NZ206087A - Double edged razor assembly with sliding protective blade cover - Google Patents

Description

Priority 6ate(s) Complete Specification Filed: T..T Class: Publication Date: P.O. Journal, No: .. © „ ■ ' - *.! o provisions- of Rcgo* !.*vi) c.'ie <C_ o \ry\-5"v^<c"TS Sp£ciilcr.:lon has been ante-dated to I9.&L.

NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 No.: Date: Api-il 1002 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION RAZORS AND SHAVING UNITS FOR RAZORS ?/We, WILKINSON SWORD LIMITED, a British company, of Sword House, Totteridge Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, ENGLAND, hereby declare the invention for which X / we pray that a patent may be granted to X&2£/us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: - - 1 - (Page -1- followed by page -la-) pCwing Ouardbar hr RAZORS AND SHAVING UNITS FOR RAZORS This invention relates to a razorvblade assembly, in 5 the form of a complete razor or a shaving unit for a razor. By 'shaving unit' is meant a blade assembly which can be mounted on or formed integrally with a handle or a razor frame to provide a complete razor. In particular the invention relates to a disposable 10 razor, that is to say one that is intended to be disposed of by the user when he considers that the razor is no longer giving an adequate shave. More particularly, the invention relates to the provision, in such a blade assembly, of means movable to expose 15 the cutting edge of the blade for shaving or to effect relative movement between the blade and another part of the assembly to a position in which the blade cannot harm anyone handling the blade assembly.

According to the present invention there is provided a razor blade assembly comprising a razor blade having a cutting edge, a top cap and a guard bar spaced from the adjacent edge of the top cap to form an opening therebetween, a blade support on which the blade is 25 fixed, the guard bar being fixed relative to the blade support, side members disposed along opposite sides of the blade and an operating member in engagement with the top cap and arranged to swing relative to the side members about an axis which is parallel to said cutting edge of the blade to effect relative movement between 5 the blade and the top cap between a shaving position in which the blade edge is exposed in said opening for shaving and a non-shaving position in which the blade edge is not exposed.

The invention will now be particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a section through a double edge form of 15 razor in accordance with the invention showing one blade edge in a shaving position; Figure 2 is a view corresponding to that of Figure 1 but showing both blade edges in a covered or safe 20 position; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the razor of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an underneath view, part in section, of the razor of Figure 1, and Figure 5 is an end elevation of the razor of Figure 1.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1-5 the razor contains a double-edged blade 313 and 5 comprises a handle 310 which is pivoted in a blade platform 312 on an axis parallel to the cutting edges of the double-edged blade 313 which is mounted on the platform 312. The blade is preferably secured to the platform by rivets (not shown). As an alternative to a 10 double-edged blade, two single oppositely-directed blades could be used. As a further alternative, twin blades could be employed. Guardbars 316 are secured to opposite sides of the platform 312.

A top cap 311 is slidably mounted on the platform 312 for movement in sliding engagement with the blade along a direction pependicular to the blade cutting edges. For this purpose the top cap is formed integrally with side walls 314, and under-flanges 315 which extend from 20 the bottom of the side walls and engage under the platform 312.

At a central position, the underside of the top cap is formed with a rack 319 whose teeth engage with the 25 teeth of a pinion 317 formed on the adjacent end of the pivotally mounted handle. The arrangement is such that 4 205 as the handle is moved pivotally relative to the platform, the top cap is caused to slide along the above-mentioned direction perpendicular to the blade edges.

It will be apparent from Figure 2 that, in the position shown in which the handle 310 is perpendicular to the blade platform 312, the top cap 311 is disposed symmetrically with respect to the blade edges and 10 covers each of these blade edges. This is the "safe" or "travel" position of the top cap.

If, however, the handle is swung clockwise through the position shown in Figure 1, the inter-engagement of the 15 pinion teeth with the rack teeth causes the top cap to move to the right as shown in Figure 1 to uncover the left hand blade edge until it is correctly exposed for shaving. Conversely, the handle can be swung in the anti-clockwise direction to cause the top cap to cover 20 the left hand blade edge and expose the right hand blade edge for shaving. In the positions in which one or other blade edge is fully exposed, an edge 318 on the platform will engage against the handle 310 to * provide a very positive end stop.

A suitable sprung detent (not shown) is provided on the top cap for engagement in any one of three recesses suitably placed on the blade platform for engagement with the sprung detent to locate the top cap relative to the blade platform in any selected one of the two 5 "snaving" positions and the "safe" position of the blade.

Although the invention has been described in relation to disposable razors, the novel features of the 10 invention reside primarily in the head of the razor and are therefore applicable to a shaving unit.

The expression 'pivotal movement' as used herein is intended to include all forms of rotational movement, 15 whether about a fixed axis or a moving axis. 8311:B:2JJK5

Claims (7)

" )/' /? Id*.;A l; o f*\ £3 - •' wy :w WBATT^WE CLAIM IS:

1. A razor blade assembly comprising a razor blade having a cutting edge, a top cap and a guard bar spaced 5 from the adjacent edge of the top cap to form an opening therebetween, a blade support on which the blade is fixed, the guard bar being fixed relative to the blade support, side members disposed along opposite sides of the blade and an operating member in 10 engagement with the top cap and arranged to swing relative to the side members about an axis which is parallel to said cutting edge of the blade to effect relative movement between the blade and the top cap between a shaving position in which the blade edge is 15 exposed in said opening for shaving and a non-shaving position in which the blade edge is not exposed.

2. A razor blade assembly according to claim 1 in which said blade is fixed relative to the side members 20 and the top cap is movable transversely of said axis by the swinging movement of said operating member.

3. A razor blade assembly according to claim 2 wherein the operating member is a pinion and engages a 25 rack formed on said top cap. 7 M06Q87

4. A razor blade assembly according to any preceding claim having a second cutting edge on the opposite side of said blade to the first mentioned blade-edge and a second guardbar both disposed > symmetrically on the 5 opposite side of the said axis to the first-mentioned blade edge and guardbar, the top cap covering both blade edges when in a central position relative to both blade edges and being movable in either direction relative to the blade edges to expose one or other 10 blade edge for shaving. 15

5. A razor blade assembly according to any preceding claim including a handle on which the operating member is mounted.

6. A razor blade assembly according to claim 5 in which the handle is rigidly secured to the operating member and detents are provided for locking the operating member in a shaving position or in 20 alternative shaving positions in which the blade is tilted relative to the handle, and in a 'non-shaving' position in which the blade is perpendicular to the handle. 25

7. A razor blade assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. WILKINSON SWORD LIMITED By His/Their authorised Agents-?-. A. J. PARK & SON Per