the handle 60 (e.g., generally along arrow 7802 in fig. 78). This movement of the head assembly 20 relative to the handle 60 may provide a cushioning effect while shaving and/or may serve as an indication to the user that the user is applying too much pressure while shaving. According to one embodiment, the lever/protrusion 7708 can be biased forward such that the lever/protrusion 7708 contacts the base of the recess/cavity 7706 upon initial assembly. During use, a force applied to the head assembly 20 and/or the handle 60 may cause the head assembly 20 to apply a force against the biasing force of the rod/protrusion 7708, thereby moving the rod/protrusion 7708 against the biasing force and allowing the head assembly 20 to move relative to the handle 60.

As discussed herein, the handle 60 may include a collar 7714 that is mounted, secured, and/or otherwise coupled to the body portion 7716 of the handle 60 or molded as part of the handle. Alternatively, the collars 7714 may be combined as part of the body portion 7716 into a single unit. According to one embodiment, the stem/protrusion 7708 can extend generally outward from the body portion 7716 and can be at least partially received in the stem cavity 7718 in the collar 7714. One advantage of this arrangement is that the magnet 7704 may be secured (e.g., without limitation, overmolded) into the collar 7714 and then the collar 7714 may be secured to the body portion 7716. This may allow the number, size, shape, and/or arrangement of magnets 7704 to be easily changed for various designs without having to change the manufacture (e.g., without limitation, molding) of the body portion 7716. It is also possible to allow a single collar 7714 to be used with a plurality of different body portions 7716.

Turning now to fig. 79-80, another aspect of a head assembly 20 and handle 60 according to the present disclosure is generally illustrated, the head assembly 20 and handle 60 being configured to be coupled together using one or more magnets. In particular, fig. 79 generally illustrates the head assembly 20 and handle 60 in an unassembled state, while fig. 80 generally illustrates the head assembly 20 and handle 60 in an assembled state. It should be understood that the magnetic coupling described herein may be used with any head assembly known to those skilled in the art, including, but not limited to, any of the head assemblies described herein.

Although the embodiments described in fig. 77-78 may utilize magnetic attraction to couple head assembly 20 and handle 60 together (e.g., aligning the poles of one or

more magnets

7702, 7704 such that the magnetic field creates an attractive force urging head assembly 20 and handle 60 toward each other), head assembly 20 and handle 60 of fig. 79-80 include at least two magnets (e.g., central magnet 7902 and ring magnet 7904) whose poles are aligned such that their magnetic fields create a magnetic repulsion force that couples head assembly 20 and handle 60 together as described herein.

For example, the head assembly 20 may include a protrusion (e.g., head protrusion) 7906 including one or more central magnets 7902 configured to be at least partially received in a cavity (e.g., handle cavity) 7908 including one or more ring magnets 7904, and the central magnets are also configured to be at least partially received in a central region of the ring magnets 7904. The ring magnet 7904 may include one or more ring, and/or toroidal (e.g., circular, ring, disk, etc.) shaped magnets (e.g., permanent magnets and/or electromagnets). Alternatively (or in addition), the ring magnet 7904 may include a plurality (e.g., an array) of magnets arranged in a generally annular, ring-like, and/or toroidal (e.g., circular, annular, disk-like, ring-like, etc.) configuration to generate a generally annular, ring-like, and/or toroidal magnetic field (e.g., a magnetic field having magnetic field lines forming a generally annular, ring-like, and/or toroidal pattern). The central magnet 7902 may include any magnet (e.g., a permanent magnet and/or an electromagnet), such as, but not limited to, a disc magnet, and the like.

As described above, the head assembly 20 and the handle 60 may be coupled together using a repulsive magnetic force between the head assembly magnet 7902 and the handle magnet 7904. In particular, the inventors have discovered that if central magnet 7902 and ring magnet 7904 (having an inner dimension ID7910 equal to or greater than outer dimension OD7912 of central magnet 7902) are constrained to move generally axially relative to each other along axis 7914 (e.g., by virtue of OD7916 of protrusion 7906 relative to ID7918 of chamber 7908) such that central magnet 7902 may pass through central region 7920 of ring magnet 7904, and further oriented such that the magnetic poles face in the same direction along axis 7914, the resulting force versus displacement curve relationship (see, e.g., fig. 81A-81B) is very similar to a conventional mechanical brake.

In particular, referring to fig. 81A and 81B, a diagram illustrating the displacement (e.g., movement) of the central magnet 7902 relative to the ring magnet 7904 and the resulting magnetic force (e.g., entering or exiting the chamber 7908) is generally shown. Referring to fig. 81A, when

magnets

7902, 7904 approach one another in direction 8100 along axis 7914 (e.g., head assembly 20 is advanced toward handle 60), a repulsive force F generated by

magnetic field

8102, 8104 therebetween will begin to generate a force that resists movement of head assembly 20 toward chamber 7908 (e.g., region 8106), and the force will increase (e.g., increase) as central magnet 7902 approaches annular magnet 7904, and then begin to decrease (e.g., substantially decrease to zero) when

magnets

7902, 7904 are aligned at position C (e.g.,

magnetic fields

8102, 8104 of

magnets

7902, 7904 will balance one another, and substantially no force is generated that pushes head assembly 20 and blade 60 along axis 7914). It can be appreciated that when the central magnet 7902 and the ring magnet 7904 are aligned at position C, an unstable balance is achieved. It may be difficult to have the central magnet 7902 and the ring magnet 7904 stay in this position. This unstable balance is a cause of the braking feeling.

Referring to fig. 81B, as the magnets 7902 continue to move in the direction 8100 along the axis 7914 past position C (e.g., they begin to pass through the central region 7920 of the ring magnet 7904), the repulsive force F created by the

magnetic fields

8102, 8104 therebetween translates relative to region 8106 and creates a force (e.g., region 8108) that pushes the head assembly 20 toward the handle 60. The force of this region 8108 begins to continue to increase until the magnetic field begins to dissipate. In region 8108, the force begins to push the central magnet 7902 away from the ring magnet 7904, thereby pushing the head assembly 20 toward the handle 60. From the perspective of the user driving the head assembly 20 toward the handle 60, the sensation is that as the central magnet 7902 passes through the central region 7920 of the ring magnet 7904 and the opposing direction of repulsion force dominates (take over), the initial resistance increases to a peak force, followed by "assist". If the hard stop is properly placed (e.g., the protrusion 7906 "bottoms out" relative to the cavity 7908 by virtue of the distal end of the protrusion 7906 contacting the base of the cavity 7908, the base region of the protrusion 7906 contacting the proximal surface surrounding the opening to the cavity 7908, and/or the protrusion 7906 and the tapered surface of the cavity 7908 contacting each other), then the repulsive force in the region 8108 will urge the head assembly 20 against the handle 60, resulting in a secure hold between the head assembly 20 and the handle 60.

The repulsive magnetic coupling is a result of the characteristics of the interaction between the magnetic field lines of the central magnet 7902 passing through the central region 7920 of the ring magnet 7904 (e.g., there are magnetic field lines in the central region 7920 of the ring magnet 7904 that are directionally opposite to the magnetic field lines emanating from the face (e.g., plane) between the ID and the OD). As a result, as the central magnet 7902 approaches the ID of the ring magnet 7904 (fig. 81A), even though the poles of the central magnet 7902 and the ring magnet 7904 are oriented with opposite poles facing each other (which would cause an attractive magnetic force if there were no holes or central regions 7920 in the ring magnet 7904), the magnetic field 8104 of the ring magnet in the ID opposes the magnetic field 8102 of the central magnet 7902, resulting in a repulsive magnetic force. Again, it should be appreciated that the same effect may be produced if the ring magnet 7904 is replaced with a plurality of discrete magnets arranged in a generally circular array.

Turning back to fig. 79 and 80, an optional auxiliary magnet 7922 may be disposed near the base of the chamber 7908. The auxiliary magnets 7922 may have poles aligned with respect to the central magnet 7902 to create an attractive magnetic force between the auxiliary magnets 7922 and the central magnet 7902. The attractive magnetic force between the central magnet 7902 and the auxiliary magnets 7922 may further increase the retention force between the head assembly 20 and the handle 60 while still maintaining the unique "detent" feature that a user would experience during insertion of the head assembly 20 into the handle 60.

In the illustrated embodiment, the annular magnet 7904 and the cavity 7908 are part of the collar 7714, but it should be understood that this is not a limitation of the present disclosure unless specifically required. Additionally, it should be understood that while the head assembly 20 and handle 60 are shown with the head protrusion 7906 received in the handle cavity 7908, this arrangement could be reversed (e.g., the head assembly 20 could include a head assembly cavity with a ring magnet 7904 and the handle 60 could include a handle protrusion with a central magnet 7902) and any additional changes based on this disclosure would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Turning now to fig. 82, another embodiment of a magnetic connection between the head assembly 20 and the handle 60 is generally illustrated. The magnetic coupling may be similar to the arrangement shown in fig. 79 and 80, except that the optional auxiliary magnet 7922 may be replaced with a floating/repelling magnet 8202. In particular, the floating/repelling magnet 8202 may have its poles reversed compared to the auxiliary magnets 7922, thereby repelling, rather than attracting, the central magnet 7902. The floating/repelling magnets 8202 thus cause the central magnet (and thus the head assembly 20) to balance (or hover or float) at a point between the ring magnet 7904 and the floating/repelling magnets 8202. If a suitable gap or space 8404 is left between the mating surfaces of the head assembly 20 and the handle 60, the head assembly 20 will appear to float axially along the axis 7914, but will always return to a point of equilibrium after deflection, thereby imparting a small dampening effect to the shaving razor system 10. Accordingly, head assembly 20 may move axially in space 8404 along axis 7914. It can be appreciated that as central magnet 7902 is driven toward floating/repelling magnet 8202, the repelling force between them increases as central magnet 7902 and floating/repelling magnet 8202 come closer together until central magnet 7902 touches a point where it feels a hard stop. This well simulates the behavior of a compression spring whose resistance increases with displacement until finally reaching compression and height.

Similar to fig. 79-80, it should be understood that although the head assembly 20 and handle 60 are shown with the head protrusion 7906 received in the handle cavity 7908, this arrangement may be reversed (e.g., the head assembly 20 may include a head assembly cavity with the ring magnet 7904 and the floating/repelling magnet 8202, the handle 60 may include a handle protrusion with the central magnet 7902), and any additional modifications based on the present disclosure will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The space 8404 may optionally be covered with an elastically deformable sheath (sock), shield (gaiter), or the like. Additionally, it should be understood that the magnetic coupling described herein may be used with any head assembly known to those skilled in the art, including, but not limited to, any of the head assemblies described herein.

Turning now to fig. 83, another embodiment of a magnetic connection between the head assembly 20 and the handle 60 is generally illustrated. Similar to fig. 82, the magnetic connection may include a floating feature, however, floating/repelling magnet 8202 of fig. 82 may be omitted, instead balancing may be achieved by the relationship of the poles of central magnet 7902 relative to the poles of ring magnet 7904 (i.e., such that the poles of central magnet 7902 are opposite the poles of ring magnet 7904). The detent effect may still be achieved manually, but the resistance as the head assembly 20 approaches the handle 60 during insertion may be reduced compared to the arrangement shown in fig. 79 to 80. The point of equilibrium between the central magnet 7902 and the ring magnet 7904 occurs when the two

magnets

7902, 7904 are coplanar or substantially coplanar; a slight deflection in either direction along axis 7914 will be followed by a return to equilibrium point. For short deflections, this behavior is very similar to that of the arrangement shown in fig. 82; however, the return force of figure 83 decreases with larger deflections (rather than increasing as in the arrangement of figure 82) because in the absence of floating/repelling magnet 8202, the only return force is generated by the attraction between central magnet 7902 and ring magnet 7904, and the attraction becomes farther and farther with increasing deflection. It should be understood that the magnetic coupling described herein may be used with any head assembly known to those skilled in the art, including, but not limited to, any of the head assemblies described herein.

Turning now to fig. 84-85, a cartridge connecting mechanism for securing the cartridge 22 to the cartridge support member 24 is shown. In particular, fig. 84 and 85 generally show perspective views of the cartridge 22 and cartridge support member 24 in an unassembled state and an assembled state, respectively, while fig. 86 and 87 generally show cross-sectional side views of the cartridge 22 and cartridge support member 24 in an unassembled state and an assembled state, respectively.

Cartridge 22 may comprise any cartridge known to those of skill in the art including, but not limited to, any cartridge 22 described herein. The head assembly 20 may optionally include any of the anti-pivot mechanisms described herein, such as, but not limited to, magnetic anti-pivot mechanisms. As shown, cartridge support member 24 includes a generally U-shaped cartridge support frame 26 having two generally curved support arms 30 (generally C-shaped or L-shaped); it should be understood, however, that this is not a limitation of the present disclosure unless specifically claimed as such.

The cartridge 22 may include a frame 188 (which may be one-piece or multi-piece, such as, but not limited to, a clamshell design) having one or more pivot pins/cylinders 34 extending outwardly from lateral edges of the frame 188 (e.g., a single pivot pin/cylinder 34 extending across the frame 188 or first and second pivot pins/cylinders 34 extending outwardly from first and second lateral edges of the frame 188, respectively). One or more portions (e.g., distal end regions) of the pivot pin/cylinder 34 may include one or more magnets and/or a ferrous material.

The cartridge support member 24 includes one or more pivot receivers 32. For example, each support arm 30 may include a pivot receiver 32. At least one of the pivot receivers 32 may include a receiving pocket or cavity 8602 (best seen in fig. 86) configured to receive at least a portion of the pivot pin/cylinder 34 located on one of the opposing lateral sides of the cartridge 22 (e.g., as generally shown in fig. 85 and 87).

Referring again to fig. 86, the pocket or cavity 8602 may include an open end 8604, and the pivot pin/cylinder 34 may be received into the pocket or cavity 8602 through the open end 8604. The pocket or cavity 8602 may also include a tapered entrance and/or tapered sidewalls to facilitate entry of the pivot pin/cylinder 34 into the pocket or cavity 8602. According to one embodiment, pivot receiver 32 includes one or more cartridge pivot and hold magnets 8606 (e.g., one or more permanent magnets and/or electromagnets) configured to generate an attractive magnetic force with pivot pin/cylinder 34 housed therein. For example, the pivot pin/cylinder 34 may comprise a ferrous material that is magnetically attracted to the cartridge pivot and hold magnets 8606, thereby mounting, securing, and/or otherwise coupling the cartridge 22 to the cartridge support member 24. Alternatively (or in addition), pivot pin/cylinder 34 may include magnets having poles aligned such that the magnets are magnetically attracted to cartridge pivot and hold magnets 8606, thereby mounting, securing, and/or otherwise coupling cartridge 22 to cartridge support member 24. In either case, cartridge 22 may be rotated at any angle up to and including 360 ° about pivot axis PA relative to cartridge support member 24.

In practice, a user may position unassembled cartridge 22 proximate opening 8604 of pocket or cavity 8602 until the magnetic attraction created between pivot pin/cylinder 34 and pocket or cavity 8602 (by one or more cartridge pivot and hold magnets 8606) causes pivot pin/cylinder 34 (and thus cartridge 22) to attach to pocket or cavity 8602 of pivot receptacle 32. Likewise, a user may position (e.g., remove) the cartridge 22 relative to the pivot receiver 32 by manually (or using a tool) prying or disengaging the pivot pin/cylinder 34 (and thus the cartridge 22) from the pocket or cavity 8602 of the pivot receiver 32.

It should be understood that while pivot receiver 32 is shown with one or more cartridge pivot and retention magnets 8606, cartridge pivot and retention magnets 8606 may alternatively be provided in only one or more pivot pins/cylinders 34. In such an arrangement, the pivot receiver 32 may include a ferrous material that is magnetically attracted to the cartridge pivot and hold magnet 8606 of the pivot pin/cylinder 34.

It should also be understood that while each arm 30 of cartridge support member 24 is shown as having a pivot receiver 32 including one or more cartridge pivot and hold magnets 8606, only one arm 30 may include a pivot receiver 32 having one or more cartridge pivot and hold magnets 8606.

Also, the position of one or more of the pivot receptacles 32 and pivot pins 34 may be switched (e.g., one or more pivot receptacles 32 may be located in the cartridge 22 and one or more pivot pins/cylinders 34 may extend outwardly from the support arm 30 of the cartridge support member 24).

Additionally, while cartridge 22 is shown releasably coupled to handle 60, cartridge support member 24 and handle 60 may alternatively be of unitary, integral, or one-piece construction.

Turning now to fig. 88-92, with respect to fig. 84-87, any of the embodiments described herein may optionally include one or more cartridge holders 8802. The cartridge holder 8802 may be configured to reduce and/or prevent accidental removal/ejection of the cartridge 22 from the cartridge support member 24. According to one embodiment (as shown in fig. 88-89), the cartridge holder 8802 may include one or more biasing devices, such as, but not limited to, spring clips and/or resiliently deformable projections 8804. Cartridge holder 8802 can extend outwardly from a portion of the chamber 8602, e.g., proximate to the opening thereof. In practice, the user may insert the pivot/cylinder pin 34 into the cavity 8602. When the pivot pin/cylinder 34 is inserted into the cavity 8602, the cartridge holder 8802 may be elastically deformed, deflected, and/or moved out of the path until the pivot pin/cylinder 34 passes the cartridge holder 8802 and the pivot pin/cylinder 34 is seated in the cavity 8602. Once seated/received in the cavity 8602 (as generally shown in fig. 89), the cartridge holder 8802 may generally prevent the pivot pins/cylinders 34 from moving out of engagement with the cavity 8602 unless sufficient force is applied to deform, deflect, and/or move the cartridge holder 8802 out of the path.

Alternatively (or additionally), the cartridge holder 8802 can include one or more biasing devices such as, but not limited to, a detent, resiliently deformable detent, lever, etc. 9002 as shown generally in fig. 90-92. For example, the lever 9002 may be spring biased (spring not visible) and may include an engagement portion (e.g., engagement ramp) 9004 configured to extend at least partially across an opening of the chamber 8602 when in the retained position (as shown generally in fig. 90-92) and configured to pivot about a pivot point 9006 such that the lever 9002 may rotate out of the path and the pivot pin/cylinder 34 may enter and/or exit the chamber 8602. The lever 9002 can further include an actuation region 9008 (e.g., without limitation, a raised portion) that allows a user to rotate the lever 9002 about the pivot 9006. It can therefore be appreciated that the lever 9002 can be biased to the engaged position.

Again, it should be understood that the arrangement of the chambers 8602 and pivot pins/cylinders 34 relative to the cartridge 22 and cartridge support member 24 may be reversed, and thus cartridge holder 8802 may be reversed. It should also be understood that cartridge pivot and hold magnet 8606 may be eliminated.

Any of the magnets described herein may be permanent magnets and/or electromagnets. It will also be appreciated that when electromagnets are used, the current may be adjusted to selectively change the orientation of the resulting magnetic field. The magnets may include any type of magnet, such as, but not limited to, rare earth (lanthanide) magnets (including, but not limited to, neodymium magnets and samarium-cobalt magnets), single molecule magnets, single strand magnets, nanostructured magnets, alnico magnets, and the like. The magnet may include a magnetic covering and/or layer. For example, the magnet may include a magnetically doped material such as, but not limited to, a magnetic paint, a magnetic polymer, a magnetic ceramic, a magnetic composite, and the like.

The shaving blades 142 of the head assembly 20 may be front and/or rear loaded during assembly of the head assembly 20.

The foregoing embodiments herein describe the case of an axially magnetized disk as it passes through an axially magnetized ring, where the poles of both magnets face in the same direction. For example, and without limitation, some embodiments, as shown in fig. 79-82, generally include ring or ring magnets 7904 secured to the handle 60 of the shaving blade and disk or central magnets 7902 secured to the head assembly 20, which produce an effect similar to a conventional mechanical detent, since the cartridge is mounted on the shaving blade handle. As can be appreciated based on this disclosure, the magnetic detent or snap effect remains the same regardless of which element (handle 60 or head assembly 20) contains the ring or ring magnet 7704 and which element contains the disk or central magnet 7902; and further, this effect may be achieved by mating features (e.g., the protrusion 7906 and/or the cavity 7908) having any suitable shape or orientation (e.g., the protrusion 7906 extending from the handle 60 and the cavity 7908 formed in the head assembly 20).

Further, as previously described herein, two magnets having like poles facing each other may be used in place of the mechanism that traditionally returns the cartridge head to its original starting position (ISP) after it has been deflected during a shaving stroke.

Turning now to fig. 93-96, another embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism and/or connection mechanism for coupling a cartridge to a handle is generally shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 60 includes a handle protrusion, boss, or bar 9302 sized and shaped to be at least partially received in a support member cavity 9304 formed in the cartridge support member 24, e.g., to generally locate a portion of the yoke or yoke region 47 that may replace the position (e.g., generally prevent lateral movement) of the head assembly 20 (e.g., cartridge support member 24) relative to the handle 60. In the illustrated embodiment, handle bar 9302 has a generally cylindrical shape and support member chamber 9304 has a generally tubular shape with an inner diameter generally corresponding to the outer diameter of handle bar 9302 to generally prevent relative movement between handle 60 and cartridge support member 24. Optionally, the handle bar 9302 may include one or more locking features 9306 that engage one or more corresponding locking features 9308 of the support member chamber 9304 to generally limit and/or prevent rotation of the cartridge support member 24 in a direction generally indicated by arrow 9310. For example, the locking features 9306, 9308 may engage one another in a lock-and-key type arrangement that substantially prevents rotation. In one embodiment, the locking feature 9306 can comprise a protrusion and the locking feature 9308 can comprise a cavity having a size and shape generally corresponding to the size and shape of the protrusion (although it will be understood that the arrangement of the protrusion and cavity can be switched). Alternatively (or in addition), the handle bar 9302 and the support member chamber 9304 can have non-circular cross-sections such that an inner surface of the cartridge chamber 9304 engages an outer surface of the handle bar 9302 to prevent rotation therebetween.

The handle bar 9302 may include one or more disk-shaped or central magnets 9312 that pass at least partially through a central region 9314 of one or more ring-shaped or ring-shaped magnets 9316 coupled to the cartridge support member 24 (e.g., a central portion of the support member chamber 9304 and/or the yoke region 47), as generally shown in fig. 93, 94, and 95. It can be seen that the support member cavity 9304 and the central region 9314 of the ring magnet 9316 can be substantially concentric. According to one embodiment, the cartridge support member 24 may optionally include a swivel 9320 extending generally outwardly toward the cartridge 22. The distal portion of the central magnet 9312 can be substantially coplanar with or can extend through an opening or inner surface of the turret 9320.

As described herein (see, e.g., fig. 79-82 and corresponding description), aligning the poles of the central magnet 9312 and the annular magnet 9316 causes a repulsive magnetic force to be generated between the

magnets

9312, 9316, thereby urging the cartridge support member 24 and the handle 60 together. The combination of the interaction of the handle bar 9302 with the support member cavity 9304 (and optionally the locking features 9306, 9308 and/or non-circular cross-section) and the repulsive magnetic force may generally secure and/or mount the cartridge support member 24 and the handle 60 relative to one another, forming a connection therebetween.

The cartridge 22 may be pivotably coupled to one or more arms 30 of the cartridge support member 24 and may include one or more shaving blades 9322 disposed on one or more faces 9324. In the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge 22 includes a plurality of shaving blades 9322 on a first face 9324. The opposing face 9326 can include one or more blade holder magnets 9318. Although the blade holder magnets 9318 are shown intermediate the opposing faces 9326, it should be understood that one or more blade holder magnets 9318 may be disposed anywhere on the faces 9326.

The poles of the cartridge magnets 9318 align with the poles of the central magnet 9312 to create a repulsive magnetic force when the cartridge support member 24 is coupled to the handle 60 (e.g., as generally shown in fig. 94 and 95). The repulsive magnetic force may generally urge the cartridge 22 away from the yoke 47 and/or handle 60, e.g., as generally shown by arrow 9402. Cartridge support member 24 and/or cartridge 22 may include one or more initial home position (ISP) projections, shoulders, ridges and/or extensions 9328 that set the initial home position (ISP) of cartridge 22 relative to cartridge support member 24 and handle 60. It will be appreciated that the ISP is the position of the cartridge 22 relative to the cartridge support member 24 and handle 60 without the application of force and the position to which the cartridge 22 returns after the external force is removed. In other words, when an external force is applied to the cartridge 22 during shaving, the external force may overcome the repulsive magnetic force between the cartridge magnet 9318 and the central magnet 9312 such that the cartridge 22 moves in a direction generally opposite to arrow 9402. When the external force is removed and/or reduced, the repulsive magnetic force between the blade cartridge magnets 9318 and the central magnet 9312 pushes the blade cartridge 22 back toward the ISP. Thus, the ISP protrusion 9328 sets an initial starting position of the cartridge 22 relative to the cartridge support member 24 and limits rotation of the cartridge 22 in the direction of arrow 9402 and/or may also limit/prevent over-rotation of the cartridge 22 during a shaving stroke.

In the illustrated embodiment, the ISP protrusion 9328 may extend outwardly from the cartridge support member 24 a sufficient distance to engage (e.g., directly contact) the cartridge 22 and prevent any further rotation of the cartridge 22 about the pivot axis PA. For example, the ISP protrusion 9328 may be located inboard of one or more yoke arms 30 below the pivot axis PA (e.g., near the yoke 47), but as noted above, this is not a limitation of the present disclosure unless specifically required. Alternatively (or in addition), the ISP protrusion 9328 may extend outwardly from the cartridge 22 a sufficient distance to engage (e.g., directly contact) the cartridge support member 24 and prevent any further rotation of the cartridge 22 about the pivot axis PA. Thus, the ISP protrusion 9328 sets or defines the 0 position of the blade holder 22. The blade holder 22 may rotate about the pivot axis PA within a predetermined range of rotation. For example, the predefined range of rotation may be up to 110 degrees, such as less than 90 degrees or less than 45 degrees. Rotation of the cartridge 22 in a direction opposite the arrow 9402 (e.g., a deflection direction) may also be limited by the ISP protrusion 9328 and/or another protrusion, shoulder, ridge, and/or extension (e.g., a Maximum Deflection Point (MDP) protrusion) extending from the cartridge 22 and/or the cartridge support member 24. The limit of rotation in the deflection direction is called the Maximum Deflection Point (MDP). Thus, the ISP protrusion 9328 may function as both an ISP protrusion and an MDP protrusion. This embodiment provides the advantage of generating a return force over a larger angular displacement range-over 90 degrees relative to the spring, allowing for appropriate adjustment of the surrounding geometric constraints. To minimize the number of magnets in the assembly, annular magnet 9316 is secured to cartridge support member 24 and central magnet 9312 is secured to handle 60. The ring magnets 9316 are then in turn used to repel one or more cartridge magnets 9318 placed on the rear side 9326 of the cartridge 22, thus performing two functions simultaneously (e.g., the connection of the head assembly 20 to the handle 60 and the biasing of the cartridge 22).

Because the central magnets 9312 and the annular magnets 9316 are oriented with their poles facing in the same direction (see the cross section of the assembled unit in fig. 95), there is a small return force (e.g., pushing the cartridge 22 in the direction of arrow 9402) even when the replaceable head assembly 20 is not coupled to the handle 60 because the annular magnets 9316 repel the cartridge magnets 9318 on the back side 9326 of the cartridge 22. However, upon installation, the force generated by the combination of the central magnet 9312 and/or the ring magnet 9316 is much greater and mimics well the force of a compression spring to return the cartridge 22 to its ISP.

Additional retention forces (in addition to the forces generated by the magnetic detent/coupling effect between the central magnet 9312 and the ring magnets 9316) may be generated in a variety of ways that may be used to make it more difficult for the cartridge support member 24, and thus the cartridge 22, to be accidentally pulled or disengaged from the handle 60. One possible method of increasing the retention force includes adding a secondary ring magnet inside the handle 60. The auxiliary magnets may be magnetized axially and oriented in the same direction as the annular magnets 9316 in the cartridge support member 24, placed at the base of the handle bar 9302 containing the central magnets 9312. Thus, when cartridge support member 24 is mounted to handle 60, the auxiliary magnet will exhibit a magnetic polarity opposite the closest face of cartridge support member 24 proximate annular magnet 9316, thereby creating a pulling force on cartridge support member 24 and acting to increase the force of attachment (during mounting) and retention (after mounting). Another possible configuration for increasing retention force includes a flexible ring 9330 in support member chamber 9304 having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of handle bar 9302, positioned such that flexible ring 9330 grips a portion (e.g., without limitation, the distal tip) of handle bar 9302 when fully inserted into support member chamber 9304. Additionally (or alternatively), one or more of the locking features 9306, 9308 can include a flexible receiving receptacle that engages a corresponding locking feature on the opposing component (such as, but not limited to, the flexible receiving receptacle 9308 on the yoke portion 47 that is engaged by an opposing locking feature 9306 located on the handle 60). The protrusion 9306 on the handle bar 9302 can engage with the side of the flexible receiver 9308 to increase the holding force. This may be achieved by a resiliently flexible ring (or the like) on the projection or in the receptacle. These configurations may not increase the attachment force, but once installed, friction created by deflection of the flexible material caused by interference with the shaft tip or yoke receiver may serve as an additional impediment to the cartridge support member 24 being inadvertently disengaged from the handle 60.

The use of a magnetic detent/coupling system does not limit the configuration of returning the cartridge 22 to its ISP to the use of detent generating magnets. Any of the embodiments described herein may be used, including but not limited to mechanical devices such as elastically deformable pawls (RDPs) or other magnetic configurations such as but not limited to the one shown in fig. 96. For example, one or more arm magnets 9602 may be mounted to one or more of the arms 30 (e.g., a pair facing each other), and the cartridge 22 may include one or more cartridge magnets 9604 having axes parallel to the pivot axis PA of rotation of the cartridge 22. The arm magnets 9602 may be attracted to the center/middle blade holder magnets 9604 in the blade holder 22 because their opposing poles are oriented facing each other. According to one embodiment, adjacent

blade holder magnets

9604b, 9604c in blade holder 22 may be arranged on one or more sides of middle blade holder magnet 9604a, facing arm magnet 9602 with the same magnetic pole. Thus, blade holder 22 tends to rely on a center/middle blade holder magnet 9604a that is coaxial with arm magnet 9602, which identifies the ISP. If the cartridge 22 is displaced (e.g., rotated) about the pivot axis PA, it experiences a resistive torque due to the combination of attraction to the center/middle cartridge magnet 9604a and repulsion by the

outer cartridge magnets

9604b, 9604c, when the cartridge 22 is released, it returns to its ISP. For small displacements, this action also simulates the action of a spring. As generally shown in fig. 97, the displacement is limited by the hard stop/ISP protrusion 9328. Depending on the location of hard stop ISP protrusion 9328, one or more outer

blade holder magnets

9604b, 9604c may be redundant (i.e., if the maximum rotation in the direction of one or more outer

blade holder magnets

9604b, 9604c is very small, its effect may be negligible compared to the attractive center/middle blade holder magnet 9604a, and there is no need to return blade holder 22 to its ISP). It should be understood that a magnet array arrangement may be used in one or both arms 30. It should also be understood that the arrangement of blade holder magnets 9604 a-9604 c may be replaced with one or more programmable magnets having multiple magnetic poles and/or nanostructured magnets having multiple regions programmed to provide the various magnetic poles described herein. In one embodiment, the ring magnet 9316 may be replaced with an array of magnets.

Turning now to fig. 98-104, various embodiments of two or more radially magnetized (DM) ring-like and/or disc-like magnets for coupling two components (e.g., shaving razor handle/cartridge and/or cartridge yoke/cartridge head) are described, wherein the two components are securely fixed (e.g., not separated) from each other, but are movable in some prescribed and limited manner relative to each other while tending to return to a predetermined rest position; and optionally may be manually separated upon application of sufficient force, such as during replacement of a used cartridge with a new cartridge.

Referring to fig. 98-100, a first embodiment is generally shown. For example, fig. 98 generally illustrates the head assembly 20 and handle 60 in an unassembled state, fig. 99 generally illustrates the head assembly 20 and handle 60 in an assembled state at the ISP, and fig. 100 generally illustrates the head assembly 20 and handle 60 in a deflected position relative to the ISP.

In particular, one or more handle DM magnets 9802 are permanently and fixedly coupled, fixed, and/or otherwise mounted to the distal end 9804 of handle 60, and one or more cartridge support member DM magnets 9806 are permanently and fixedly coupled, fixed, and/or otherwise mounted to a portion of cartridge support member 24 (such as, but not limited to, yoke 47). In the illustrated embodiment, a single handle DM magnet 9802 and a single cartridge support member DM magnet 9806 are shown; however, it should be understood that the handle 60 and/or cartridge support member 24 may include a plurality of

DM magnets

9802, 9806. Handle DM magnet 9802 is also shown as being at least partially received in handle cavity 9820, while support member DM magnet 9806 is shown as extending partially beyond the rear mating face of cartridge support member 24, but it should be understood that cavity 9820 may be formed in cartridge support member 24 and the arrangement may thus be reversed.

In addition, handle DM magnet 9802 and cartridge support member DM magnet 9806 are shown as ring magnets. This ring magnet configuration may help prevent the

DM magnets

9802, 9806 from rotating in their respective components (e.g., handle 60 and cartridge support member 24). For example, the

central regions

9808, 9810 of the

DM ring magnets

9802, 9806 may have a non-circular shape that may be coupled to the components 60, 24 (e.g., the handle 60 and the cartridge support member 24) and/or overmolded with the

components

60, 24 to prevent the

DM ring magnets

9802, 9806 from rotating. It should be understood, however, that one or more of these

DM magnets

9802, 9806 may be DM disc magnets without a central bore. The

DM disc magnets

9802, 9806 may optionally include non-cylindrical or offset rods extending outwardly from one or more planes of the

DM disc magnets

9802, 9806, which may also prevent the

magnets

9802, 9806 from rotating relative to the handle 60 and cartridge support member 24, respectively. Additionally (or alternatively), a portion of the DM disc or

ring magnets

9802, 9806 may be non-circular (e.g., the disc or ring may have a generally rectangular or oval shape) to prevent rotation of the

magnets

9802, 9806 relative to the handle 60 and cartridge support member 24, respectively.

When viewed from the perspective of fig. 98, the handle 60 may be described as having a top surface 9801, a bottom surface 9803, and right and left

surfaces

9805, 9807. The handle DM magnet 9802 may be described as having a first plane 9809 and a second plane 9811 and an outer circumferential surface 9813 extending therebetween. The handle DM magnet 9802 may be secured to the handle 60 such that the

planes

9809, 9811 are aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the handle, substantially perpendicular to the top and

bottom surfaces

9801, 9803, and substantially parallel to the right and left

surfaces

9805, 9807.

The

DM magnets

9802, 9806 are mounted to the handle 60/cartridge support member 24 such that when the handle 60 and cartridge support member 24 are brought into proximity with each other during the process of mounting the replaceable head assembly 20 to the handle 60, the opposing poles of the

DM magnets

9802, 9806 attract and complete the attachment procedure. According to one embodiment, the

DM magnets

9802, 9806 are substantially tangentially in contact with each other. The

DM magnets

9802, 9806, when positioned tangentially to each other, will always find the location where the two opposing poles touch. This position will be referred to as a Predetermined Rest Position (PRP). In this embodiment, the two

DM magnets

9802, 9806 are mounted such that the handle 60 and cartridge support member 24 are aligned at a Predetermined Rest Position (PRP) as with conventional shaving blades.

A distal region 9804 of handle 60 adjacent/proximate to handle DM magnet 9802 and a proximal region 9812 of cartridge support member 24 adjacent/proximate to cartridge support member DM magnet 9806 may define a handle interface region 9814 and a support member interface region 9816, respectively. The shape and contour of the

interface regions

9814, 9816 may allow limited rotational longitudinal movement of the handle 60 and cartridge support member 24 relative to each other. The

DM magnets

9802, 9806 will allow this motion to occur, but provide significant resistance, simulating the behavior of a spring. In fact, the

DM magnets

9802, 9806 remain tangent to each other throughout the movement as the point of contact between them moves away from the poles, so that their behavior is similar to that of a pair of gears (i.e., each

DM magnet

9802, 9806 not only rotates on its own axis, but also "rotates" about the axis of the opposing magnet). Such displacement is illustrated in fig. 100, in this case longitudinal movement (e.g., in a plane extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the handle 60 and generally perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces 9801, 9803). Rotation of the cartridge support member 24 relative to the handle 60 in either direction may be set and/or limited by the profile of the

interfaces

9814, 9816.

When the handle 60 and cartridge support member 24 are released, the

DM magnets

9802, 9806 reposition themselves relative to each other at a predetermined rest position, thereby returning and/or pushing the cartridge 22 to its original alignment relative to the handle 60. This feature is useful for making it difficult to reach the shaving area by manually holding the cartridge support member 24 (e.g., yoke 47) and cartridge 22 in an angled forward position with fingers. The angle may be easily adjusted depending on the force applied to the cartridge support member 24 and the cartridge 22.

Turning now to fig. 101-102, another embodiment utilizing a DM magnet is generally shown. The arrangement may be similar to the embodiment in fig. 98-100, but may also include one or more locking magnets 10102. The locking magnet 10102 may include, but is not limited to, a DM ring or cylindrical magnet 10102. The locking magnet 10102 may be coupled, fixed or otherwise mounted to the handle 60 in a fixed position and orientation relative to the DM handle magnet 9802. When properly oriented, the locking magnet 10102 has the following effect: when cartridge support member 24/cartridge 22 is subjected to an angular displacement sufficient to bring locking magnet 10102 and cartridge support member DM magnet 9806 into close proximity with one another, cartridge support member DM magnet 9806 is attracted and held such that cartridge support member 24/cartridge 22 remains in a displaced position when released, as generally shown in fig. 102. As a result of maintaining the original Predetermined Rest Position (PRP) or ISP shown in fig. 101, wherein the

DM magnets

9802, 9806 are aligned with opposing poles adjacent to each other, there are two possible positions that the user can select wherein the cartridge support member 24/cartridge 22 can rest in its predetermined rest position with the spring-like return feature corresponding to a small angular displacement (fig. 101); or rest in a displaced position and remain securely in place (fig. 102).

Optionally, a retraction mechanism may be provided to retract the locking magnet 10102 into the handle 60 when the locking magnet 10102 is not being used to secure the cartridge support member 24/cartridge 22 in the bent/displaced position. The retraction mechanism allows the locking magnet 10102 to be concealed when the cartridge support member 24/cartridge 22 is in its predetermined rest position so that the locking magnet does not adversely affect the feel of the shaving razor handle 60 in the user's hand and/or collect debris. The retraction mechanism may comprise any arrangement for retracting the locking magnet 10102, such as, but not limited to, a manual lever, where the user would need to deploy a third magnet before moving the blade cartridge to the bent position, or using a gear train of appropriate size that will automatically position the locking magnet 10102 while the support member 24/blade cartridge 22 is moved from its predetermined rest/ISP to its bent/displaced position.

Although the cartridge 22 is shown with a shaving blade on only a single side, it should be understood that the cartridge 22 may be double-sided.

Attachment of the cartridge 22 to the cartridge support member 24 and limitation and control of the rotation of the cartridge 22 in the cartridge support member 24 may be accomplished in any of a number of ways described herein, including but not limited to mechanical means such as physical shaft features or RDPs (resiliently deformable detents) or magnetic arrangements such as alternating attracting/repelling magnets, multi-pole or programmable magnets, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, a single-sided blade holder 22 is shown whose ISP is defined by a pair of repelling magnets, one repelling magnet located on the back of the blade holder 22 and the other repelling magnet located on the leading edge of the central web of the blade holder support member 24/yoke 47. However, this is not a limitation of the present disclosure unless specifically claimed as such.

Additionally, it should be noted that the blade cartridge DM magnet 9806 may also be used to generate (e.g., repel and/or attract) a magnetic force of a blade cartridge magnet 11410 (see, e.g., blade cartridge magnet 11410 in fig. 145-147). Thus, DM magnet 9806 may be used to generate a magnetic force in addition to or in place of cartridge support member magnet 11412.

Turning now to fig. 103-105, another embodiment utilizing a DM magnet is generally shown. Rather than having handle DM magnets 9802 and cartridge support member DM magnets 9806 as described above, one or more arms 30 may include arm DM magnets 10302 and one or more lateral ends 10304 of cartridge 22 may include corresponding cartridge DM magnets 10306. The primary function of the

DM magnets

10302, 10306 is to keep the cartridge 22 attached to the cartridge support member 24/arm 30 and allow it to deflect upward during a shaving stroke, as generally shown in fig. 105. The cartridge DM magnet 10306 may be exposed or may be disposed in an interior portion of the cartridge 22 so as not to protrude from the lateral ends 10304 of the cartridge 22. The ISP of the blade holder 22 may be established by the location of the magnetic poles of the

DM magnets

10302, 10306 and will appear at an angle where the opposing magnetic poles of the

DM magnets

10302, 10306 are adjacent to each other. While the

DM magnets

10302, 10306 also serve in part to return the cartridge head to its ISP if they are also subjected to angular deflection (similar to the manner in which they return the cartridge to its predetermined rest position in the above described embodiments), this function may also be performed by the opposing pair of

magnets

10308, 10310 in the cartridge support member 24 and cartridge 22, respectively. In one embodiment, cartridge support member 24 may retain a portion of handle 60 and only cartridge 22 may be removed. Alternatively, cartridge 22 and cartridge support member 24 may be considered components, in which case cartridge support member 24 may be removably coupled to handle 60 using any of the arrangements described herein, including, but not limited to, an improved twist-lock-eject system using radially magnetized ring and disk pairs.

Two or more DM magnets (such as, but not limited to, ring-shaped and/or disc-shaped DM magnets) may be used to effect an attachment between two components (such as, but not limited to, the shaving razor handle 60 and cartridge 22) such that the two components are securely fixed to one another, but are able to move relative to one another in a predetermined and limited manner while tending to return to a predetermined rest position; and may be manually separated upon application of sufficient force, such as during replacement of a used cartridge with a new cartridge.

Referring to fig. 106-108, one embodiment of two or more DM magnets that allow cartridge support member 24/cartridge 22 to move laterally relative to handle 60 is generally shown. In particular, the one or more handle DM magnets 10602 are permanently and fixedly coupled, fixed, and/or otherwise mounted to the distal end 9804 of the handle 60, and the one or more cartridge body support member DM magnets 10606 are permanently and fixedly coupled, fixed, and/or otherwise mounted to a portion of the cartridge support member 24 (such as, but not limited to, the yoke 47). In the illustrated embodiment, a single handle DM magnet 10602 and a single cartridge support member DM magnet 10606 are shown; however, it should be understood that the handle 60 and/or cartridge support member 24 may include a plurality of

DM magnets

10602, 10606. Cartridge support member DM magnet 10606 is also shown at least partially received in a cartridge support member chamber 10620 formed in cartridge support member 24, while handle DM magnet 10602 is shown extending partially beyond the distal end 9804 of handle 60, although it should be understood that chamber 10620 may be formed in handle 60 and that the arrangement may thus be reversed.

In addition, the handle DM magnet 10602 and the support member DM magnet 10606 are shown as ring magnets. This ring magnet configuration may help prevent the

DM magnets

10602, 10606 from rotating in their respective components (e.g., the handle 60 and the cartridge support member 24). For example, the

central areas

10608, 10610 of the

DM ring magnets

10602, 10606 may have a non-circular shape that may be coupled with the handle 60, the cartridge support member 24, and/or overmolded to prevent the

DM ring magnets

10602, 10606 from rotating. However, it should be understood that one or more of these

DM magnets

10602, 10606 may be DM disc magnets without a central hole. The

DM disc magnets

10602, 10606 may optionally include non-cylindrical rods or offset rods extending outward from one or more planes of the

DM disc magnets

10602, 10606, which may also prevent rotation. Additionally (or alternatively), a portion of the DM disc or

ring magnets

10602, 10606 may be non-circular (e.g., the disc or ring may have a generally rectangular or oval shape) to prevent rotation.

When viewed from the perspective of fig. 106, the handle 60 can be described as having a top surface 9801, a bottom surface 9803, and right and left

surfaces

9805, 9807. The handle DM magnet 10602 may be described as having a first planar surface 10609, a second planar surface 10611, and an outer circumferential surface 10613 extending therebetween. The handle DM magnet 10602 may be secured to the handle 60 such that the

planes

10609, 10611 are aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the handle 60, substantially perpendicular to the right and left

surfaces

9805, 9807, and substantially parallel to the top and

bottom surfaces

9801, 9803. Thus, lateral movement of cartridge support member 24/cartridge 22 relative to handle 60 corresponds to movement in a plane (e.g., from side to side) that extends generally parallel to longitudinal axis L of handle 60 and generally perpendicular to left and

right surfaces

9805, 9807.

DM magnets

10602, 10606 are mounted to handle 60/cartridge support member 24 such that when handle 60 and cartridge support member 24 are brought into proximity with each other during the process of mounting replaceable head assembly 20 to handle 60, the opposing poles of

DM magnets

10602, 10606 attract and complete the attachment procedure. According to one embodiment, the

DM magnets

10602, 10606 are in substantially tangential contact with each other. The

DM magnets

10602, 10606, when positioned tangentially to each other, will always find the location where the two opposing poles are in contact. This position will be referred to as a Predetermined Rest Position (PRP). In this embodiment, the two

DM magnets

10602, 10606 are mounted such that, in a predetermined rest position, the handle 60 and the support member 24 are aligned in a straight line (as in a conventional shaving razor).

A distal region 9804 of the handle 60 adjacent/proximate to the handle DM magnet 10602 and a proximal region 9812 of the cartridge support member 24 adjacent/proximate to the support member DM magnet 10606 may define a handle interface region 9814 and a cartridge support member interface region 9816, respectively. The shape and profile of the

interface regions

9814, 9816 may allow limited rotational lateral movement of the handle 60 and cartridge support member 24 relative to one another. The

DM magnets

10602, 10606 would allow this motion to occur, but provide significant resistance, thereby simulating the behavior of a spring. In fact, the

DM magnets

10602, 10606 remain tangent to each other throughout the movement as the point of contact between them moves away from the pole, so that their behavior is similar to that of a pair of gears (i.e., each

DM magnet

10602, 10606 not only rotates on its own axis, but also "rotates" about the axis of the opposing magnet). Such displacement is illustrated in fig. 108, in this case longitudinal motion (e.g., in a plane extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the handle 60 and generally perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces 9805, 9807). Rotation of cartridge support member 24 in either direction relative to handle 60 may be set and/or limited by the contour of

interfaces

9814, 9816.

When the handle 60 and cartridge support member 24 are released, the

DM magnets

10602, 10606 reposition themselves relative to each other at a predetermined rest position, thereby returning and/or urging the head assembly 20, and thus the cartridge 22, to its original alignment relative to the handle 60.

Additionally, it should be noted that the cartridge support member DM magnet 10606 may also be used to generate (e.g., repel and/or attract) a magnetic force of a cartridge magnet 11410 (see, e.g., cartridge magnet 11410 in fig. 145-147). Thus, cartridge support member DM magnet 10606 may also be used to generate a magnetic force in addition to cartridge support member magnet 11412 or in place of cartridge support member magnet 11412.

Turning now to fig. 109-110, another embodiment featuring two or more DM magnets is generally shown. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment described with respect to fig. 106-108, however, the

interfaces

9814, 9816 of handle 60 and cartridge support member 24 are contoured to not only allow lateral movement, but also to allow cartridge support member 24/cartridge 22 to twist relative to handle 60 about a longitudinal axis L that is generally parallel to handle 60 (e.g., in the direction generally shown by arrow 10902). Optionally, the twisting motion may be limited by design due to engagement of one or more protruding pins 10904 (e.g., without limitation, pins extending from the cartridge support member 24/yoke 47) that engage and/or are received in receiving holes/grooves 10906 (e.g., on the handle 60). It should be understood that the arrangement of the pin 10904 and the groove 10906 may be switched. The pin 10904 and the groove 10906 may be configured to limit twisting of the cartridge support member 24/cartridge 22 relative to the handle 60 to less than 360 °, such as less than 270 ° or less than 180 °. The behavior when two

DM magnets

10602, 10606 are manipulated in this manner is a result of the

DM magnets

10602, 10606 being in tangential contact with each other. If the

DM magnets

10602, 10606 are twisted relative to one another such that their axes are no longer parallel (as generally shown in fig. 110), the

DM magnets

10602, 10606 will tend to return to a position with the axes parallel, as the

DM magnets

10602, 10606 are drawn to have the greatest contact area between them, which occurs when the axes are parallel.

Turning now to fig. 111-113, another embodiment featuring two or more DM magnets is generally shown. As best shown in fig. 111 and 112, one or more handle DM magnets 11102 are permanently and fixedly coupled, fixed, and/or otherwise mounted to the distal end 9804 of the handle 60, and one or more cartridge support member DM magnets 11106 are permanently and fixedly coupled, fixed, and/or otherwise mounted to a portion of the cartridge support member 24 (such as, but not limited to, the yoke 47). The

DM magnets

11102, 11106 may comprise any size, shape, and/or configuration described herein.

In the illustrated embodiment, the

DM magnets

11102, 11106 are aligned such that the plane 11109 (see, e.g., fig. 112) is aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the handle 60 (e.g., the longitudinal axis of the collar) and substantially parallel to the top and

bottom surfaces

9801, 9803 of the handle 60. The

DM magnets

11102, 11106 are concentrically oriented with their poles 180 ° opposite each other. This is due to the predetermined rest position resulting from the force attracting each pair of opposing poles to each other. The one or

more DM magnets

11102, 11106 may be at least partially housed in the chamber, and the one or

more DM magnets

11102, 11106 may extend partially outward from a portion of their respective components (e.g., the handle 60 and the cartridge support member 24) such that they may be at least partially received in the chamber to concentrically align the

DM magnets

11102, 11106.

As cartridge support member 24/cartridge 22 and handle 60 rotate relative to each other about the common axis of

DM magnets

11102, 11106, the poles of

DM magnets

11102, 11106 are circumferentially spaced from each other, causing a torque to be applied as

DM magnets

11102, 11106 attempt to return the two components (e.g., handle 60 and cartridge support member 24) to a predetermined rest position. For small angular displacements such as shown in fig. 113, the

DM magnets

11102, 11106 have a tendency to remain concentric throughout the displacement, making the mechanical pivot feature optional. For larger angular displacements, this effect is reduced and a mechanical pivot may be required. In this case, the ring-shaped DM magnets 11102, 11106 (as opposed to the disk-shaped DM magnets 11102, 11106) would provide the advantage of providing a natural location for the mechanical pivot, i.e., the pin that protrudes from one component through the inner diameter of both magnets, acting as a shaft. The process of attachment and detachment of handle 60 and cartridge support member 24 may vary depending on whether a mechanical pivot feature is present. Without such a feature, the two

DM magnets

11102, 11106 may be radially or axially close to each other and eventually naturally assume a predetermined rest position. If a mechanical pivot feature is present, the two

DM magnets

11102, 11106 may need to be attached to each other by an axial motion.

As can be appreciated, any one or more of the DM magnets described in this or any other embodiment may be replaced with one or more Programmable Magnets (PMs) comprising a plurality of pole segments. The PM may allow for multiple stable equilibrium positions rather than just one, which would have the effect of displacement (indexing) or braking as the cartridge support member 24 rotates about the common axis of the magnets. The cartridge support member 24 may thus be placed in any one of several positions to achieve the best shaving results. The number of possible positions and thus the transitions (resolution) of the magnetic braking system will only be limited by the maximum number of pole segments that can be applied to the magnet.

An alternative embodiment is similar to the embodiment described above with respect to fig. 106-108, wherein the two

DM magnets

11402, 11406 are placed tangentially; in this case, however, cartridge support member DM magnet 11406 is constrained to rotate about an axis fixed relative to handle 60, so it no longer rolls about the perimeter of handle DM magnet 11402. This is accomplished by using a modified "ball and socket" design 11502 where the motion of the cartridge support member 24 is constrained to a single plane (best seen in fig. 114). Cartridge support member DM magnet 11406, which is disc or ring shaped, is seated in a mating groove portion in handle 60. Its predetermined rest position is a result of the tendency of the two

DM magnets

11402, 11406 to align such that their opposing bars are as close together as possible. When lateral rotation is applied as in fig. 114, the user will encounter resistance to movement and when cartridge support member 24 is released, cartridge support member 24 will again be in its predetermined rest position relative to handle 60 as

DM magnets

11402, 11406 realign relative to each other.

The above embodiment is shown where the cartridge support member 24 will include a yoke and cartridge 22 assembled such that the cartridge 22 can rotate relative to the yoke 47/arm 30 and return to a known position (initial starting position or ISP), but this is not a limitation of the present disclosure unless specifically required. The attachment of the blade cartridge 22 to the yoke 47/arm 30 and the limitation and control of the rotation of the blade cartridge 22 in the yoke 47/arm 30 may be accomplished in any of a number of ways described herein, including but not limited to mechanical devices such as physical shaft features and RDP (resiliently deformable detents) or magnetic configurations such as but not limited to alternating attracting/repelling magnets, multi-pole or programmable magnets, etc. While this embodiment has been shown using a single sided blade cartridge whose ISP is defined by a pair of repelling

magnets

11410, 11412, with one repelling magnet 11410 located at the back 11409 of the blade cartridge 22 and the other repelling magnet 11412 located at the leading edge of the central web of the yoke 47, this is for illustration purposes only and any configuration described herein may be used. It should be noted that repelling magnet 11412 need not be a separate magnet in the assembly, but may utilize one of

magnets

11402, 11406 in the connection of handle 60 or cartridge support member 24 to create a repelling magnetic force with magnet 11410 in cartridge 22.

Turning now to fig. 115-118, pairs of radially magnetized (DM) ring and/or disc magnets are described for effecting attachment between two components (such as, but not limited to, the shaving razor handle 60 and cartridge support member 24) such that the two components are securely fixed to one another, but may rotate relative to one another about multiple axes while tending to return to a predetermined rest position; and may be manually separated upon application of sufficient force, such as during replacement of a used head assembly 20 with a new head assembly 20.

As described herein, when DM cylindrical magnets are allowed to be in close proximity to the planar sides facing each other, they will be coaxially aligned such that the opposing poles are adjacent. In addition, if one DM magnet is rotationally moved from its rest position relative to the other DM magnet, it will return to its rest position in a manner that closely mimics the behavior of a spring.

Through the use of two or more pairs of

DM magnets

11702, 11704, cartridge support member 24 may be rotated from a first position (as generally shown in fig. 115) to a second position (as generally shown in fig. 116) using a first DM magnet pair 11702, and finally to a third position (as generally shown in fig. 117) using a second DM magnet pair 11704. The first DM magnet pair 11702 may form a yoke joint and the second DM magnet pair 11704 may form a center joint.

In the illustrated embodiment, a yoke joint 11706 (see, e.g., fig. 116) connects the cartridge support member 24/yoke 47 to a portion of the intermediate knuckle 11708. The cartridge support member 24/yoke 47 and the first portion of the intermediate knuckle 11708 each include one of the at least one

DM magnet

11710, 11712 of the first DM magnet pair 11702. The

DM magnets

11710, 11712 tend to keep the cartridge support member 24 and intermediate knuckle 11708 assembled and in a predetermined rest position (as generally shown in fig. 115), but the user may twist the cartridge support member 24 relative to the intermediate knuckle 11708 generally in the direction of arrow 11714 about the common axis of the

DM magnets

11710, 11712 by applying a torque to the cartridge support member 24. When the force is released, the

DM magnet

11710, 11712 tends to align with its adjacent pole, which will generate a torque that returns the cartridge support member 24 to its predetermined rest position relative to the intermediate knuckle 11708.

The central joint 11716 includes a second DM magnet pair 11704 and connects the intermediate knuckle 11708 to the shaving razor handle 60. The second portion of the middle knuckle 11708 and the handle 60 each include one of at least one

DM magnet

11718, 11720, respectively, of a second DM magnet pair 11704. It should be understood that the intermediate knuckle 11708 may be considered part of the handle 60. For example, the intermediate steering knuckle 11708 and the portion of the handle 60 that includes the DM magnet 11720 may form a first portion 11701 and a second portion 11703 of the collar of the handle 60.

As with the yoke joint 11706, the

DM magnets

11718, 11720 hold the

portions

11701, 11703 assembled and in a predetermined rest position (as generally shown in fig. 115) such that the position of the cartridge 22 relative to the handle 60 is similar to a conventional shaving razor. The user may rotate the cartridge support member 24/cartridge 22 downward or upward, but since the

DM magnets

11718, 11720 tend to align their adjacent poles, and the cartridge 22 will return to its predetermined rest position after release, the user will experience a spring-like resistance to this movement.

For both the yoke joint 11706 and the center joint 11716, given a small angular displacement, the DM magnet has a tendency to remain concentric throughout the displacement, making the mechanical pivot feature optional. For larger angular displacements, this effect is reduced and a mechanical pivot can be used. In this case, the DM ring magnet (as opposed to the DM disc magnet) may provide the advantage of the natural location of the mechanical pivot, i.e., the pin that acts as a shaft that protrudes from one component through the inner diameter of the two magnets. The procedure of attachment and detachment of these two components will vary depending on whether or not there is a mechanical pivot feature. Without such a feature, the two DM magnets may be radially or axially close to each other and eventually naturally assume the predetermined rest position. If a mechanical pivot feature is present, the two DM magnets may need to be attached to each other by an axial motion.

Since the DM magnets in the two

joints

11706, 11716 tend to assume the predetermined rest position, a locking joint approach may be used if the user desires to use the shaving razor 10 in a configuration other than the predetermined rest position (which is shown similar to that of a conventional shaving razor for illustrative purposes only). One possible locking system would include two shaving modes: a "facial mode" and a "body mode". In face mode, the center joint 11716 may be locked in its predetermined rest position, but the yoke joint 11706 may be allowed to rotate to a limited extent. This pattern is shown in fig. 115. The body mode may be used by: the two

joints

11706, 11716 are rotated 90 degrees such that the axis of rotation of cartridge support member 24 in yoke 47 is parallel to handle longitudinal axis L. Because the DM magnet in this state will attempt to return the two

fittings

11706, 11716 to their predetermined rest positions, a mechanical lock may be used to hold the two

fittings

11706, 11716 in the 90 degree position. The process of changing between facial and body modes will involve two actions: 1) As shown in fig. 117, center fitting 11716 is rotated 90 degrees; and 2) rotating the yoke joint 11706 90 degrees (shown in fig. 116), the resulting configuration is shown in fig. 117. These two actions may be performed in either order.

Referring to fig. 118, cartridge support member 24 may include one or more restraining projections 12002 that are at least partially received in one or more restraining cavities or recesses 12004 formed in a middle knuckle 11708 (e.g., portion 11701). Similarly, the handle 60 (e.g., portion 11703) can include one or more limiting protrusions 12006 that are at least partially received in one or more limiting cavities or recesses 12008 formed in the intermediate knuckle 11708 (e.g., portion 11701). Of course, the arrangement of the restraining

projections

12002, 12006 and the restraining recesses 12004, 12008 relative to the cartridge support member 24, the intermediate knuckle 11708 (portion 11701), and/or the handle 60 (portion 11703) may be reversed. The limiting

protrusions

12002, 12006 and limiting

recesses

12004, 12008 can limit movement of the yoke joint 11706 and the central joint 11716 to a predetermined range. It will be appreciated that the predefined range need not be symmetrical about the predetermined rest position. In this way, the

limiter projections

12002, 12006 and limiter grooves 12004, 2008 may allow, for example, a 90 degree rotation in one direction and less than 20 degrees rotation in the opposite direction (these values are for illustration purposes only).

It should be understood that any one of the DM magnets may be replaced by one or more Programmable Magnets (PMs) comprising a plurality of pole segments. The result will be a plurality of stable equilibrium positions rather than just one, which will have the effect of shifting or braking as the cartridge support member 24 rotates about the common axis of the magnets. The cartridge support member 24 may thus be placed in any one of several positions to achieve the best shaving results. The number of possible positions and thus the transition of the magnetic detent system will only be limited by the maximum number of pole segments that can be applied to the magnet.

The above embodiments are shown where the cartridge support member 24 will include a yoke and cartridge 22 assembled such that the cartridge 22 can rotate relative to the yoke 47/arm 30 and return to a known position (initial starting position or ISP), but this is not a limitation of the present disclosure unless specifically required. The blade holder 22 may be single sided or may be double sided. The attachment of the blade holder 22 to the yoke 47/arm 30 and the limitation and control of the rotation of the blade holder 22 in the yoke 47/arm 30 may be accomplished in any manner described herein, including but not limited to mechanical devices such as physical shaft features and RDP (resiliently deformable detent) or magnetic configurations such as but not limited to alternating attracting/repelling magnets, multi-pole or programmable magnets, and the like. For example, but not limited to, blade holder 22 may include a double-sided holder head whose ISP is determined by a pair of multi-pole magnets positioned concentrically with the axis of rotation of the blade holder.

As described herein (see, for example and without limitation, fig. 82), more than two magnets may be used to create a hover/float effect between two components (e.g., without limitation, the connection between the handle 60 and the cartridge support member 24). Turning now to fig. 119-124, one embodiment of the shaving razor 10 has at least two concentric radially magnetized

magnets

12102, 12104 to achieve a floating effect between the two components of the shaving razor (such as, but not limited to, between the cartridge support member 24 and the handle 60) that allows for two degrees of freedom (angular and axial) movement. The shaving razor 10 may additionally include the use of repulsive magnetic forces between the

DM magnets

12102, 12104 to achieve both a locking and ejection effect between the two components.

In particular, the shaving razor 10 includes a radially magnetized (DM) disk magnet 12102 attached to one shaving razor component (such as, but not limited to, the handle 60), the disk magnet 12102 being concentrically disposed with a radially magnetized (DM) ring magnet 12104 attached to another component (such as, but not limited to, the cartridge support member 24), and the magnetic poles being arranged such that the opposing magnetic poles of the two

DM magnets

12102, 12104 face each other in the inner diameter of the ring DM magnet 12104, with the effect of balancing, floating or hovering the DM magnet 11204 of the cartridge support member 24 and the disk DM magnet 12102 of the handle 60 at the point where the

DM magnets

12102, 12104 are coplanar.

According to one embodiment, cartridge support member 24 may include a cavity 12502 (best seen in fig. 123A) and handle 60 may include an axially outwardly extending rod 12504. The rod 12504 may include a disk-shaped DM magnet 12102 and may be configured to be at least partially received in the chamber 12502, which may include the DM disk magnet 12102, such that the disk-shaped DM magnet 12102 may be aligned such that the opposing poles of the two

DM magnets

12102, 12104 face each other at the ID (e.g., floating position) of the annular DM magnet 12104. Chamber 12502 may also be configured to allow rod 12504 to continue to move forward beyond the floating position as described herein. Of course, the arrangement of the DM disk magnet 12102 and DM ring magnet 12104, as well as the chamber 12502 and rod 12504, may be reversed, and other combinations of DM disk magnet 12102 and DM ring magnet 12104 may be included.

If a suitable gap (best seen in fig. 123B) is left between

mating surfaces

12506, 12508 of cartridge support member 24 and handle 60, cartridge support member 24 will appear to float axially relative to handle 60 while always returning to a point of equilibrium after deflection, thus creating the impression of shaving razor 10 having a small shock absorber between cartridge support member 24 and handle 60. If the cartridge support member 24 is given a small axial and/or angular displacement about the common axis of the DM magnets 12102, 12104 (as generally shown in fig. 120), the attraction of the two

DM magnets

12102, 12104 will cause the cartridge support member 24 to return to its original angular position at its equilibrium point (as generally shown in fig. 119). The range of axial and/or angular displacements in which the attraction of the two

DM magnets

12102, 12104 returns the two components to their original juxtaposed positions is referred to as the "return range".

Optionally, rod 12504 may include a guide pin 12510 (best seen in fig. 123A and 123B) that is received in a locking and/or ejection chamber or recess 12512 provided in cartridge support member 24. For example, the locking and/or ejection chamber or groove 12512 may include an opening that allows the guide pin 12510 to be received therein. Once in the locking and/or ejection chamber or recess 12512, movement of the guide pin 12510 (and thus the handle 60 relative to the cartridge support member 24) is limited (e.g., mechanically limited) to maintain relative movement of the two components in the return range, except as given below.

The locking and/or ejection chamber or recess 12512 may have one or more distinct regions or ranges that allow for predetermined movement and/or substantially prevent (e.g., substantially fix, retain, and/or lock) movement of the cartridge support member 24 relative to the handle 60. For example, one embodiment of a locking and/or ejection chamber or recess 12512 is generally shown in fig. 123C and 123D. It will be appreciated that locking and/or ejection chamber or groove 12512 may extend radially around a portion of cartridge support member 24. Fig. 123C generally illustrates a locking and/or ejection chamber or groove 12512 having a return range 12514, a locking range 12516 and/or an ejection range 12518 (which allows the guide pin 12510 to enter and/or exit the locking and/or ejection chamber or groove 12512), and fig. 123D generally illustrates the guide pin 12510 disposed at different positions in the

ranges

12514, 12516, 12518. Fig. 123E illustrates a locking (e.g., with a 90 degree lock) and/or pop-up cavity or groove 12512 and a guide pin 12510 with a return range 12514, a pop-up range 12518, and/or an optional locking range 12516 (e.g., with a 0 degree lock). It should be understood that although the guide pin 12510 is shown in fig. 123D and 123E as being arranged in multiple ranges simultaneously, this is for illustrative purposes only, and the guide pin 12510 will be in only one range at any given time.

Without mechanical constraint, when sufficient angular displacement is applied to cartridge support member 24, the "return range" 12514 is exceeded and

DM magnets

12102, 12104 begin to assume their mutually exclusive positions. In the case of a radially magnetized disk/

ring pair

12102, 12104, the effect of this repulsion is to impart an axial motion such that the two

DM magnets

12102, 12104 no longer remain coplanar. Also without mechanical constraints, such axial movement may occur in either direction. One possible direction of axial movement has the effect of pulling the two parts together, while the other has the effect of pushing them apart. If mechanical constraints are added (e.g., the guide pin 12510 and the locking and/or ejection chamber or recess 12512), the direction of axial movement that occurs upon exiting the return range may be controlled based on user input.

Turning now to fig. 121, the shaving blade 10 is shown in the following described positions/alignments: this position/alignment causes the two components (e.g., cartridge support member 24 and handle 60) to be drawn together when cartridge support member 24 is rotated in one particular direction (e.g., without limitation, clockwise in the illustrated embodiment). Guide pin 12510 (e.g., rod 12504) on handle 60 exerts a ramp within locking range 12516 of locking and/or ejection chamber or recess 12512, bringing handle 60 and cartridge support member 24 toward each other as rotation continues, up to the point where the gap is fully closed, and the components into intimate contact after being rotated 90 degrees relative to each other. The result is to "lock" or eliminate any axial or rotational floating effect. As shown in fig. 121, 123C-123D, the locking means may optionally include a detent feature whereby the cartridge support member 24 must be manually pulled away from the handle 60 in order to overcome the lock and return the cartridge support member 24 to a floating state.

Turning now to fig. 122, the shaving razor 10 is shown in a position/alignment that facilitates axial separation of components (e.g., cartridge support member 24 and handle 60). In this case, when cartridge support member 24 is rotated in one particular direction (e.g., without limitation, counterclockwise in this embodiment), guide pin 12510 exerts a ramp within ejection range 12518, pushing cartridge support member 24 and handle 60 away from each other. Because of the interaction of the

DM magnets

12102, 12104, if the guide pin 12510 is given a suitable escape path (escape path), this feature can be designed to drive the components to the point where they are forced apart, resulting in a "pop-up" effect. If these two systems (e.g., locking and ejection) are combined into a single device and "locking" and "ejection" occur when cartridge support member 24 is rotated in two different directions, the result is shown in fig. 123B and 123D, where guide pin 12510 may exist in three different ranges — return range 12514, locking range 12516, or ejection range 12518. In this case, the user may choose the action to be imparted to cartridge support member 24 based on the direction in which he or she rotates cartridge support member 24 relative to handle 60.

As noted above, FIG. 123E also shows an alternative locking mechanism, wherein the locked position is angularly the same as the nominal float position. This is useful in situations where the user wishes to use the shaving razor 10 in a conventional orientation but temporarily disables the damper effect inherent in the design. In this case (e.g., "0 lock"), locking is achieved by sequentially rotating cartridge support member 24 counterclockwise, driving it inward toward handle 60, rotating cartridge support member 24 clockwise until it is moved and released. In the process, guide pin 12510 is guided along a U-shaped path into locked position 12516, which results in cartridge support member 24 being at the same angle as it was starting. Releasing cartridge support member 24 from this locked position 12516 would involve reversing the above steps to bring guide pin 12510 back into return range 12514.

While shaving razor 10 has been shown with a head assembly 20 (including cartridge support member 24 and cartridge 22) having a double sided cartridge 22 that pivots relative to arm 30 about a pivot axis PA at its geometric center, with two stable equilibrium positions (initial starting position or ISP) that are user selectable and 180 degrees apart, this is not a limitation of the present disclosure unless specifically required, and DM magnets (and any of the features described in relation thereto) may be used with any of the cartridges described herein. Further, rotation (and control thereof) may be achieved using any of the anti-pivot mechanisms described herein, such as, but not limited to, RDP (elastically deformable detent) or magnetic devices, such as alternating attracting/repelling magnets (e.g., the options shown in fig. 119-123), multi-pole or programmable magnets, and the like.

Additionally, either side of the cartridge 22 may contain multiple blades angled in the same direction (as in conventional shaving razors for facial modes), which may be on one face and/or on one or more faces with an even number of blades, with half of the blades angled in one direction and the other half angled in the other direction (to allow shaving in either direction for body modes). In such a case, the user may find it advantageous to utilize one of the two cartridge head positions when the cartridge is in a floating state and to utilize the other position when the cartridge is locked. The system may further be arranged to a second fixed position- "body mode" (fig. 124). This embodiment may include a handle/collar 12602, optionally with a mechanical pivot, that may lock 90 down from a conventional handle position (fig. 119) or face mode and a yoke/cartridge head assembly 90 ° lock position (fig. 121). The process of changing between facial and body modes will involve two actions: 1) Rotating the collar joint 90 degrees as shown in fig. 124 and 2) rotating the yoke joint 90 degrees as shown in fig. 121, the resulting configuration is shown in fig. 124. These two actions may be performed in either order.

As noted above, while a double sided blade holder 22 is shown, this is for illustration purposes only and the blade holder may include a single sided blade holder head. In this case, the cartridge head may pivot along an axis near one longitudinal edge of the cartridge support member 24 and be secured between the yoke arms 30. The single-sided blade holder ISP may be determined in one of the various ways described herein, including but not limited to a magnetic arrangement, such as a pair of repelling magnets, one of which will be located on the rear side of the blade holder head and the other of which is located on the leading edge of the web spanning the yoke arms.

Referring to fig. 125-136, various embodiments of a shaving razor 10 are generally illustrated that includes magnets to position and control rotation of the cartridge 22 within the cartridge support member 24 (e.g., yoke 47). The cartridge 22 may be disposed at the end of the arm 30 of the yoke 47 and rotate about a pivot axis PA that is fixed relative to the arm 30, and may include two stable equilibrium orientations (also referred to as an initial starting position or ISP) that are 180 degrees apart, selected by the user. When in either of these orientations, such as during a shaving stroke, when undergoing a small (< 90 degrees) angular displacement, the cartridge 22 may be pushed back to its ISP and the torque required for its completion is generated by a combination of magnets and/or ferrous elements instead of the conventional cartridge biasing mechanism. The limitation and control of the rotation of the cartridge 22 within the cartridge support member 24 may be accomplished in any manner already described herein, including but not limited to mechanical devices such as physical shaft features and RDP (elastically deformable detent) or magnetic arrangements such as alternating attracting/repelling magnets, multi-pole or programmable magnets, etc.

Turning now to fig. 125-126, one embodiment of a shaving razor 10 having the above-described anti-pivot mechanism is generally shown. As shown, one or more fixed arm magnets 12702 (e.g., without limitation, disc magnets) are located in one or more of the two arms 30 of cartridge support member 24. Arm magnet 12702 may be positioned off-axis with respect to pivot axis PA and its orientation is known. Ring magnets 12704 that have been magnetized radially in four quadrants alternating between north and south may be disposed in and secured to one or more lateral edges of the blade holder 22 and generally face the securing arm magnets 12702.

Due to the off-axis position of the arm magnets 12702, the arm magnets 12702 have the ability to transfer torque to the blade holder 22 according to the quadrant of the ring magnets 12704 adjacent to the arm magnets 12702. As a result, the ring magnets 12704 are oriented such that when the blade holder 22 is in one of its two ISPs, the polarity of the quadrant of each ring magnet 12704 adjacent to its corresponding arm magnet 12702 is opposite the polarity of the adjacent face of the disk magnets 12704. As a result, the cartridge 22 will be pushed back to its closest (and nearest) ISP when the cartridge 22 undergoes a small rotational displacement about its pivot axis PA.

To switch between two possible ISPs, the user will intentionally rotate blade holder 22 about pivot axis PA in either direction until the rotation has passed 90 degrees, at which point there is an unstable equilibrium point where the like poles of ring magnet 12704 and fixed arm magnet 12702 are adjacent to each other and thus repel each other. This situation is shown in fig. 126. Without any significant source of friction, it is generally not possible to balance the cartridge 22 at one of these unstable equilibrium points, so the cartridge 22 will naturally continue to rotate past that point and settle at the next ISP, which is a stable equilibrium point, 180 degrees apart from the previous ISP. It should be noted that given

magnets

12702, 12704 of sufficient strength, this same behavior may be obtained by

magnets

12702, 12704 located on only one side of cartridge 22 and in one arm 30 of cartridge support member 24, rather than by magnets at both lateral ends of cartridge 22 and arm 30, as generally shown.

Turning now to fig. 127 and 128, another embodiment of the shaving razor 10 having the above-described anti-pivot mechanism is generally shown. As shown, one or more stationary arm magnets 12902 are located in one or more of the two arms 30 of cartridge support member 24 and may have a rectangular, oval, and/or elongated shape. The arm magnet 12902 can be magnetized across the thickness (depth) of the magnet. The arm magnet 12902 may be positioned at least partially off-axis relative to the pivot axis PA and its orientation is known. Cartridge magnets 12904 may be disposed in and secured to one or more lateral edges of cartridge 22 and generally face fixed arm magnets 12902. Cartridge magnets 12904 may also have a rectangular, oval, and/or elongated shape, however, the length 12906 of cartridge magnets 12904 may be longer than the length 12908 of arm magnets 12902. The blade holder magnet 12904 can be magnetized across the thickness (depth) of the magnet.

In this embodiment, the

magnets

12902, 12904 are always oriented with opposing poles facing each other, and therefore the repulsive nature of the

magnets

12902, 12904 is not utilized. This configuration is shown in fig. 127. Magnet 12904 in blade holder 22 may be centered about the pivot axis PA and oriented such that the length 12906 of magnet 12904 is parallel to the width 12910 of blade holder 22. Magnets 12904 in cartridge support member 24/arm 30 are shorter and are positioned behind and about pivot axis PA. The drive torque that causes cartridge 22 to assume one of the two ISPs stems from the alignment tendencies of

magnets

12902, 12904 such that the mating surfaces have the greatest area of overlap. When an angular displacement is applied to blade holder 22, the area of overlap between

magnets

12902, 12904 is reduced because the long axes of the magnet shapes are no longer aligned. If the angular displacement is small (as shown in fig. 128), the cartridge 22 will return to the closest (and nearest) ISP when released. As with the previous embodiment, when the

magnets

12902, 12904 are oriented at 90 degrees to each other, there is an unstable equilibrium position. Thus, if the displacement exceeds 90 degrees, the cartridge 22 will flip to another ISP, which is a stable balance point 180 degrees apart from the previous ISP.

Turning now to FIG. 129, yet another embodiment of a shaving razor 10 having the above-described anti-pivot mechanism is generally illustrated. This embodiment is similar to those of fig. 125-126 and/or 127-128, however, the magnets may be replaced by one or more magnetized nanotube-reinforced

thermoplastic regions

13102, 13104, respectively, integrally molded with the cartridge 22 and/or the arm 30. The

regions

13102, 13104 shown in fig. 129 are for illustration purposes only. The illustrated

areas

13102, 13104 may not be detectable or visible on the final end product. These

regions

13102, 13104 may be programmed so that the opposing poles face each other across the gap between the inner surface of the yoke arms 30 and the side surfaces of the blade holder 22; thus, repulsion is not utilized and the behavior of the blade holder 22 is driven entirely by varying the degree of attraction between the magnetized regions. The ISP is determined by the location of the cartridge 22 where the overlap between the

magnetized regions

13102, 13104, and thus the attraction, is greatest. As with the embodiment of fig. 127 and 128, when cartridge 22 is given a small rotational displacement (< 90 degrees), the reduction in overlap area and attraction between the two

magnetized regions

13102, 13104 serves to return cartridge 22 to its closest (and nearest) ISP. When the cartridge 22 is rotated 90 degrees from the ISP, it encounters an unstable equilibrium position and flips to another ISP, which is a stable equilibrium point 180 degrees apart from the previous ISP.

Turning now to FIG. 130, another embodiment of a shaving razor 10 having the above-described anti-pivot mechanism is generally shown. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment described in fig. 127-128; however, one or more rectangular magnets in the blade holder 22 and/or the arm 30 may be replaced with a ferrous element. In the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge magnets 12904 in the cartridge 22 have been replaced with ferrous elements 13202, but it should be understood that the arm magnets 12902 may be replaced with ferrous elements and the cartridge magnets 12904 may remain.

Because the embodiments described in fig. 127-128 do not utilize repulsion, and the behavior of the cartridge 22 in fig. 130 is controlled by different levels of attraction between the magnetic element 12902 and the ferrous element 13202 as the cartridge 22 rotates about its pivot axis PA, a set of

magnets

12902, 12904 may be replaced with a ferrous bar 13202. This may provide cost and manufacturability advantages while providing similar performance to that of the paired

magnets

12902, 12904 shown in fig. 127-128.

As described above, a combination of magnets (magnet 12902 or magnet 12904) may be provided in the ends of both arms 30 and blade holder 22 (as shown generally in fig. 130) or in a single end of a single arm 30 and blade holder 22 (as shown generally in fig. 131). Referring to fig. 132-133, the configuration of fig. 130 may be altered to remove an arm 30 that does not include a magnet. In this embodiment, the cartridge 22 is constrained and controlled by one single yoke arm 30, and the pivot axis PA depends from the end of the arm 30, rather than spanning the distance between two symmetrical yoke arms 30, as generally shown in fig. 131. The pivot axis PA of cartridge 22 may be designed so that cartridge 22 may slide off shaft 13502 as shown generally in fig. 133. In this case, the magnetic elements (e.g., magnets in the arm 30 and ferrous strips and/or magnets in the blade holder 22) not only serve to angularly position the blade holder 22 relative to the arm 30, but also to retain the blade holder 22 on the arm 30. Changing cartridge 22 would be a simple event of pulling laterally on a used cartridge 22 to overcome the reluctance, sliding cartridge 22 off of shaft 13502 and sliding a new cartridge 22 on. Due to the magnetic attraction between the arm magnet 12902 and the body ferrous element 13202, the new cartridge 22 will laterally adopt its proper position and also automatically adopt one of the two ISPs.

The shaving razor 10 of fig. 125-133 is shown with a user replaceable cartridge 22 that is removable from the handle 60. This may be accomplished in one of the various ways that have been described herein, including but not limited to a magnetic configuration (such as but not limited to a matching radially magnetized (DM) disc and/or ring or magnetic detent/snap system) or a mechanical/magnetic configuration, such as an improved twist/lock/eject system. Additionally (or alternatively), only cartridge 22 may be replaced and cartridge support member 24 may remain permanently coupled/incorporated into handle 60. In such embodiments, when cartridge 22 is replaced, a portion or all of cartridge support member 24 will remain with handle 60 rather than being discarded with cartridge 22. These variations provide the advantage of reducing material usage and the number of parts in the replaceable portion of the razor blade system.

Turning now to fig. 134-135, a variation of the embodiment of fig. 130 is generally shown. Although in the embodiment of fig. 127-128, the cartridge 22 is generally permanently coupled to the cartridge support member 24, the pivot axis 13602 of fig. 134-135 is secured to the cartridge 22 rather than the arm 30, and a channel/groove/slot 13604 is provided in the arm 30 and/or the magnet 13606 to allow removal of the cartridge 22 and the shaft 13602 from the arm 30. In one embodiment, the slot 13604 may include a blind slot extending through the end of the arm 30 and the end at the desired axis of rotation. The cartridge 22 may be magnetically retained in the arm 30 because the yoke magnet 13606 is present behind the pivot axis PA and tends to pull the cartridge 22 into the arm 30 in addition to determining ISP until the shaft 13602 reaches the end of the blind slot 13604. Replacing the cartridge 22 may involve pulling the used cartridge 22 in a direction away from the handle 60 to overcome the reluctance, removing the cartridge 22 and shaft 13602, and sliding the shaft 13602 of a new cartridge 22 into the slot 13604, as generally shown in fig. 135. It should be understood that the ferrous element 13202 on the cartridge 22 may be replaced with one or more magnets and the yoke magnet 13606 may be replaced with a ferrous element.

Turning now to FIG. 136, another embodiment of the shaving razor 10 having the above-described anti-pivot mechanism is generally shown. The shaving razor 10 includes a two-piece arm 30 having a first portion 13802 permanently coupled to the cartridge support member 24 and a second portion 13804 rotatably (or pivotably) coupled to the cartridge 22. The first portion 13802 of the arm 30 includes an arm magnet 13806 having a magnetic pole aligned with the fixed arm magnet 12902 to produce an attractive magnetic force to thereby couple the cartridge 22 to the cartridge support member 24.

For example, a pair of mortise and tongue-and-groove features may be used to attach each yoke arm tip (e.g., second portion 13804) to the yoke frame (e.g., first portion 13802). Because the yoke arm tips 13804 already have magnets 12902 (see, e.g., the embodiment of fig. 130) used for blade holder 22 positioning purposes, these magnets may also be used to hold the yoke arm tips 13804 in place if additional magnets or ferrous elements 13806 are located in the yoke frame 13802 at the connection between the frame and the tips. Removing the blade holder 22 in this case would involve pulling the used blade holder 22 in a direction away from the handle 60 to overcome the attraction between the magnet 12902 in the yoke arm tip 13804 and the magnet or ferrous element 13806 in the yoke frame 13802 and slide the mortise and tongue features apart. Attachment may be accomplished by aligning mortise and tongue features on the two yoke arm tips 13804 with their corresponding features in the yoke frame 13802 and allowing magnetic attraction between the tips 13804 and elements in the frame 13802 to mount a new blade cartridge 22. This embodiment may include magnets in both yoke arms 30 (if there are two arms 30) not only because they are used to secure the yoke arm tips 13804 to the frame 13802, but also because they will help align the yoke arm tips 13804 in the same direction relative to the blade holder 22, which is needed during installation of a new blade holder 22 to properly and simultaneously match the mortise and tongue features on each side.

Turning now to fig. 137, one embodiment of a shaving razor 10 is generally shown that includes a nanotube sheet, strip or wire 13902 incorporated into a replaceable head assembly 20 (such as, but not limited to, a cartridge 22). The nanotube sheet, strip, or wire 13902 may be energized by an electrical current to warm the user's skin during shaving. The warmth from the nanotube sheet, strip or line 13902 is transmitted through the IR radiation zone. For example, far Infrared Radiation (FIR) delivers energy purely in the form of heat that can be sensed by heat receptors in the human skin, and is sensed almost instantaneously. FIR is experienced by the user's body because mild radiant heat can penetrate up to 1.5 "under the skin. The FIR is absorbed and released by the human body, and therefore the heat generated by the nanotubes is perceived as natural and is potentially therapeutic in feel. Nanotube fibers have been successfully impregnated in fabrics, wraps and garments to deliver FIR in order to derive health benefits from its effects. It is important that the nanotube sheet, strip or line 13902 not be used to heat any portion of the shaving blade 10, but only the skin of the user. As such, the shaving blade 10 may feel "cold" (e.g., ambient temperature).

For example, a power source (e.g., a battery) may be electrically connected to a nanotube sheet, strip, or wire 13902 mounted on, in, or near a face of the cartridge 22, e.g., as generally shown in fig. 137. The user may control the heating by activating an electrical switch located on the shaving razor 10 (e.g., the handle 60 and/or the head assembly 20). A battery or another power source may be located within or external to a section of the shaving razor assembly (e.g., handle 60), and current may flow through the nanotube sheet, strip or wire 13902 via a wire or other electrical connection. Nanotube sheets, strips, or wires 13902 may be applied to any of the head assemblies 20 described herein.

Referring to fig. 137 and 138, another embodiment of an anti-pivot mechanism and a coupling mechanism is generally shown. In particular, the pivot axis 14002 (best seen in fig. 138) may comprise a ferrous material secured to the cartridge 22. A U-shaped or slotted magnet 14004 is mounted in the top end of the yoke arm 30, the shape of the magnet 14004 defining a channel with an opening to allow removal of the blade holder 22 (e.g., shaft 14002). Fig. 137 generally illustrates cartridge 22 mounted/coupled to cartridge support member 24. The channel is shown as a blind slot extending through the end of the arm 30 and into the magnet 14004, terminating at the desired location of the axis of rotation. Due to the close contact between the ferrous shaft 14002 and the U-shaped magnet 14004, the blade carriage 22 is magnetically held in the arm 30 and the pivot axis PA is properly positioned with the shaft tip at the end of the blind slot. Replacing the cartridge 22 involves pulling the used cartridge 22 in a direction away from the handle 60 to overcome the magnetic force joining the ferrous shaft 14002 to the magnet 14004, removing the cartridge 22 and shaft 14002, and sliding the shaft 14002 of a new cartridge 22 into the slot. The magnetic attraction between the ferrous shaft 14002 and the slotted magnet 14004 completes the assembly process. Alternatively, the previously described assembly and ISP mechanism may be replaced by placement into a slotted programmed magnet receptacle (a magnet having a slot to receive a pivot pin) with a programmed magnetic shaft (particularly a tip). Although cartridge 22 and cartridge support member 24 are shown as having a magnetic biasing system (see, e.g., magnetic biasing system 14702 described in fig. 145-147), this is not a limitation of the present disclosure unless otherwise required and shaving razor 10 may include any of the anti-pivot mechanisms described herein.

Turning now to fig. 139-140, one embodiment of pivotably coupling the cartridge 22 to the cartridge support member 24 using a plurality of magnets is generally shown. As explained herein, the connection between the cartridge 22 and the cartridge support member 24 may appear as if the cartridge 22 hovers relative to the cartridge support member 24.

In particular, the cartridge 22 is rotatable about a pivot axis PA that is fixed relative to the yoke arm 30, but tends to return to its original starting position (ISP) when subjected to small (< 90 degrees) angular displacements, such as during a shaving stroke. Further, it is desirable to accomplish this behavior without the conventional shaft features so that the cartridge 22 "hovers" (or appears to hover) while remaining centered about its pivot axis PA and without the conventional mechanical biasing mechanism.

To create this effect, a pair of small, axially magnetized

disc magnets

14206, 14208 are mounted opposite one another, one magnet 14206 secured to a lateral end of the blade holder 22 and one magnet 14208 secured to the yoke arm 30. These

magnets

14206, 14208 are positioned such that they repel each other, which would tend to push the blade holder 22 away from the yoke arm 30 without the same pair of magnets on opposite sides of the blade holder 22; however, due to the

pair

14206, 14208 on the opposite ends, the two repelling forces cancel each other and cause the cartridge 22 to be centered between the yoke arms 30.

Without additional force, the blade holder 22 would not remain coaxial with the repelling magnets, as this position would be one of the unstable balances; cartridge 22 will be forced radially apart from cartridge support member 24. Surrounding a pair of small axially

magnetized disks

14206, 14208, however, is a pair of larger radially magnetized rings 14202, 14204 (best seen in fig. 140). As with the

discs

14206, 14208, one ring 14204 is secured to the cartridge 22 and the other ring 14202 is secured to the yoke arms 30. However, these

rings

14202, 14204 are oriented such that when the cartridge 22 is at its ISP, the opposing poles of the

rings

14202, 14204 are adjacent to each other, causing them to attract. This arrangement (face-to-face stacking) of radially

magnetized rings

14202, 14204 has a tendency to remain coaxially positioned with respect to each other. It is this force that cancels the radial force exerted by the pair of repelling

disks

14206, 14208 and positions the cartridge 22 in the yoke arm 30 on the pivot axis PA. Furthermore, the two stacked radially

magnetized rings

14202, 14204 positioned adjacent to each other with opposite magnetic poles remain concentrically positioned even when subjected to a limited amount of rotation relative to each other about their common axis, in which case the

magnets

14202, 14204, upon release, tend to rotate back to their preferred juxtaposition with opposite magnetic poles adjacent. As mentioned above, it is this feature that results in the desired bias behavior. Thus, the task of the inner axially

magnetized disc magnets

14206, 14208 is to create a hovering effect, while the task of the outer radially magnetized

ring magnets

14202, 14204 is to keep the blade holder 22 positioned on the pivot axis PA and return it to its ISP when it is subjected to a small rotational displacement.

This variation is to incorporate a multi-pole or programmed magnetic ring in place of the radially

magnetized rings

14202, 14204. As with the radially

magnetized rings

14202, 14204, the magnets will be positioned such that their opposing poles are adjacent to each other, but there will be more than two poles per magnet. This will result in the presence of multiple ISPs or stable equilibrium locations. A particular example of this is the use of a four pole ring, resulting in two ISPs 180 degrees apart. This embodiment is particularly suited for use with a dual sided cartridge head 22, which a user may position at will at one of two possible ISPs.

According to any of the embodiments described herein, cartridge 22 may be replaced along with cartridge support member 24; however, it is also possible that only cartridge 22 may be removed and cartridge support member 24 may be integral with handle 60.

Referring to fig. 141, the

repelling disc magnets

14206, 14208 can optionally include mating features such as, but not limited to, a recess 14302 on one magnet and a protrusion 14304 on the other magnet positioned along the pivot axis PA. Projection 14304 may be configured to be at least partially received within recess 14302 to introduce additional control elements because cartridge 22 may be allowed a small amount of radial movement relative to pivot axis PA, but cannot be completely disengaged. In this case, cartridge support member 24 and cartridge 22 may be configured as a permanent component, and the attachment mechanism between cartridge support member 24 and handle 60 as described above may be used.

Turning now to fig. 142-144, another embodiment of the shaving razor 10 is generally shown that may be selectively arranged in a "face mode" or a "body mode". In the facial mode, it is anticipated that in a top view, cartridge 22 will be perpendicular to handle 60 and will have a desired starting angle relative to the plane of the non-zero skin surface. In the body mode, it is anticipated that in a top view, cartridge 22 will be positioned parallel to handle 60, and also preferably parallel to the plane of the skin surface. As described herein, the shaving razor 10 includes a compound curvature trajectory 14402 to create multiple positions (e.g., facial mode and body mode) of the cartridge 22 relative to the handle 60 and to automatically change the cartridge head ISP (initial starting position) based on the position of the cartridge 22 in either the facial mode or the body mode. Thus, the compound curvature track 14402 not only repositions the alignment of the cartridge 22 relative to the handle 60, but also automatically changes the ISP as part of the reorientation of the cartridge 22 relative to the handle 60.

Pivoting of the cartridge 22 about the pivot axis PA may be accomplished using any of the embodiments described herein, and may optionally include any anti-pivot mechanism or any combination described herein. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, one side of the cartridge 22 may include a plurality of blades angled in the same direction (as in a conventional shaving blade), and the other side may include an even number of blades, half of which are angled in one direction and half of which are angled in the other direction (to allow shaving in either direction). These sides are referred to as the "facial side" and the "body side", respectively.

The face pattern is shown in several views of fig. 142. The body pattern is shown in fig. 143. The transition between the two modes may be accomplished by using a compound curvature track 14402, which compound curvature track 14402 includes a pair of helical tracks 14404, 14406 (e.g., an upper track 14404 and a lower track 14406) that traverse a compound curve along the circumference of the cartridge support member 24. Engaging these

tracks

14404, 14406 are three

guide pins

14408a, 14408b, 14408c located in grooves in the collar (fixed to the shaving razor handle 60). Two

pins

14408a, 14408b engage one track 14404 and one pin 14408c engages the other track 14406. As shown in fig. 142 and 143, two

pins

14408a, 14408b engage the top rail 14404 and a single pin 14408c engages the bottom rail 14406; however, this may be reversed by the same result. Changing the position of the cartridge 22 (e.g., from a facial mode to a body mode) simply involves sliding the cartridge support member 24 through a groove in the collar. Because three points of contact are sufficient to fully seat cartridge support member 24, cartridge support member 24 is restricted from changing its angle as it moves through the recess. The

helical tracks

14404, 14406 force the cartridge support member 24 to reorient itself during this operation such that when the motion is complete and the position of the cartridge 22 relative to the handle 60 has changed from perpendicular to parallel, the cartridge 22 also changes from angled to parallel to the plane of the skin. At this time, the cartridge 22 may optionally rotate from the face side to the body side in the cartridge support member 24.

Optional features may include a plurality of detents spaced throughout the range of motion of the cartridge support member 24 within the collar for the purpose of helping to maintain the cartridge support member 24 in a selected position during a shaving stroke. As shown in fig. 142 and 143, two

detents

14410a,14410b are included, each

detent

14410a,14410b being located at each limit of the motion (e.g., corresponding to a body mode and a face mode, respectively). These

detents

14410a,14410b can be accomplished using one of several possible methods, including a spring-loaded plunger (shown) 14420 or a mating magnet. Other optional features may include customizable, removable/replaceable trim panels that may be present on the cartridge support member 24 in the area spanned by the composite flex features 14402 including the

helical tracks

14404, 14406. The trim panel may be used to inscribe branding and/or printed instructions or icons intended to assist a user in selecting an appropriate yoke position.

A design consideration is the angle formed between the shaving razor handle 60 and the cartridge 22 in side view when the cartridge 22 is in the body mode (see, e.g., fig. 143). This angle is determined by the degree of twist in the helical track 14402 as the helical track 14402 passes through the perimeter of the cartridge support member 24 (zero twist will result in the cartridge 22 and handle 60 being perfectly parallel in side view). This angle may be selected by the designer/user to maximize the number of possible ways to retain the shaving blade 10, particularly when shaving hard to reach areas. Alternatively, tracks 14402 may be present on both sides of cartridge support member 24 rather than only on one side. In this case, the range of motion of cartridge support member 24 within the collar would double: the center position may represent a face pattern and there may be two body pattern positions, one at each end of the trajectory 14402. Because the tracks 14402 on both sides will be independent of each other, the two body mode positions may be mirror images of each other (i.e., the only difference being the side of the handle 60 to which the cartridge support member 24 is moved) or they may be twisted to different degrees. In this case, the user may select two resultant angles between handle 60 and cartridge 22 in the side view by selecting which side to slide cartridge support member 24.

In addition, the shaving razor 10 may automatically move the blade cartridge 22 to present the face side or body side to the skin surface (in the facial mode or body mode, respectively) depending on which mode the user selects by his or her positioning of the blade cartridge support member 24. This may be done by a cam or gear system or by some other configuration. A consideration for this design is whether the cartridge 22 is constrained by the mechanical system to assume an orientation corresponding to the position of the cartridge support member 24, or if the user may still choose to override the system and place the cartridge 22 in either orientation.

Additional optional features are shown in fig. 144. In this configuration, the end of the handle 60 or collar is adapted to include features that appear to blend into the curvature of the cartridge support member 24. In configurations with or without this feature, the durable/replaceable boundary may be at the junction between the cartridge support member 24 and the collar, the collar and the handle, or the cartridge 22 and the cartridge support member 24. Attachment and release of the replaceable portion from the handle to the yoke/cartridge head may be accomplished using any of the configurations described herein.

Turning now to fig. 145-147, one embodiment of a magnetic biasing system 14702 for urging a cartridge to an Initial Starting Position (ISP) is generally shown. The magnetic biasing system 14702 may include one or more cartridge support member magnets 11412 (only one shown for clarity) and one or more cartridge magnets 11410 whose poles are configured to generate a repulsive magnetic force urging the cartridge 22 away from the cartridge support member 24 about the pivot axis PA. In the illustrated embodiment, magnetic biasing system 14702 is configured to urge cartridge 22 in the direction generally shown by arrow 14704; however, it should be understood that blade holder 22 may rotate in any direction, including but not limited to a direction generally opposite arrow 14704.

According to one embodiment, cartridge magnets 11410 may be located on a back side 11409 of the single-sided cartridge 22 (e.g., the side of the cartridge 22 generally opposite the shaving blades disposed on the front side 14712). For example, cartridge magnet 11410 may be located at and/or above pivot axis PA (e.g., closer to top edge 14714 of cartridge 22 furthest from handle 60). The repulsive magnetic force created by the repelling

magnets

11410, 11412 and the cartridge magnet 11410 located above the pivot axis PA urges the cartridge 22 to rotate about the pivot axis PA in the direction of arrow 14704 towards the initial actuated position (ISP).

Cartridge support member 24 and/or cartridge 22 may optionally include one or more cartridge support projections, shoulders, ridges and/or extensions 9328 that set the Initial Starting Position (ISP) of cartridge 22 relative to cartridge support member 24 and handle 60. It will be appreciated that the ISP is the position of the cartridge 22 relative to the cartridge support member 24 and handle 60 without the application of force and the position to which the cartridge 22 returns after the external force is removed. In other words, when external forces are applied to the cartridge 22 during shaving, the external forces may overcome the repulsive magnetic forces between the cartridge support member magnets 11412 and the cartridge magnets 11410 such that the cartridge 22 moves in a direction generally opposite to arrow 14704. When the external force is removed and/or reduced, the repulsive magnetic force between

magnets

11410, 11412 pushes cartridge 22 back to the ISP. Thus, the ISP protrusion 9328 sets an initial starting position for the cartridge 22 relative to the cartridge support member 24 and limits rotation of the cartridge 22 in the direction of arrow 14704 and also limits/prevents over-rotation of the cartridge during a shaving stroke.

In the illustrated embodiment, the ISP protrusion 9328 is located inboard of one or more yoke arms 30 below the pivot axis PA (e.g., near the yoke 47), although as mentioned, this is not a limitation of the present disclosure unless specifically required. Thus, the ISP protrusion 9328 sets or defines the 0 position of the blade holder 22. The blade holder 22 may rotate about the pivot axis PA within a predetermined range of rotation. For example, the predefined range of rotation may be up to 110 degrees, such as less than 90 degrees or less than 45 degrees. Rotation of the cartridge 22 in a direction generally opposite to arrow 14704 may also be limited by the ISP protrusion 9328 and/or another protrusion, shoulder, ridge, and/or extension. This embodiment provides the advantage of generating a return force over a greater range of angular displacement relative to the spring-in excess of 90 degrees, allowing for appropriate adjustment of the surrounding geometric constraints.

Although the repelling

magnets

11410, 11412 are shown as being located in the center of the cartridge support member 24 and the cartridge 22, the repelling

magnets

11410, 11412 may be located at any position along the cartridge support member 24 and/or the cartridge 22. Further, while the repelling

magnets

11410, 11412 are shown as visible, this is for illustrative purposes only, and one or more of the repelling

magnets

11410, 11412 may be embedded in the cartridge support member 24 and/or the cartridge 22. Alternatively, cartridge support member magnets 11412 may be located in one or more projections (e.g., "swivels") 11416 that may extend generally outward from a portion of cartridge support member 24 toward cartridge 22. The rotating shelf 11416 may allow the cartridge support member magnet 11412 to be located closer to the cartridge magnet 11410, thereby increasing the repulsive magnetic force urging the cartridge 22 toward the ISP. Further, the swivel 11416 may increase the overall clearance between the cartridge 22 and the cartridge support member 24 by allowing only a portion of the cartridge support member 24 containing the cartridge support member magnet 11412 to approach the cartridge while allowing other portions of the cartridge support member 24 to be distant from the cartridge 22, thereby allowing the cartridge 22 to more freely pivot about the pivot axis PA during use (e.g., to allow room for shaving cream, debris/hair, etc.).

It should be noted that cartridge support member magnet 11412 need not be a separate magnet in the assembly, but rather one or more magnets as described herein for coupling cartridge support member 24 to handle 60 may be used to create a repulsive magnetic force with cartridge magnet 11410 in cartridge 22. Additionally, one or more shaving blades of cartridge 22 may be magnetized to form cartridge magnet 11410.

While magnetic biasing system 14702 is shown in combination with a single-sided blade holder 22, it should be understood that this is not a limitation of the present disclosure unless specifically required, and magnetic biasing system 14702 may be used with a multi-sided blade holder 22 (e.g., a double-sided blade holder 22). For example, the blade holder 22 may include a plurality of blade holder magnets 11410 that are internally disposed on opposite sides of the multi-face blade holder 22, the poles of the multi-face blade holder 22 being aligned in opposite directions such that when the blade holder 22 is rotated to a selected face, the pole of the blade holder magnet 11410 associated with the selected face (e.g., the blade holder magnet 11410 closest to the blade holder support member magnet 11412) is aligned with the blade holder support member magnet 11412 to produce a repulsive magnetic force.

Magnetic biasing system 14702 may be used with any of the handles 60 or head assemblies 20 described herein, including but not limited to replaceable head assemblies 20 (e.g., including embodiments in which both cartridge support member 24 and cartridge 22 are removably coupled to handle 60 and/or embodiments in which only cartridge 22 is removably coupled to cartridge support member 24 and cartridge support member 24 holds a portion (e.g., an integral or unitary component) of handle 60) and replaceable shaving blades that are integral or unitary components of handle 60 (e.g., replaceable shaving blades in which a cartridge cannot be removed from handle 60). Additionally, while magnetic biasing system 14702 is shown in combination with a single-sided blade holder 22, it should be understood that this is not a limitation of the present disclosure unless specifically required, and magnetic biasing system 14702 may be used with a multi-sided blade holder 22 (e.g., a double-sided blade holder 22).

In the illustrated embodiment, cartridge support member 24 is coupled to handle 60 using any mechanical connection and/or fastener described herein and/or known to those skilled in the art (e.g., without limitation, detachable fastener/clip 14902, as shown generally in fig. 147). Alternatively (or additionally), any of the magnetic connections described herein may be used to couple cartridge support member 24 to handle 60.

Referring to fig. 148, shaving razor 10 is generally shown having one or

more magnets

15002, 15004 disposed on cartridge support member 24 and cartridge 22, respectively, with their magnetic poles aligned to create an attractive magnetic force. In particular, cartridge magnet 15004 may be disposed on rear side 11409 of cartridge 22 below pivot axis PA (e.g., closer to cartridge support member 24 and generally opposite top edge 14714). Cartridge support member magnet 15002 may be placed anywhere on cartridge support member 24 as long as an attracting magnet is created. As shown in fig. 148, the attractive magnetic force may urge cartridge 22 to the ISP in a direction generally opposite arrow 14704. When a user applies force to the cartridge 22 during shaving, the external force may overcome the attractive magnetic force and the cartridge 22 may move generally in the direction of arrow 14704. As the external force is removed and/or reduced, the attractive magnetic force may urge the cartridge 22 back to the ISP generally in the opposite direction to arrow 14704. One or more ISP protrusions 9328 may be located on the cartridge support member 24 above and/or below the pivot axis PA to limit movement of the cartridge 22 in either direction and/or set/establish an ISP. It should be understood that the attractive magnetic force generated by

magnets

15002, 15004 may optionally be combined with one or more of

magnets

11410, 11412 to generate both attractive and repulsive magnetic forces (in the same and/or opposite directions).

It should also be understood that any one or more of the

magnets

11410, 11412 and/or 15002, 15004 may be replaced with nanoparticle magnets as described herein. Nanoparticle magnets may be embedded (e.g., molded) into one or more portions of cartridge support member 24 and/or cartridge 22 and may be programmed with desired magnetic poles to produce repulsive and/or attractive magnetic forces to propel cartridge 22 to the ISP. Alternatively or additionally, during the manufacturing process, cartridge support member 24 and/or cartridge 22 may be impregnated with nanoparticle material and then programmed with the desired magnetic poles to create repulsive and/or attractive magnetic forces to urge cartridge 22 to the IPS.

Various embodiments have been shown herein having a magnetic biasing system 14702 generally consistent with fig. 145-147; however, it should be understood that this is for illustrative purposes only, and that other biasing systems described herein may be used.

It should be understood that any anti-pivot mechanism or any combination described herein (e.g., without limitation, a magnetic anti-pivot mechanism) may be used with any head assembly, and thus is not limited to multi-surface head assemblies. For example, the anti-pivot mechanisms described herein may be used with a head assembly having blades that only have a single face and pivot only about a single face. The anti-pivot mechanism described herein may also be used with the head assembly of any conventional shaving device that may have shaving blades disposed on only one face of a single-sided blade cartridge head assembly that pivot only about a single side containing the shaving blades. It should be further appreciated that any of the anti-pivot mechanisms described herein (e.g., without limitation, magnetic anti-pivot mechanisms) may provide additional benefits, particularly in that the predefined degree of rotation is greatly increased as compared to conventional single-sided shaving razors, thereby providing a more contoured shave to the user.

Any of the embodiments described herein may include a head assembly 20, the head assembly 20 being rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the handle 60. For example, a user may select a new face by simply rotating the head assembly 20 in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle 60.

Shaving blades according to one or more embodiments described herein may have a number of benefits and/or advantages. For example, a shaving razor according to at least one embodiment may have a more environmentally friendly design because certain components of the two-sided and three-sided cartridge system may use less material during the manufacturing process than any two or three standard single-sided cartridge and their packaging is assembled separately, such as, but not limited to, the connecting hub, support arm, and cartridge housing and packaging.

Additionally or alternatively, current packages containing four or five standard single-sided cartridges need only be slightly modified to be able to accommodate the same number of shaving blades in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Essentially enabling manufacturers to transport equivalent to 8 to 10 standard individual cartridges in slightly modified receptacles that previously could only hold 4 or 5 standard individual cartridges. This may facilitate a more environmentally friendly design in that the number of receptacles required to transport the cartridge is significantly reduced and substantially halved in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

According to another embodiment, a cartridge having a pivot point located at or about the center of the cartridge head assembly is advantageous to a user. For example, such a design allows and maximizes the amount of "surface area blade contact" with the skin. Particularly in contoured areas of complex topography such as the head, neck and chin, body anatomy of torso parts (including genitals), and legs. Locating the pivot point at the bottom of the cartridge may be less advantageous than the pivot points described herein because when the biasing bar "bottoms out" the bottom of the cartridge naturally comes off the surface of the skin and the shaving blade is pulled in the area being shaved. This results in missed hairs and causes the user to make additional shaving strokes, a major contributory factor to a common condition known by consumers as "razor blade damage". This occurs because after the biasing lever bottoms out, the user continues to apply rotation to the cartridge by lifting the handle upward while making a shaving stroke downward, and vice versa. This in turn continues to rotate the blade cartridge, lifting it from the skin, as previously described, resulting in missed hairs and forcing the user to make an additional shaving stroke. At least one embodiment of the cartridge described herein solves this problem because coupling a pivot point located at the center of the cartridge head assembly with the anti-pivot mechanism allows the cartridge to advance along the exact contour of the skin. This increases the contact surface area of the blade with the area being shaved and results in less hair being missed.

According to yet another embodiment, a shaving razor having a two-or three-sided rotating blade cartridge as described herein has significant advantages to both consumers and manufacturers. This design solves both important issues for environmentally sensitive and cost-conscious consumers and manufacturers. The recent consumer reports published by the EPA show that in the united states alone, over two billion replaceable shaving razor cartridges are discarded annually. As described herein, one or more embodiments of the present disclosure address both the economic advantages of the manufacturer and the above-mentioned significant environmental issues, because, as previously mentioned, certain components of the dual blade holder system may utilize less material during the manufacturing process than two standard individual blade holders assembled separately. For example, during manufacture, the arm, connecting hub, and blade holder head assembly may all use less material than a standard single blade holder assembled separately. Thus, it is reasonable to assume that the use of certain embodiments of the double or three sided cartridge systems described in the specification (including the receptacles in which the cartridges are packaged and transported) may use less material during manufacture than two standard single cartridges and their respective receptacles, may be more economical to manufacture, and may subsequently be more environmentally friendly. One important reason for this is because the reduction in manufacturing and packaging materials results in a reduction in the number of cartridge receptacles required for shipping. This reduces the frequency of transportation demands for distribution purposes, reduces the amount of fuel burned and released into the atmosphere, and generally reduces both greenhouse gas emissions and unnecessary environmental waste.

As can be appreciated, it is becoming increasingly popular to shave various portions of the human anatomy, and there are many shaving devices to facilitate this. It will be appreciated that having multiple shaving devices is expensive and cumbersome. At least one embodiment of the present disclosure features cartridges having different blade configurations depending on which cartridge is selected by the user, thereby giving the user different advantages of requiring only one device (where multiple devices were previously required) to perform multiple shaving tasks.

For example, a "standard" dual blade holder configuration may be characterized by each blade holder side having a "3&3" blade arrangement with the six blades all facing the same cutting direction, separated in the center by a lubricating strip. Such a configuration is particularly useful for conventional shaving purposes.

The "body" blade dual blade holder combination configuration may be characterized by each blade holder side having a "3&3" blade arrangement with six blades separated in the center by a lubricating strip, but each side would be configured differently. On one side of the blade holder, two sets of three blades may be separated in the center by a lubricating strip and will be arranged in opposite cutting directions. This is a particularly useful blade arrangement for consumers who shave any other inconvenient areas of his head or body, as they can use a "back and forth" shaving stroke motion without having to lift the shaving blade from the area being shaved to begin a new stroke. Alternatively, on the second side of the cartridge, all of the blades may make a conventional shave in the same cutting direction. This cartridge configuration gives the user great flexibility as only one device is required to shave any portion of the anatomy.

Lubrication is an important component in the ever-ending pursuit to give the user a smoother, faster, more efficient and scratch-free shaving experience. Thus, at least one embodiment according to the present disclosure may feature a lubricating strip that is placed before the blades contact the skin and after the shaving stroke is completed. Conversely, it may be sufficient to place a lubricating strip at the top edge of the cartridge to lubricate the skin at the end of the shaving stroke; however, this arrangement does not provide lubrication during the motion of the shaving stroke. At least one embodiment according to the present disclosure addresses this critical issue by placing a lubricating strip in the center of the cartridge, thereby separating the blade configuration and further lubricating the skin during the shaving stroke. As a result, a smoother, faster and more efficient shaving stroke may be provided, resulting in an overall better shaving experience for the user.

Further, at least one embodiment according to the present disclosure may be characterized by a damping mechanism. Having the cushioning mechanism located within the arms (and optionally at the end of each arm where the cushioning mechanism is attached to the connecting hub assembly) gives the design the significant advantage of independently cushioning each end of the cartridge, thereby providing a greater range of motion for the cartridge and facilitating a closer and more contoured shaving experience.

At least one embodiment of the present disclosure may feature an extendable/telescopic handle having an articulating neck and a detachable head assembly. This arrangement may allow a user to position the cartridge at right angles to the handle and to rotate the position of the cartridge head so that it is aligned generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle. This cartridge position is particularly useful when shaving is difficult or difficult to reach areas of the user's body such as the head, back and legs.

According to one aspect, the present disclosure may feature a shaving device including a head assembly. The head assembly may include a support member configured to be detachably coupled to the handle and a cartridge having a first face and a second face, wherein at least one of the first face or the second face includes at least one shaving blade. The cartridge may be configured to be rotatably coupled to the support member about a pivot axis PA such that the cartridge may be pivoted by a user to select one of the first face or the second face.

According to another aspect, the present disclosure may feature a shaving device including a handle and a head assembly. The head assembly may include a support member and a cartridge. The support member may be configured to be detachably coupled to the handle and include first and second support arms including first and second pivot receptacles. The cartridge may include a first face and a second face, wherein at least one of the first face or the second face includes at least one shaving blade extending generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge. The cartridge may also include first and second pivot pins extending outwardly from opposite lateral sides of the cartridge along a pivot axis PA of the cartridge. The pivot axis PA may extend substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge, and the first and second pivot pins may be configured to be rotatably coupled to the first and second pivot receptacles, respectively, such that the cartridge may pivot about the pivot axis PA to select a first or second initial starting position corresponding to the first or second face, respectively.

The shaving device may optionally include an anti-pivot mechanism configured to allow a user to rotate the cartridge about the pivot axis PA to select one of a first face position or a second face position corresponding to the first face and the second face, respectively, of the cartridge. The anti-pivot mechanism may be configured to allow the cartridge to rotate within a predetermined range of rotation at a selected face position. The degree to which the cartridge is rotatable about the pivot axis PA relative to the initial starting position may depend on the intended use. For example, the cartridge may be rotated about the pivot axis PA in a range of about 5 degrees to about 90 degrees and any range therebetween relative to the initial starting position. According to another embodiment, the cartridge is rotatable about the pivot axis PA in a range of about 5 degrees to 60 degrees and any range therebetween relative to the initial starting position. For example, the cartridge may rotate about the pivot axis PA in a range of about 5 degrees to 45 degrees relative to the initial starting position. According to yet another embodiment, the cartridge may be rotatable about the pivot axis PA in a range of about 5 degrees to about 25 degrees and any range therebetween relative to the initial starting position. According to yet another embodiment, the cartridge is rotatable about the pivot axis PA in a range of about 5 degrees to about 15 degrees and any range therebetween relative to the initial starting position.

According to another aspect, the disclosure may feature a method including rotating a cartridge coupled to a support member about a pivot axis PA to select one of a plurality of faces of the cartridge, wherein at least one of the plurality of faces includes at least one shaving blade.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it should be understood that various alterations, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the disclosure should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily to include the broadest scope of the invention that the applicant claims, or may claim the only form of the invention or all features described are necessary.

Claims

1. A shaving device comprising:

a head assembly comprising:

a support member including a first magnet configured to generate a repulsive magnetic force with a second magnet of a handle to urge the head assembly toward the handle; and

A cartridge configured to be pivotably coupled to the support member about a pivot axis, the cartridge having a first face and a second face, wherein at least one of the first face or the second face comprises at least one shaving blade;

wherein the first magnet comprises one of a ring magnet or a central magnet and the second magnet comprises the other of the ring magnet and the central magnet, the ring magnet defining a central region configured to at least partially receive the central magnet.

2. The shaving device of claim 1, wherein the first magnet comprises the ring magnet and the second magnet comprises the center magnet.

3. The shaving device of claim 2, wherein the annular magnet comprises a plurality of magnets arranged in a generally annular configuration.

4. The shaving device of claim 2, wherein the ring magnet comprises one or more magnets configured to generate a magnetic field having magnetic field lines forming a substantially toroidal pattern.

5. The shaving device of claim 1, wherein the first magnet comprises the central magnet and the second magnet comprises the annular magnet.

6. The shaving device of claim 1, wherein one or more magnets are configured to be disposed at one or more of the cartridge and/or the support member, the one or more magnets configured to generate a magnetic biasing force to urge the cartridge toward an initial starting position.

7. The shaving device of claim 4, wherein the support member comprises a yoke having two arms and a base disposed between the two arms, the at least one magnet configured to be disposed substantially at the base of the support member.

8. The shaving device of claim 1, wherein:

the ring magnet has opposing first and second surfaces, the first surface of the ring magnet having one of a positive polarity or a negative polarity, the second surface of the ring magnet having the other of the positive polarity or the negative polarity;

the central magnet has opposing first and second surfaces, the first surface of the central magnet having one of a positive polarity or a negative polarity, the second surface of the central magnet having the other of the positive polarity or the negative polarity;

Wherein, when the support member is coupled to the handle, the central magnet is at least partially received within a central region of the ring magnet such that the first surface of the ring magnet is disposed closer to the first surface of the central magnet than the second surface of the ring magnet, and the polarity of the first surface of the ring magnet is opposite to the polarity of the first surface of the central magnet; and is

Wherein the second surface of the ring magnet is disposed closer to the second surface of the central magnet than the first surface of the ring magnet before the central magnet advances into the central region of the ring magnet, and the polarity of the second surface of the ring magnet is opposite to the polarity of the second surface of the central magnet.

9. The shaving device of claim 8, wherein when the support member is coupled to the handle, the central magnet is partially received within the central region of the annular magnet such that the first surface of the central magnet is disposed closer to the first surface of the annular magnet than the second surface of the central magnet, and the first surface of the central magnet does not pass through a plane extending through the first surface of the annular magnet.

10. The shaving device of claim 8, wherein the handle comprises the central magnet and the support member comprises the annular magnet.

11. The shaving device of claim 8, wherein the handle comprises the annular magnet and the support member comprises the central magnet.

12. The shaving device of claim 8, wherein the handle includes a handle protrusion extending outwardly from the handle, the handle protrusion including the central magnet, and wherein the head assembly includes a head assembly chamber extending through the central region of the annular magnet and configured to receive the handle protrusion and the central magnet.

13. The shaving device of claim 8 further comprising the handle.