US1780549A

US1780549A - Safety-razor-blade holder

Info

Publication number: US1780549A
Application number: US361068A
Authority: US
Inventors: John W Ashworth
Original assignee: ASHWORTH ADVERTISING Co I
Current assignee: ASHWORTH ADVERTISING Co I; ASHWORTH ADVERTISING COMPANY Inc
Priority date: 1929-05-07
Filing date: 1929-05-07
Publication date: 1930-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 1947-11-04

Description

NOV. 4, 1930. J, w, s wo 1,780,549

SAFETY RAZOR BLADE HOLDER Filed May 7, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l [NVEN T OR.

O 1930. J. w. ASHWORTH 80,

SAFETY RAZOR BLADE HOLDER Filed May '7, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [N VEN T OR.

BY 147%NEQS. v

Patented Nov. 4, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE? JOHN w. ASI-IWORTH, on NEW YORK, N. Y, ASSIGNOR T AsHwoR'r ADVERTISING COMPANY, INCORPORATED, on NEW YORK, N. Y., 'A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK SAFETY-KAZOR-BLADE HOLDER.

Application filed May 7, 1929. S e ria1 No; 361,068.

' This invention relates to razor holders and is more particularly directed to a novel and eflicient holder adapted to rigidly support safety razor blades of variousmakes Sand styles in a' position to permit of their manual stropping upon an ordinary razor strop of the character generally employed for the stropping of the conventional straight razor. Various holders for safety razor blades have heretofore been suggested but they have almost,invariablybeen open to objections which have rendered their useunpopular. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a holder which will v meet the popular demand for a simple and efficient construction, economical to manufacture, and, thoroughly practical for the performance of its intended functions.

An important feature of this invention resides in the fact that its structure is so constituted as to render it capable of supporting practically every form of safety razor blade now in use. These various forms may generally be divided into three particular 5 classes: 1) the Gillette style of blade whlch is a double edged flexible blade; (2) the so-called Gem or Star type which isa relatively rigid blade; having a thickened rib or backing alongone edge thereof; the 'so-c'alled- Autostrop blade which dilfers from the other types in that it is a single edge blade without a backing rib and pro vided at its opposite ends with recesses by which it is clamped in place in the safety razor. No razor blade holder of which I am aware is capable of satisfactorily supporting all blades of these various kinds for sharpening; V

It has generally been the practice to provide difierent holders for different types of blades. This is an expensive procedure from the manufacturing standpoint and users do not desire to have a number of different forms of holders for different blades which they may use. 1

- Another important feature of this invention resides in the unusual simplicity of the structure. Its-major parts may be in the form of sheet metal 'stampings, there being relatively little handwork in the vfabrication of the structure; i I

F eatures of the, invention other than those specified willbe apparent from the, following detailed description when read in'conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, 7

and from the appended claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate different practical forms ofjthe invention but the structures therein shown are to .be understood as, illustrative only and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a blade holder embodying the present invention with a Gem type of blade supported therein.- y i Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective showing manner of supporting the Gillette type of blade.

Figure 3 shows the manner of the Autostrop type blade. I Figure 4 is a section on the line fr-45 of Figure 1-. 1

Figure 5 is a section taken onthe plane of the line 5--5 of F i re 2.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 1 but illustrating the preferred form of the invention which is susceptible of supporting practically all types of safety razor blades. The f(item type of blade is. shown in place in this gure. t v

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 but showing the manner of supporting the Ever- Ready blade. 7 Y

Figure8 isa section on the line 8 -8 of Figure 7, T r V I Figure 9 is a perspective for showing the supporting attachmentjto be used in connection with the long and narrow, They are of the same width and approximately the same length,

although the strip 2 may be slightly longer thanthe stripl to permit them to behinged together by a hooked stud 3 rigidly supported on the' strip '1 and. passing loosely through a perforation in the strip 2 as shown. The strips are both provided along their back edges and adjacent their forward ends with cut-outs 4 of a depth substantially equal to the width of the backing rib 5 common to blades 6 of the conventional Gemtype and the length of these cut-outs is substantially the same as the length of the blade, so that a blade can be positioned between the strips as indicated in Figures 1 and 4, with the inner faces of the strips in face abutting relation to the blade and with the backing rib 5 ;positioned in the cut-outs 4. The width of the strips is such that when the blade is so positioned the sharp edge of the blade will project well beyond the lower edges of the strips as shown in Figure 4. 7

Adjacent the opposite ends of the cut-out the strips 1 and 2 are swaged outwardly as indicated at 7 and 8, to provide cam surfaces adapted to co-operate with the edges of a slot 9 formed in a clamping sleeve 10. This slot is of a width substantially equal to the combined thicknesses of both strips- 1 and 2 and in its normal retracted position the sleeve occupies the position illustrated in Figure 1 wherein it is shown as straddling the upper e'dges'of the strips rearwardly of the cams 7. The clamping sleeve is madeof sheet metal embodying sufficient inherent resiliency to adapt it for proper co-operation with the cams and the faces of such cams are so formed that after the blade is in place thesleeve 10 may be moved forwardly from the position shown in full lines in'Figure 1 to the position shown in dotted lines therein. When so moved the edges 9 of the slot co-operate the cam surfaces to effect a pronounced wedging action which serves to tightly clamp the strips together and cause them to firmly grip the interposed blade 6.

When the parts are thus assembled the device may be manipulated in a manner similar to that employed in the honing or stropping of a conventional straight razor blade. The diameter of the sleeve 10 is such as to present the sharp edge of the blade to the hone or strop at the proper angle and the rounded back of the sleeve allows of the rocking of the device back and forth as is done with the ordinary razor during the sharpening thereof.

It should be here noted that the cam faces 8 flare outwardly so as to diverge in a forward direction and with this arrangement it will be apparent that any tendency on the part of the sleeve 10 to slip during stropping will serve to clamp the strips tighter together instead of tending to loosen or decrease the clamping action.

The blade may beremoved after sharpening by retracting the sleeve into the full line position or slipping it wholly free from the strips so as to permit the strips to be swung apart as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1.

It will be noted that the strip 2 is shown as provided with two perforations 12. These perforations are not required when sharpening blades of the Gem type but are intended for use in the sharpening of blades of the Gillette type. When employing the device with Gillette blades, the strip 1 is removed, and in its place there is substituted a strip 14 such as shown in Figure 2. This strip is in all respects the same as the strip 1 except that it is not provided with a cut-out 4 but is provided with two bosses 15,'spaced apart such distance as to. register with and project through the stud holes in the Gillette blade 16 and to extend into the holes 12 of the strip 2 which are similarly spaced apart. The strip 14 is provided with a hooked stud 3 at its rear end adapted to cooperate with the perforation in the corresponding end of the strip 2 and a clamping sleeve the same as the sleeve 10 is employed to clamp the two strips 14 and 2 together to hold the blade 16 in place during the stropping or honing operation.

Figure 5 is a section through the assembled structure with a Gillette blade in position and it willbe noticed in this figure that the projections 15 firmly hold the blade against movement in any direction.

Auto strop blades such as indicated at 17 in Figure 3 are provided at their opposite ends with recesses 18 and when such a blade is to be sharpened, a strip 19 is employed in lieu of the strips 1 or 14. This strip 19 is the, same as th strip 14, except that somewhat smaller studs or projections 20 are employed in lieu of the studs or projections 15, and said projections 20 are spaced apart an appropriate distance to co-act with the recesses 18. These studs need be of a length only equal to the thickness of the blade 17 so that the blade 2 need not-be perforated or indented to receive the ends of the studs.

The structure which I have thus far described has been found to give very excellent results in the sharpening of practically all of the well-known types of safety razor blades. It holds the blades'firmly in position and maintains the proper angle. It will not loosen and permit the blades to slip and is thoroughly dependable in operations. It will be'noted, howeventhat three alternate strips are used'in conjunction with the strip 2, depending upon the particular type of blade which it is desired to sharpen. This necessitates the manufacture of three distinct alternative forms for one of the strips of the couples, and since it is desirable to minimize cost and promote convenience. I have shown in the remaining figures of the drawings a preferred and simplified form of the invention wherein a strip couple of only two strips is so constituted. as to sharpen all of the said well-known forms of blades.

Thus, referring to Figures 6 8. 21 and 22 constitute two strips having cams 7 and 8 and cut-outs 4. A sleeve 10 is adapted to cooperate with the cams to clamp a Gem blade 6 1nplace in the same manner as hereinbefore described in conjunctioii with Figure 1. An Auto-strop blade may be clamped in like manner associating with such blade 17 a backing clip 23 as shown in Figure 9. This backing clip'is made in the form of a leaf spring the opposite ends of which are I curved toward one another as shown at 24 to seat in the recesses 18 and form a backing.

for the blade. This backing isadapted to occupy the cut-outs 4 and function in the same manner as the backing 5 (Figure 6) of the Gem blade.

' a distance equal to the distance between the center and one end hole of a Gillette blade andsimilarly spaced openings 26 are formed in thestrip 22. To grip a Gillette blade, the blade is'positioned asindicated in Figure 7 and the strip 22 is thereupon brought into face abutting relation to the blade to cause the studs 25 to extend into the perforations 26 and the sleeve 10 is thereupon brought into a co-opcrative relation with the cams 7 and8 to firmly clamp the blade in position. It will be noted that the studs 25 are positioned sufliciently forward of the cut-outs lso as to not interfere with an unperforatcd Gem blade and although the Gillette blade will slightly overlap the cutouts as shown in Figure 7, such a blade cannot shift because it is firmly heldin position by the studs 25. Thus, through the employment of a two strip couple blades of Gillette, Gem, or Autostrop types may be efficiently sharpened.

The device of this invention is unusually simple in construction. It constitutes, in the main, die stampings and may thus be produced very economically. It functions per- 7 fectly and with high efficiency in a honing or stropping of safety razor blades and embodiesa minimum number of relatively movableuparts, none of which areso constructed as to get out of order.

It will of course be'understoodthat if desired I may employ with the strip 22 a strip as indicated at 19 in Figure 3, for the sharpening of Auto-strop blades and to thereby dispense with the use of the adapter 23, but I have found the adapter to give thoroughly satisfactory results.

The foregoing detailed description sets forth the invention in its preferred practical forms but inasmuch as some parts may be used without necessarily employing all I wish it understood that the invention is to be considered as fully commensurate with the appended claims.

Having thusfully described invention, 7

Letters Patent'is: L

1. In a safety razor blade holder two strips pivoted to one another at one end of each strip and between theopposite end portions of which strips a safety razor blade is adaptwhat I claim as new and desire to secure by ed to be clamped, with asharp edge of the blade projecting beyond the edges. ofthe strips, longitudinally spaced apart cams formed on the outer faces of both strips adjacent the blade,"said cams sloping in the d1- .re'ction ofthe length of the strips and also transversely thereof, and a clamping member comprising a resilient sleeve havin 1n the wall thereof a longitudinal slot of a wldth to permit the sleeve to straddle both strips andco-act, through longitudinal shifting of the sleeve, with the cams for the purpose of forcing the strips into tight clamping relation'with respect to the interposed blade.

In a safety razor blade holder, two

strips pivoted'to one another at one end of each'strip and between the opposite end portions of'whichstrips a safety razor blade is adapted to beclamped, with a sharp: edge of the blade projecting beyond-two adjacent edges of the strips, longitudinally spaced apart cams formed on theouter faces ofboth strips adjacent the blade and adjacent the other two edges of the strips, said cams sloping in the direction of the length of the strips and also j diverging in the direction of the edges ofthe'strips adjacent which they are positioned, and'a clamping member comprising aresilient sleeve having inthe wall there- 7 of a longitudinal slot of a width topermit the sleeve to straddle both strips and co-act,

through longitudinalshifting of the sleeve, with the camsfor thepurpose of springing the sleeve and forcing the strips into tight clamping relation with respect to the interposed blade, both strips beingprovided adjacent the blade with recesses shaped to receive the backing strip of a backed blade to thereby permit the strips'toeng'a-ge such a blade inface abutting relation.

3. In a safetyrazor blade holder, two stri s pivoted to one another at one end of each strip and between theopposite end portions of which stripsqa safety razor blade-is adapted to be clamped, with a sharp edge of the blade projecting beyond the edges of the strips,

longitudinally spac ed apart cams formed on the outer facesof both strips adjacent'the blade, said cams sloping in the direction of the length of the strips, and a clamping member comprising a resilient sleeve havingin the wall thereof a longitudinal slot of a width to permit the sleeve to straddle both strips and co-act, throughlongitudinal shifting of the sleeve, with the cams for the purpose of forcing the. strips into tight clamping relation with respect to the interposed blade, both strips being providedadjacent the blade with recesses shaped to receive the backing strip of a backed blade to thereby permit the strips to engage such a blade in face abutting relation, and projections formed on one of the strips between the recess therein and one end of said strip and spaced apart a distance equal to that between the perforations in a perforated type of blade.

l. In a safety razor blade holder, twoi strips pivoted to one another at one end of each strip and between the opposite end portions of which strips a safety razor blade is adapted to be clamped, with a sharp edge of the blade projecting beyond the edges of the strips, longitudinally spaced apart cams form-ed on the outer faces of both strips adj acent the blade, said cams sloping in the direction of the length of the strips, and a clamping member comprising a resilient sleeve having in'the wall thereof a longitudinal slot of a width to permit the sleeve to straddle both strips and co-act, through longitudinal shifting of the sleeve, with the cams for the purpose of forcing the strips .into tight clamping relation with respect to the interposed blade, both strips being provided adjacent theblade with recesses shaped to receive the backing strip of a hacked blade to thereby permit the strips to engage such a blade in face abutting relation, and pro jections formed on one of the strips between the recess therein and one end of said strip and spaced apart a distance equal to that between the perforations in a perforated type of blade, the other strip having registering depressions into which said projections are adapted to extend.

5. Anattachment for razor sharpening devices adapted to cooperate with an Autostrop type of razor blade, which comprises a backing strip of resilient material, the opposite ends of which are coiled inwardly toward one another to engage with the re cesses at the opposite ends of the blade.

6. In a safety razor blade holder, two strips of sheet metal, one end of each of which is pivoted to the corresponding end of the other,

longitudinally spaced apart cam surfaces swedged from each of the strips adjacent the opposite ends of the strips with the swedged cam faces of one strip juxtaposed with the corresponding faces of the other strip, said cam faces being spaced apart in each strip a distance greater than the length of a safety razor blade adapted to be positioned between the strips and intermediate the cam faces, and a clamping sleeve provided in the wall thereof with a longitudinal slot rendering the sleeve resilient and adapting the sleeve to straddle both strips and, by longitudinal movement of the sleeve, to engage with the pain faces for the purpose of tightly clamp- 1H0 a razor blade in position between strips with a sharp edge of the blade projecting beyond the edges of the strips, certain jux- JOHN W. ASHVVORTH.