GB2602510A

GB2602510A - Shaving Apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2602510A
Application number: GB2100109.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Phillips Leigh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-01-05
Filing date: 2021-01-05
Publication date: 2022-07-06
Also published as: WO2022148790A1; GB202100109D0

Abstract

Apparatus comprising two or more razor blade housings 102 linked together in series, with flexible handles 104 attached to the housings at either end. Preferably the razor blade housings are connected by means of hinged joints 106, which may have interlocking toothed parts 108.The razor blade housings may be flexible and may be configured to expose both blades of a double-sided razor blade attached thereto. Preferably the flexible handles are steel ball chains or strings.

Description

Title: Shaving Apparatus Field of Invention.

The present invention relates generally to the field of shaving accessories. More specifically, the present invention relates to a shaving apparatus designed to facilitate the removal of back hair by a user.

Background

Male grooming has become increasingly important in the modern era, with body hair on men considered undesirable by many, especially back hair. This causes issues for many men, as it is difficult for an individual to groom his own back with standard shaving accessories. Thus, until recently, it was often necessary to involve a second person for back hair removal, either paying someone for their services or asking a friend, relative or partner. These experiences can be embarrassing and professional services are expensive to maintain regularly.

In recent years, some shaving devices have been introduced which allow an individual to shave their own back. While an improvement, these devices are not without their own issues. Most of these devices are designed as razors attached to long rigid handles to provide the reach needed, however using such designs is uncomfortable, inefficient, and can put strain on a user's shoulders.

It is within this context that the present invention is provided. Summary The present disclosure provides a shaving apparatus that facilitates comfortable, efficient, and safe removal of back hair. The disclosed apparatus is designed as a chain of linked razor blade housings having flexible handles attached to either end of the chain. The design enables a user to apply the shaver to areas of the back by gripping the opposing handles in front of them as opposed to reaching behind, as well as facilitating the positioning of the razor blades at an optimum angle for achieving a close shave since the chain of linked razor blade housings naturally adapts to the contours of a user's back as the chain is slid along the skin.

Thus, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a shaving apparatus, the shaving apparatus comprising two or more razor blade housings linked together to form a chain of razor blade housings, each razor blade housing comprising at least one planar portion having an opening configured to receive a fixing element such that a fixing element may be threaded through each opening to affix a razor blade against the planar portion; wherein the razor blade housings at opposing ends of the chain of razor blade housings each have affixed thereto a flexible handle.

In one embodiment, each razor blade housing is affixed to at least one adjacent razor blade housing by a hinged joint. Each hinged joint may comprise interlocking toothed portions of the connected razor blade housings.

In another embodiment, each razor blade housing is at least partially flexible, and is attached to at least one adjacent razor blade housing by having a planar portion overlapping a planar portion of the adjacent razor blade housing such that a fixing element threaded through the opening rigidly connected the two planar portions together, simultaneously affixing a razor blade therebetween.

In some embodiments, each razor blade housing is double-sided, being configured to expose a both blades of a double-sided razor blade affixed thereto.

In further embodiments, the flexible handle attached to each end of the chain of razor blade housings is a steel ball chain or string.

In yet further embodiments, in a fully extended position the chain of razor blade housings has each planar portion oriented at an angle ranging 15 to 45 degrees to an axis running parallel to the length of the chain.

Finally, in some embodiments, each razor blade housing comprises two planar portions configured to have razor blades affixed thereto, each planar portion of each housing being angled to have the exposed blades of razors affixed thereto pointed in opposing directions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

FIG.1 illustrates a perspective view from above of an example configuration of a first embodiment of a shaving apparatus according to the present disclosure in an extended position.

FIG.2 illustrates a second perspective view from below of the example configuration of the first embodiment of the shaving apparatus according to the present disclosure in an extended position.

FIG.3 illustrates a close-up view of the interlocking toothed hinges connecting the chain of razor blade housings in the first embodiment of the shaving apparatus according to the present disclosure.

FIG.4 illustrates a perspective view of the example configuration of the first embodiment in a partially folded position.

FIG.S illustrates a perspective view of the example configuration of the first embodiment in a fully folded position.

FIG.6 illustrates a perspective view of an example configuration of a second embodiment of a shaver apparatus according to the present disclosure, wherein each razor blade housing is double-sided to facilitate the protrusion of both blades of a razor affixed thereto.

FIG.7 illustrates a perspective view of an example configuration of a third embodiment of the shaver apparatus according to the present disclosure, wherein each razor blade housing is formed of a thinner, flexible material to facilitate deformation of the chain, as opposed to linking the housings by hinged joints.

FIG.8 illustrates a perspective view of a single razor blade housing for use in the third embodiment of FIG.7.

Common reference numerals are used throughout the figures and the detailed description to indicate like elements. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that the above figures are examples and that other architectures, modes of operation, orders of operation, and elements/functions can be provided and implemented without departing from the characteristics and features of the invention, as set forth in the claims.

Detailed Description and Preferred Embodiment :3

The following is a detailed description of exemplary embodiments to illustrate the principles of the invention. The embodiments are provided to illustrate aspects of the invention, but the invention is not limited to any embodiment. The scope of the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalent; it is limited only by the claims.

Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the invention is not unnecessarily obscured.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Referring to FIG.1, a perspective view from above is shown of an example configuration of a first embodiment of a shaving apparatus 100 according to the present disclosure in an extended position.

The shaving apparatus 100 of the present example comprises four razor blade housings 102 linked together in a chain, with flexible handles 104 in the form of steel ball chains attached to the opposing ends of the chain to allow a user to hold the apparatus.

The design of the shaving apparatus 100 facilitates the removal of back hair by a user, letting them hold the opposing handles in front of them in either hand with the chain of razor blade housings looped over them and pressed against the skin of their back. The user can the slide the shaving apparatus 100 back and forth across the area of their back by alternately pulling the opposing handles to remove unwanted hair, similar to the motion one might use to dry one's back with a towel. The chain of housings of the present example are rigid but are connected together by hinge joints 106 having interlocking toothed sections 108, this advantageously allows the chain to adapt to the contours and curves of a user's back to achieve a close shave.

The illustrated design holds two razor blades in each housing, the razor blades of each housing pointing in opposing direction at approximately 45 degree angles to the surface on which the chain is resting. The angle can range 15 -45 degrees in various embodiments. This is achieved by having an inner element 110 and an outer element 112 for each housing which are formed in V-shapes, with two flat portions forming the walls of the V and an opening in the centre of each flat portion through which a fixing element such as a threaded screw can pass, attaching the inner element 110 to the outer element 112 and sandwiching a razor blade such as a safety razor therebetween. This design has the advantage that sliding the chain in either direction along a surface will remove hair, increasing the efficiency of motion in terms of shaving.

Furthermore, hairs that might be missed by a razor blade held in the first housing to slide over an area of skin can be picked up by the second, third, or fourth blade facing in that direction due to the housings 102 in the chain being arranged in a parallel linear fashion. This efficiency of shaving is further added to by the toothed sections 108 that rest in front of the blade edge of each razor, and which act to lift hairs away from the skin such that the blade of the razor can cut them. Furthermore, the teeth prevent the blade from cutting deeply as the teeth extend either slightly beyond the edge of the blade or ever so slightly behind the blade preventing or substantially limiting the chance of the person cutting themselves.

While four housings 102 are used in the present example it will be recognised that more or less housings could be used. Furthermore, while a steel ball chain such as that in the illustrated example is beneficial in terms of hygiene, it will be recognised that other materials and designs could be used for the handle.

Referring to FIG.2, a second perspective view is shown from below of the example configuration of the first embodiment of the shaving apparatus 100 according to the present disclosure.

As can be seen, the bottom side of the illustrated configuration is a series of interlocking toothed sections 108. The blades of razors held between the inner components 110 and outer components 112 will extend from between these toothed sections.

Referring to FIG.3, a close-up view shows the interlocking toothed sections 108 and hinges 106 connecting the chain of razor blade housings in more detail.

The planar/flat portions 302 of both the inner sections 110 and outer sections 112 of the housings 102 are also more clearly visible, with threaded openings 304 shown for receiving fixing elements such as screws.

The highlighted gaps 306 are where the razor blades will be affixed, with their blades extending partially but not fully through the toothed sections 108 to allow for a close shave without compromising the safety of the device.

Referring to FIGs.4 and 5, it can be seen that the V-shaped design of the razor blade housings 102 of the first embodiment in combination with the hinged connections 106 between the razor blade housings allow the chain of housings to be conveniently folded into a compact shape when exactly four V-shaped housings are used in the chain. Such embodiments of the shaving apparatus 100 may also be provided with locking mechanisms such as the illustrated indents 402 and protrusions 404 at the ends of the chain for maintaining the folded shape when desired.

FIGs. 1-5 thus all relate to a first embodiment of the shaving apparatus of the present disclosure, however the skilled person will understand that the first embodiment is merely an illustrative example, and that alternative implementations are possible.

Referring to FIG.6, a perspective view of an example configuration of a second embodiment of a shaver apparatus 600 according to the present disclosure is shown, wherein each razor blade housing 602 is double-sided to facilitate the protrusion of both blades of a razor affixed thereto.

In the example of FIG.6, the razor blade housings 602 are similar in design to those of the first embodiment in that the housings are connected by hinged joints 606 and have interlocking toothed sections 608 from which the blades of the shaver protrude.

However, the design differs in that the point of the "V" shape form the first embodiment is replaced with second sets of interlocking toothed sections 614 so that a double-edged razor sandwiched between the flat portions of the housing elements have both blade edges exposed, allowing the chain of housings 602 to flipped over and provide hair removal via either side of the chain. This reduces the frequency with which razors need to be adjusted as there are two sets of blade edges exposed.

Referring to FIG.7, a perspective view of an example configuration of a third embodiment of the shaver apparatus 700 is shown, wherein each housing is affixed to adjacent housings by a screw attachment, and wherein the chain of housings deforms to the contours of the user's body by having each razor blade housing being formed of a thinner, flexible material, as opposed to linking the housings by hinged joints. The design still comprises toothed sections through which razor blades extend and flat portions 716 with openings 718 for sandwiching the razor blades between.

Similarly to the second embodiment, the third embodiment lends itself to having both sides for a double sided razor blade such as a safety razor exposed, and for the chain to be flipped around and remove hair using both sides.

Referring to FIGS, an example design of a razor blade housing 702 suitable for use with the third embodiment is shown in isolation.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

The disclosed embodiments are illustrative, not restrictive. While specific configurations of the shaver apparatus have been described in a specific manner referring to the illustrated embodiments, it is understood that the present invention can be applied to a wide variety of solutions which fit within the scope and spirit of the claims. There are many alternative ways of implementing the invention.

It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is: 1. A shaving apparatus, the shaving apparatus comprising two or more razor blade housings linked together to form a chain of razor blade housings, each razor blade housing comprising at least one planar portion having an opening configured to receive a fixing element such that a fixing element may be threaded through each opening to affix a razor blade against the planar portion; wherein the razor blade housings at opposing ends of the chain of razor blade housings each have affixed thereto a flexible handle.
2. A shaving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each razor blade housing is affixed to at least one adjacent razor blade housing by a hinged joint.
3. A shaving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each hinged joint comprises interlocking toothed portions of the connected razor blade housings.
4. A shaving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each razor blade housing is at least partially flexible, and is attached to at least one adjacent razor blade housing by having a planar portion overlapping a planar portion of the adjacent razor blade housing such that a fixing element threaded through the opening rigidly connected the two planar portions together, simultaneously affixing a razor blade therebetween.
5. A shaving apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each razor blade housing is double-sided, being configured to expose a both blades of a double-sided razor blade affixed thereto.
6. A shaving apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the flexible handle attached to each end of the chain of razor blade housings is a steel ball chain or string.
7. A shaving apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein in a fully extended position the chain of razor blade housings has each planar portion oriented at an angle ranging 1545 degrees relative to an axis running parallel to the length of the chain.
8. A shaving apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each razor blade housing comprises two planar portions configured to have razor blades affixed thereto, each planar portion of each housing being angled to have the exposed blades of razors affixed thereto pointed in opposing directions.