DE29707566U1 - Shaver with reflector - Google Patents

Description

PALGEN ₅ SCHUMACHERaKLUIN

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PATENT ATTORNEYS '* - -

OUR SIGN: 96 454 K/at Düsseldorf, 29 April 1997

Carmen Loeer

and

Klaus Iwan Am Sportplatz 3a 42799 Leichlingen

Shaver with reflector

The invention relates to a razor according to the preamble of claim 1 and also includes a lighting unit suitable for a razor according to the invention as well as a lighting unit for retrofitting known razors.

Shavers are available in a vast number of different designs and can be differentiated based on the shaving systems used or the type of power supply available. The latter can be divided into mains, battery or rechargeable battery operation. When it comes to shaving systems, a distinction is made between linear shaving heads, in which the so-called blade block is usually moved back and forth using an oscillating armature drive, and centric shaving heads, in which a blade is driven in rotation using an electric motor.

D-40239 DÜSSELDORF MULVANYSTRASSE 2 TELEPHONE 49 / 211 / 96 145 - 0 ITXEFAX 49 / 211 / 96 145 - 20 D-45133 ESSEN FRÜHIJNGSTRASSE 43 &Lgr; TELEPHONE 49 / 201 / 84 230 - 0 TELEPHONE 49 /201/84 230 - 20

POSTBANK COLOGNE (bank code 370 100 50) 115 211 - 504

Almost all electric shavers also have a so-called long-hair trimmer as an additional functional part, which can be used to trim a beard or hairline, for example. The long-hair trimmer can be pushed out or folded out on one of the wider sides of the electric shaver and usually consists of two comb-like rows of cutting teeth that move relative to one another.

The functional applications and external appearance of electric shavers appear to have remained virtually unchanged for decades, as the innovations and developments made are primarily aimed at improving the shaving effect, handling, reducing energy consumption and adapting to higher safety standards.

In order to achieve a good, even shaving result with the known razors - regardless of whether they have linear or centric shaving heads - it is necessary to be able to observe the areas of skin to be shaved in front of a mirror during the shave, which is only possible in a satisfactory way if the lighting conditions allow it. However, this is often not the case, since neither sufficient daylight nor a light source provided on the mirror can illuminate the areas of skin to be shaved. In addition to the light source often not being strong enough, a problem arises in particular from the fact that the light source is often located above a wall mirror, so that the chin and neck areas in particular are in the shadow of the lower jaw area and are therefore difficult to see. The result is often an unsatisfactory shaving result in these areas, which has so far only been possible by laboriously turning the head and overstretching the neck backwards, which increases the risk of

of strains or, in the worst case, even cervical spine injuries can be improved.

The invention is based on the object of remedying this situation and thus expanding the area of application of a conventional razor without having to forego the compact design and handling of conventional razors.

This object is solved by the invention set out in claim 1.

Because the shaving apparatus according to the invention has means on its housing for illuminating at least part of the skin areas to be shaved, the turning of the head that was previously necessary to adequately illuminate the chin and neck area is no longer necessary. A thorough shave is possible even under poor external lighting conditions.

In a first embodiment of the shaver according to the invention according to claim 2, the means for illuminating can comprise a reflector. This particularly inexpensive design of the shaver according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in front of wall mirrors, where the light source is mounted relatively high up. If the shaver is guided over the head and chin area so that the reflector is aligned at an angle to the area of skin to be shaved, part of the light falling obliquely from above is reflected onto the area of skin to be shaved.

A particularly uniform illumination of the skin areas to be shaved, regardless of the exact alignment of the shaver, is ensured if the reflector is convex in accordance with claim 3.

In a second embodiment, which is somewhat more complex to manufacture but is often required due to insufficient light sources provided on the mirror, the means for illumination comprise a light source in addition to or instead of the reflector. A razor equipped in this way is particularly suitable for use when travelling, as the lighting conditions in small washrooms, for example in means of transport such as trains, planes, coaches and also in some hotels or when camping, are insufficient for a thorough shave.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the shaver according to claim 5, the lighting means are arranged to be pivotable at least about an axis running approximately parallel to the top or bottom of the housing. This measure allows the lighting means to be aligned to the area of skin to be shaved. Individually different handling and alignment of the shaver during shaving can be compensated for by pivoting the lighting means accordingly.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the shaving apparatus has a light source that can optionally be covered by a reflector. If the lighting conditions allow it, the areas of skin to be shaved are sufficiently illuminated by the reflector. Otherwise, by moving the reflector, which can be done for example by pivoting or sliding it, the light source can be released, which is then preferably automatically activated according to claim 7.

Preferably, the reflector according to claim 8 is pivotable in such a way that it directs at least part of the light emitted by the light source onto the skin to be shaved.

part. This measure can easily increase the light output.

The area of application of the electric shaver according to the invention is further expanded if, according to claim 9, an additional connecting cable is provided of a length that allows the shaver to be used as a hand lamp even at a greater distance from the power connection. It can thus also be used as a "mini cable lamp" after the built-in lamp has been switched on in order to more easily find objects in dark places (in a suitcase, in a bag, under a hotel bed, in the corners of drawers and cupboards).

The invention also includes a lighting unit for a shaving apparatus according to the invention, which is preferably designed such that it can be attached to a conventional shaving apparatus.

Further advantages and embodiments will become apparent from the following description with reference to the drawing. The drawing primarily serves to illustrate the inventive concept. Numerous variations in the design of the individual components are possible without deviating from the inventive concept.

In the drawing show:

Fig. 1 a razor with a linear shaving head, which is equipped with a reflector, in a

Top view (view A in Fig. 2);

Fig. 2 the same shaver in a side view

(View B in Fig. 1);
35

Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of a shaving apparatus according to the invention in a representation corresponding to Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of a razor according to the invention in a representation corresponding to Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 an electric shaver with a centric shaving head, which is provided with a lighting unit,

in a side view;

Fig. 6 - schematic - the lighting conditions in front of a standard bathroom mirror with regard to a person standing in front of the mirror

se;

Fig. 7 - schematically - the operation of a shaving apparatus according to the invention based on a person shaving in front of this mirror and

Fig. 8 the detail C in Fig. 7 in an enlarged view

Fig. 1 shows an electric shaver 50 with a linear shaving head. This has a housing 1, which has an exposed section on the head side 7 for receiving the shaving head 2. The shaving head 2 has at least one shaving blade 4 that is moved back and forth by means of a drive motor (not shown in the drawing), which is also referred to as a blade head in such electric shavers. In order to be able to move the shaving head over the skin for shaving without damaging it due to the action of the shaving blade on beard hairs or stubble, an extremely thin, refined film 5 with a hole pattern designed for the shaving system is placed over the head area.

of the electric shaver 50. During shaving, the hairs that pass through the thin holes in the foil are cut off by the shaving blade behind it.
5

The electric shaver can also have a so-called long-hair cutter 6, which can be pushed out or folded out in the longitudinal direction of the housing 1, i.e. towards the head end 7 of the electric shaver 50. To cut the hair, the long-hair cutter has two combs 7A, 7B arranged one behind the other and provided with rows of cutting teeth, which can be moved relative to one another by means of the drive motor or a separate drive.

The power supply for the drive motors is provided either via a mains connection not shown in the drawing, or via energy sources housed in the housing, such as rechargeable batteries or batteries.

In contrast to known electric shavers, the electric shaver 50 additionally has means for illuminating 10 at least part of the skin areas to be shaved. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the means for illuminating are designed as a convexly curved reflector 11 arranged below the long-hair trimmer 6, which is pivotably mounted about an axis 12 running parallel to the long-hair trimmer 6 towards the shaving head 2 - as can be seen in particular from Fig. 2. A handle 13 arranged on the side opposite the axis 12 serves to actuate, in particular to pivot, the reflector 11. The pivoting mounting of the reflector 11 is designed in such a way that the reflector remains in its respective position without the introduction of external forces. During the shaving process, the reflector can therefore be in

a position that provides optimal illumination of the areas of skin to be shaved.

Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of a shaving apparatus according to the invention. Components with the same function are identified by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1, but with a '. In this embodiment, the means for illuminating 10' have a reflector 11' which is divided into two halves 11'A, 11'B in a direction parallel to the axis 12'. As the double arrow marked P and the dashed lines 14', 14'' running parallel to the dividing line 14 are intended to illustrate, the two reflector halves ll'A and ll'B can be moved away from each other into free spaces provided for this purpose in the housing 1, which are not visible in the drawing, in order to release a light source 16 - in Fig. 3 a light bulb - which is preferably activated automatically when the two reflector halves ll'A, ll'B are in their end position.

Preferably, in this embodiment, the entire reflector lamp unit is arranged so as to be pivotable about the axis 12'. However, this requires that the halves 11'A, 11'B can be completely displaced into the housing 1.

In a further embodiment of the shaver 50'' according to the invention shown in Fig. 4, a light source 16'' arranged in the housing 1'' - again designed as an incandescent lamp - is covered by a one-piece reflector H'' which can be optionally moved into the position shown in dashed lines in Fig. 4, located behind the light source 16'', as indicated by the double arrow Q. The convex side of the reflector facing the light source 16''

In this embodiment, 11'' serves to increase the amount of light emitted outwards by the light source 16'' when the external lighting conditions make its activation necessary.
5

Fig. 5 shows an electric shaver 100 with central shaving heads 102. To cut the beard hair and stubble, shaving blades 104 rotate on the inner surface of specially shaped foils 105, which are provided with dot or line grid-shaped openings. The shaving heads 102 are not arranged on the head of the housing 101, but on the side of a projection of the housing 101. In the shavers 100 with central shaving heads 102, the shaving blades are driven by a motor not shown in the drawing, which can also be used to drive a long-hair trimmer 106 arranged on the head side 107 of the shaving apparatus 100.

Below the projection of the housing 101 that supports the shaving heads 102, means for lighting 110 are provided on the side of the housing that runs parallel to the shaving heads. These include a light source 116 designed as a light bulb, a reflector 115 located behind it and a preferably matt diffuser 117. The entire self-contained unit, housed in a housing space 118, is pivotably mounted about an axis 112 on its side facing the projection of the housing 101. The mounting is again designed in such a way that the lighting unit remains in its respective position. A handle 113 arranged on the side opposite the axis 112 serves to simplify handling.

In addition to the means for lighting shown in Fig. 5 in connection with the electric shaver 100, of course, other configurations of the lighting

lighting means may be provided, for example those as described with reference to Fig. 1 to 4. Conversely, it is of course also possible to use the lighting means shown in Fig. 5 with razors with a linear shaving head.

It is also within the scope of the invention to design a lighting unit, which can be designed in one of the ways described, for example, as a separate component, with which conventional razors can then be supplemented.

Fig. 6 schematically shows the head area of a person 20 who is standing in front of a typical bathroom mirror 21. A light source 22 is arranged above the mirror 21. It is clearly visible that when the person 20 has a comfortable head position, large parts of the chin and neck area 23 are not illuminated by the light source 22.

Fig. 7 shows how a shaving apparatus according to the invention, which is shown only schematically in Fig. 7 and designated 150, can remedy this situation. Instead of the shaving apparatus with reflector shown here, this can of course also include its own light source.

The exact functioning of a shaving apparatus 150 according to the invention can be seen from Fig. 8. Despite the comfortable position of the person's head, part of the light incident obliquely from above is reflected by the means for illuminating 10 of the shaving apparatus 150 onto the skin areas to be shaved, which are located under the chin in the illustration. According to the above, it is of course within the scope of the invention to illuminate the skin areas by means of an additional light provided on the shaver.

11

source or to use one instead of a pure reflector.

Claims (11)

PALGEN, SCHUMACHER & KLUIN ##":": :":: PATENT ATTORNEYS OUR SIGNATURE: 9 6 454 K/at D üsseldorf ,29 April 1997 Carmen Löer and Klaus Iwan Am Sportplatz 3a 42799 Leichlingen Protection claims 1. Shaving apparatus (50; 50';50'';100; 150) with a housing (1; 1';1''; 101) and a shaving head (2; 2';2"; 102) exposed at a portion of the housing for shaving skin areas,
characterized, that means for illuminating (10; 10'; 10''; 110) at least part of the skin areas to be shaved are provided on the housing. 2. Shaving apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for illuminating (10; 10';10''; 110) comprise a reflector (11; 11';11"; 111). 3. Shaving apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the reflector (11; 11';11"; 111) is convex. D-40239 DÜSSELDORF MULVANYSTRASSE 2 TELEPHONE 49 / 211 / 96 145 - 0 FAX 49 / 211 / 96 145 - 20 D-45133 ESSEN FRÜHLINGSTRASSE 43 A TELEPHONE 49 / 201 / 84 230 - 0 FAX 49 / 201 / 84 230 - 20 POSTBANK COLOGNE (bank code 370 100 50) 115 211 - 504 4. Shaving apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means for illumination (10; 10';10''; 110) comprise a light source (16';16''; 116). 5. Shaving apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the means for illuminating (10; 10';10''; 110) are arranged at least approximately parallel to the top or bottom of the housing (1; 1';1''; 111) extending axis (12; 12'; 12''; 112) are arranged pivotably. 6. Shaving apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the light source (16, 16';16''; 116) can optionally be covered by a reflector (11, H';H''; 111). 7. Shaving apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that means are provided by which the light source (16';16''; 116) is automatically activated when the reflector (H';H''; Hl) is in a position that exposes the light source to the area of skin to be shaved. 8. Shaving apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the reflector (11; 11';H''; 111) is pivotable such that it reflects at least part of the light emitted by the light source (16';16''; 116) onto the area of skin to be shaved. 9. Shaving apparatus according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that an additional connecting cable is provided with a length which allows the shaving apparatus to be used as a hand lamp even at a greater distance from the mains connection. ··· ill 10. Lighting unit for a shaving apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 9. 11. Lighting unit according to claim 10, characterized in that it can be subsequently attached to a conventional shaving apparatus.