SE545427C2

SE545427C2 - Shaver Holder Extension

Info

Publication number: SE545427C2
Application number: SE2230314A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Jonathan Lindén
Original assignee: Linden Jonathan
Priority date: 2022-09-28
Filing date: 2022-09-28
Publication date: 2023-09-05
Also published as: SE2230314A1

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a device (100) for holding and extending the reach of various types and sizes of shaving apparatus. The device is comprised of an elongated handle (102) coupled to a universal clamping mechanism (106) by a rotatable joint (104). The universal clamping mechanism comprises a pair of gripping elements (108,110) which are adjustable in position with respect to one another and can be used to grip the handle of any type of shaver. The angle of the clamping mechanism with respect to the elongated handle, and thus the angle at which a shaving apparatus is held, can be adjusted at the user's leisure.

Description

Field of invention. id="p-1"

[001] The present invention relates generally to the field of shaving accessories. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device that can hold and extend the reach of a wide range of shaver shapes and sizes as well as adjusting and locking the angle at which said shaver is held.

Background id="p-2"

[002] Extension arms for allowing razor blades and shaving devices to reach and shave remote parts of the body are known in the art. The use of handle extensions for a variety of shaving devices have been developed to allow the user to ergonomically access areas that the original device was not designed for. For example, consumers commonly use extension arms for shaving various body parts such as their back and legs. id="p-3"

[003] However, such extension arms are limited with respect to the types of blade razors they are capable of supporting and also limited as to the type of shaving that may conveniently be accomplished. They often either only hold a specific type of shaver or have their own special shaver integrated, limiting versatility and forcing the consumer to buy additional shaving devices rather than simply using the ones they already own. id="p-4"

[004] Furthermore, while there are many devices in the prior art for extending the total reach of a shaver, there are none that allow for fine-tuning of the angle at which the shaver is held on the extension arm. This becomes a real problem when users are trying to access hard to reach areas of their back, and can lead to straining the user's wrist. id="p-5"

[005] lt is within this context that the present invention is provided.

Summary id="p-6"

[006] The present disclosure provides a device for holding and extending the reach of various types and sizes of shaving apparatus. The device is comprised of an elongated handle coupled to a universal clamping mechanism by a rotatable joint. The universal clamping mechanism comprises a pair of gripping elements which are adjustable in position with respect to one another and can be used to grip the handle of any type of shaver. The angle of the clamping mechanism with respect to the elongated handle, and thus the angle at which a shaving apparatus is held, can be adjusted at the user's leisure. id="p-7"

[007] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an extender device for holding a shaver, the device comprising: an elongated handle having a proximal end and a distal end; and a clamping mechanism coupled to the distal end of the elongated handle by a rotatable joint, the clamping mechanism comprising a first arm having affixed to it a first gripping element and a second arm having coupled to it a second gripping element, wherein the clamping mechanism is configured to adjust the distance between the first element and the second gripping element. id="p-8"

[008] ln some embodiments, the elongated handle comprises one or more sections coupled together by a hinged joint which are thereby foldable with respect to one another. ln some cases, the extender device may also further comprise a locking mechanism at the hinged joint and a control element for locking or unlocking the hinged joint. id="p-9"

[009] ln other embodiments, the elongated handle comprises one or more sections which are detachable from one another, or are are telescopic. id="p-10"

[010] ln some embodiments, the rotatable joint between the elongated handle and the clamping mechanisms allows for the angle of the clamping mechanism to be adjusted with respect to the elongated handle. The extender device may also further comprise a locking mechanism at the rotatable joint and a control element for locking or unlocking movement ofthe rotatable joint. id="p-11"

[011] The rotatable joint may also comprise a circular surface which is marked to indicate a measure of the relative angle between the elongated handle and the clamping mechanism. id="p-12"

[012] ln some embodiments, at least a portion of the first gripping element and the second gripping element that will be in contact with a held shaver is formed of a softer material than the frame of the clamping mechanism. id="p-13"

[013] ln some embodiments, the first gripping element and the second gripping element each comprise a ridged or high friction surface which are aligned with and facing one another. id="p-14"

[014] ln some embodiments, the second gripping element is coupled to a corkscrew mechanism which is coupled to but rotatable with respect to the second arm, rotation of the corkscrew mechanism in a first direction causing the second gripping element to move closer to the first gripping element and rotation in a second opposite direction causing the second gripping element to move away from the first gripping element.

Brief Description of the Drawings id="p-15"

[015] Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the following detailed description and accompa nying drawings. id="p-16"

[016] F|G.1 illustrates an isometric view of a clamping mechanism of a shaver extension arm according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. id="p-17"

[017] F|G.2 illustrates a perspective view of an entire shaver extension arm according to the present disclosure with an elongated arm in a folded position. id="p-18"

[018] F|G.3 illustrates a side view of the example embodiment with the elongated arm in an unfolded position. id="p-19"

[019] 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 id="p-20"

[020] 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. id="p-21"

[021] 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. id="p-22"

[022] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting ofthe invention. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any combinations of one or more ofthe 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. lt 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. id="p-23"

[023] Referring to F|G.1, an example configuration of the clamping mechanism of the disclosed extension device 100 is shown. id="p-24"

[024] The clamping mechanism is attached to the elongated arm 102 of the device by a hinged joint 104 that allows for rotation of the clamping mechanism with respect to the elongated arm 102, thus allowing for easy adjustment of the angle of a held shaver when the user is trying to access hard to reach areas such as the back. id="p-25"

[025] The clamping mechanism 106 of the present example comprises a forked frame 109 that divides into two arms, with a first gripping element 108 attached to one arm and a second gripping element 110 attached to the other. id="p-26"

[026] As can be seen, the gripping elements each have a ridged surface that is aligned with and faces the other gripping element. This ridged surface will provide a high friction, and is also curved in profile to wrap around a shaver handle. These gripping elements, or at least the ridged surfaces of them, can be made of a soft material to avoid damaging the shaver handle when it is held between them. id="p-27"

[027] ln the present example the second gripping element 110 is attached to a moveable plate 112 which in turn is attached to a corkscrew mechanism 116 and cover 114. The screw mechanism 116 is encased by and coupled to the frame 109 by cover 114, but can rotate with respect to it. id="p-28"

[028] The cover 114 and plate 112 are constrained so that they cannot rotate with respect to the frame 109, meaning that when the screw 116 is turned, the rotation is forced to be converted into longitudinal movement, bringing the second gripping element 110 closer to or further away from the first gripping element depending on the direction in which the screw 116 is turned. At the opposing end of the screw 116 is a handle 118 which a user rotates to turn the screw 116 and thus adjust the size of the gap between the two gripping elements. id="p-29"

[029] Since the distance between the gripping elements can be adjusted, and the gripping elements themselves are designed to accommodate a wide variety of shapes and sizes of shaver handle, this clamping mechanism is very versatile and can hold any number of types and designs of shaving device. id="p-30"

[030] The specific configuration described with respect to F|G.1 is merely an example of a suitable clamping mechanism. Other configurations which function using the same or similar principles could also be used. id="p-31"

[031] Turning to F|G.2, the elongated handle 102 of the device 100 is shown. id="p-32"

[032] As can be seen, in the present example the handle 102 is divided into a first portion 120 and a second portion 122 which are foldable with respect to one another. A rotatable hinge 124 couples the first portion 120 to the second portion 122, and this joint also integrates a locking mechanism with a push button 126 secured to the first portion 120 with a hook that interlocks with a corresponding groove on the second portion. The surfaces of the joint also have an interlocking protrusion 128 and indent 130 on the respect portions of the handle. id="p-33"

[033] This configuration allows the device to be securely fixed in an unfolded state for use when all the parts are interlocked, but also to be released and folded by actuating the button 126 when the device 100 is to be stored. Other suitable folding and locking handle mechanisms are known in the art and could equally well replace the one described herein. id="p-34"

[034] Also shown in F|G.3 is push button 103 that is disposed on the rotatable joint 104 between the elongated handle 102 and the clamping mechanism id="p-35"

[035] This pushbutton 103 is an actuator for another locking mechanism inside joint 104 that causes the angle of the handle 102 to become fixed with respect to clamping mechanism 106 until the button 103 is pushed again. Various such locking mechanisms suitable for this function are known in the art. This functionality allows a user to lock the device 100 at an exact angle with their shaving device held in a position such that they can reach specific hard to access areas without straining their wrists. id="p-36"

[036] Pushbutton 103 can also be replaced with any number of other control actuation mechanisms. id="p-37"

[037] F|G.3 shows the device in an unfolded position and ready for use with all the elements of the joint between the first portion 120 and second portion 122 ofthe handle 102 interlocked. id="p-38"

[038] 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. lt 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. id="p-39"

[039] The disclosed embodiments are illustrative, not restrictive. While specific configurations of the 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. id="p-40"

[040] lt 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

1.Claims What is claimed is: An extender device (100) for holding a shaver, the device comprising: an elongated handle (102) having a proximal end and a distal end; and a clamping mechanism (106) coupled to the distal end of the elongated handle (102) by a rotatable joint (104), the clamping mechanism comprising a first arm having affixed to it a first gripping element (108) and a second arm having coupled to it a second gripping element (110), wherein the clamping mechanism is configured to adjust the distance between the first element and the second gripping element. An extender device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the elongated handle (102) comprises one or more sections coupled together by a hinged joint which are thereby foldable with respect to one another. An extender device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the extender device further comprises a locking mechanism at the hinged joint and a control element for locking or unlocking the hinged joint. An extender device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the elongated handle comprises one or more sections which are detachable from one another. An extender device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the elongated handle comprises one or more sections which are telescopic. An extender device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the rotatable joint (104) between the elongated handle and the clamping mechanisms (106) allows for the angle of the clamping mechanism to be adjusted with respect to the elongated handle (102). An extender device (100) according to claim 6, wherein the extender device further comprises a locking mechanism at the rotatable joint (104) and a control element for locking or unlocking movement of the rotatable joint. An extender device (100) according to claim 6, wherein the rotatable joint comprises a circular surface which is marked to indicate a measure of the relative angle between the elongated handle (102) and the clamping mechanism (106). An extender device (100) according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first gripping element (108) and the second gripping element (110) that will be in contact with a held shaver is formed of a softer material than the frame of the clamping mechanism (106). An extender device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first gripping element (108) and the second gripping element (110) each comprise a ridged or high friction surface which are aligned with and facing one another. An extender device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the second gripping element (110) is coupled to a corkscrew mechanism (116) which is coupled to but rotatable with respect to the second arm, rotation of the corkscrew mechanism in a first direction causing the second gripping element to move closer to the first gripping element (108) and rotation in a second opposite direction causing the second gripping element (110) to move away from the first gripping element.