US2785461A - Rotary type electric razor - Google Patents

Description

March 19, 195 7 V. DE LALLA, SR

ROTARY TYPE ELECTRIC RAZOR 2 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Feb. 21. 1955 INVENTOR ATToRzyBf March 19, 1957 V. DE LALLA, SR

ROTARY TYPE ELECTRIC RAZOR 2 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 21, 1955 INVENTOR Z Z a S7"- ATTORNEY Uite States This invention relates to a rotary type electric razor of relatively simple construction having .a substantial shaving area and which, due to unique structural features thereof, enables the user to shave much closer than with other types of electric shavers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel construction of housing or reinforcing member for surrounding a guard or screen of the electric razor and which will enable the use of a screen having a very thin wall for close shaving and which will prevent the screen from being deformed or bent.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electric shaver wherein a housing or reinforcing member will additionally cooperate with the guard or screen for stretching the skin of the face where it contacts the guard or screen.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an electric shaver having a blower means for expelling the clippings therefrom and which additionally functions as a suction means for drawing the whiskers inwardly through the guard or screen into a position to be cut.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rotary type electric razor which may be readily assembled and dismantled and having a plurality of easily replaceable cutter blades which are yieldably maintained in engagement with the inner side of the guard or screen for coaction therewith in executing a shearing cut when the blades are rotated.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter become more fully apparent from the following description of the drawings, illustrating a presently preferred embodiment thereof, and wherein:

Figure l is a side elevational view of the electric razor;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view, partly in elevation, thereof, taken substantially along a plane as indicated by the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figures 3 and 4 are cross sectional views of the electric razor, taken substantially along planes as indicated by the lines 33 and 4-4, respectively, of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of a portion of the cylindrical guard or screen, shown removed from the razor;

Figure 6 is an elevational view of the housing or reinforcing member, shown removed from the razor, and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary detail sectional view, taken substantially along a plane as indicated by the line 7-7 I of Figure 2.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the electric razor in its entirety and comprising the invention is designated generally 10 and includes a high speed electric motor 11 the housing 12 of which constitutes the handle of the razor 10. A conventional electric cord 13, only a fragment of which is shown, extends from the motor 11 and is adapted to be connected to a conventional electric outlet for supplying electric current to the motor. One end of the motor housing 12 is provided with an outwardly atent 2,785,461 Patented Mar. 19, 1957 projecting relatively large annular externally threaded boss 14. The armature shaft 15 of the motor 11 extends into the cavity of the boss 14 and is loosely disposed therein, as seen in Figure 2.

The shaving head or" the razor 10, designated generally 16, includes a housing or reinforcing member 17 of substantially circular cross section, as best seen in Figures 3 and 4, having an annular externally threaded outer end portion 18 and an annular internally threaded socket portion 19 defining the inner end thereof. The housing portions 18 and 19 are connected by a bar portion 20, the ends of which are formed integral with the end portions 13 and 19 and the width of which constitutes an arc of about as best seen in Figure 3. As seen in Figure 3, the bar portion 20 is of arcuatecross section and has a concave inner side. A circumferentially extending band portion 21 is disposed intermediate of the ends of the housing 17 and has end portions merging integrally with the longitudinal side edges of the bar 20, intermediate of the ends thereof. The band 21 on its outer side is provided with a circumferentially extending rib 22 which is convexly rounded in cross section and which preferably extends transversely across the bar portion 29. The housing 17 also includes a pair of longi: tudinally extending relatively narrow reinforcing strips 23, the outer sides of which are convexly rounded in cross section, as seen in Figure 3, similar to the rib 22. The strips 23 thus form longitudinally extending ribs, the intermediate portions of which merge integrally with the circumferentially extending band 21 and the ends of which merge integrally with the end portions 18 and 19. The longitudinally extending ribs 23 are spaced substantially equal distances from the bar 20 and are likewise spaced substantially distances from one another. As best seen in Figure 2, the socket 119 has an inner wall 24 provided with a relatively large central opening 25 in which is mounted a bushing 26.

The socket 19 threadedly engages on the boss 14 for mounting the housing 17 detachably on the motor casing 12, .as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. A shaft 27 extends axially through the housing 1'7 and has one end portion thereof journaled in the bushing 26. Said shaft end is provided with an outwardly opening notch 28 to receive a restricted terminal portion of the armature shaft 15 which forms a tongue 29 for coupling the shafts 15 and 27 together for rotation as a unit.

The shaft 27 has a pair of spiders 30 secured thereto in longitudinally spaced relation to one another, in any suitable manner as by means of pins 31 which extend through hubs 32 of the spiders 30 and through the shaft 27. Each spider 30 has a plurality of arms 33 which extend radially therefrom and which are circumferentially spaced relative to one another. In the embodiment of the invention as disclosed, each spider 30 is shown provided with four arms 33 which are equally spaced circumferentially from one another. However, each spider 30 may be provided with two or more arms 33. The arms 33 of the two spiders Eli are arranged in longitudinal alignment. Each arm 33 has a groove 34 extending longitudinally thereof and which opens through an inner face of said arm and through the outer part thereof, as best seen in Figures 2 and 3. An outer ungrooved portion 35 of each arm 33 extends to beyond the outer end of the inner groove portion 34 and has an arcuate surface 36 defining the outer end thereof.

A blower 37 is mounted on the shaft 27 beyond the spider 30 which is located remote from the notched shaft end 28. The blower 37 includes a hub 38 which is secured by a pin 39 to the shaft 27. The blower 37 includes a plurality of blades 40 which project outwardly from the hub38 and all of which are pitched in the same direction, as seen in Figure 4.

The spiders 30 and the blower 37 are loosely disposed in the housing 17 and portions of the blower 37 extend outwardly from the housing end 18. A thin walled metal cylinder or tube 41 is disposed snugly within the housing 17 and has an inner end abutting against the transverse wall 24 of said hOLlsing and an opposite end which is disposed substantially flush with the outer end of the threaded housing portion 18, as seen in Figure 2. The ends 36 of the spiders 30 have a relatively close fitting working en'- gagement in the tube or cylinder 41, as seen in Figures 2 and 3, and the outer edges of the blades it are spaced inwardly from the tube ill to provide ample working clearance, as seen in Figure 2. The tube 41 is provided with a series of slots 42, preferably arranged in circumferential rows and wherein the individual slots 42 are disposed diagonally of the axis of the tube 41.

Each of the aligned pair of arms 33 of the two spiders 30 supports a blade 43 which fits slidably between the outer ends of the portions 35 of said arms and which has a narrow back or inner edge portion 44, the ends of which fit slidably in the grooves 34 whereby the blades 43 are slidably movable radially of the arms 33. An elongated spring 45 is associated with each of said pair of aligned arms 33 and the blade supported thereby and includes an inwardly bowed intermediate portion 46, the intermediate part of which bears against the shaft 27, and aligned end portions 47 which bear against the inner face of the blade part 44 and the ends of which slidably engage in the grooves 34, as seen in Figures 2 and 3. Thus, the blades 43 are yieldably urged radially outward of the spiders 30 and are yieldably held in engagement with the inner side of the cylinder 41. The outer or head portions of the blades 43, which are wider than the shank portions 44, have outer surfaces 48 which are slightly bowed convexly in cross section to conformably engage the inner face of the cylinder 41. The longitudinal edges 49 thereof constitute the cutting edges of said blades 43.

A pair of relatively thick substantially rigid retaining rings 50 are removably disposed in the guard or screen 41 and fits snugly therein. One of said rings is disposed in the inner end of the guard 41 between the Wall 24 and the spider 3h disposed adjacent thereto. The other ring engages the guard between the blower 3'7 and the other spider 39, which is located adjacent said blower.

The head 16 also includes a cap 51 having an internally threaded open inner end 52 which threadedly engages on the housing portion 18 and which provides an annular outwardly facing shoulder 53 which abuts against the outer end of the housing portion 18 and against the end of the cylinder 41 which is disposed therein. The end wall 54 of the 'cap 5i has a central opening containing a bushing 56 in which the outer end of the shaft 27 is journaled and which abuts against the hub 38 of the blower 37 to maintain the notched inner shaft end 28 in coupled engagement with the tongue 29. The cap 51 constitutes a partial housing in which the blower 37 is rotatably disposed and its wall 54 has openings 57 constituting outlets for the blower 37.

It is to be understood that the electric razor it is illustrated in the drawings, including Figure l, substantially larger in size than its'actual size. It is also to be understood that the thickness of certain of the parts such as the guard or screen 41 has been substantially exaggerated, as the wall of the cylinder forming said guard or screen 41 is very thin so that a very close shave can be obtained. It will also be noted that substantial areas of the guard or screen 41 are exposed between the band 21 and the .ribs 23 and between said ribs and the side edges of the bar 20, all of which exposed areas of the screen 41 constitute usable shaving areas. The armature shaft 15 and the shaft 27 are adapted to be driven at a speed of approximately 4000 R. P. M. in a counterclockwise direction, as seen in Figures 3 and 4.

The screen or guard portion 41' located between the ribs 23, band 21 and bar 20 may be selectively placed inwardly through the slots 42 for thus expelling the clippings from the head 16. This suction in the slots 42 additionally functions to draw the whiskers or hairs mwardly through said slots to be more readily sheared off by the cutting edges 49. Said cutting edges 49 are mainrained sharpened by their contact with the smooth highly polished interior face of the cylinder 41.

The housing or reinforcing member 17 provides an ample reinforcement for the screen or guard 41 so as to prevent it from being bent or distorted and so that said screen or guard may be of a minimum thickness to obtain the closest possible shave. In addition, the housing or reinforcing member 17 further assists in enabling the shaver It; to produce a close shave in that the ribs 22 and 23 are adapted to be pressed against the face so that portions of the skin of the face located between said ribs and the longitudinal edges of the bar 2i) will be stretched and will intend to protrude outwardly into tight engagement with the exposed areas of the screen 41 so that the whiskers or hairs will more readily project from said skin portions through the slots 42 to be cut off as close as possible to the skin.

The razor it, constitutes a dry shaver which is rendered self-cleaning by the blower 37 so that said razor does not require cleaning. However, the head 16 can be quickly and easily disassembled for replacing the blades 43 and which" operation only requires removal of the cap 51, the reinforcing ring 59 located adjacent thereto and the parts carried by the shaft 27.

Various modifications and changes are contemplated and may obviously be resorted to, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as hereinafter defined by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an electric razor, a cutter head including a rotary driven shaft, a plurality of cutter blades, means fixed to said shaft and supporting said cutter blades in radially spaced relation to the shaft and in circumferentially spaced relation to one another and for sliding movement radially on the shaft, ahollow cylindrical perforated guard disposed around the cutter blades, supporting means mounting said guard immovably relative to the blades, and spring means individual to said blades for urging outer edge portions of the blades into conformable engagement with theinterior face of said guard for cooperation with the perforations of the guard for executing a cutting operation When the bladesare revolved within the guard, said last mentioned guard supporting means comprising an elongated housing of openwork construction having a plurality of relatively large openings through which substantial areas of said guard are exposed, bearings supported by said housing and journaling end portions of said shaft, and said housing having ribs provided with outer surfaces of arcuate cross section defining boundaries of the openings thereof and constituting skin stretching means for cooperation with adjacent exposed areas of the guard.

2. In an electric razor as in claim 1, said housing having an inner socket end adapted to be detachably secured to an end of. a motor housing forming the razor handle for detachably mounting the cutter head thereon.

3. In an electric'razor as in claim 1, said guard being of a thin wall construction conformably fitting in and being reinforced by said housing, the perforations of said guard comprisingelongated slots disposed diagonally of the longitudinal axis of the guard.

4. 111 an electricfshaver as in claim 3 and rigidrein forcing ring members disposed in and bearing against portions of said guard and cooperating with said housing for maintaining the guard concentrically positioned around said shaft.

5. In an electric razor, a cutter head including a rotary driven shaft, a plurality of cutter blades, means fixed to said shaft and supporting said cutter blades in radially spaced relation to the shaft and in circumferentially spaced relation to one another and for sliding movement radially of the shaft, a hollow cylindrical perforated guard disposed around the cutter blades, supporting means mounting said guard immovably relative to the blades, and spring means individual to said blades for urging outer edge portions of the blades into conformable engagement with the interior face of said guard for cooperation with the perforations of the guard for executing a cutting operation when the blades are revolved within the guard, said last mentioned guard supporting means comprising an elongated housing of openwork construc tion having a plurality of relatively large openings through which substantial areas of said guard are exposed, bearings supported by said housing and journaling end portions of said shaft, said housing having ribs provided with outer surfaces of arcuate cross section defining boundaries of openings thereof and constituting skin stretching means for cooperation with adjacent exposed areas of the guard, said housing including a detachably mounted cap constituting an outer end thereof and provided with a plurality of openings forming blower outlets, said cap constituting a blower housing, and a blower fixed to said shaft outwardly relative to the blade supporting means for rotation in said blower housing for expelling clippings through the outlets thereof, the perforations of the guard constituting the inlets of said blower.

6. In an electric razor, a cutter head including a rotary driven shaft, a plurality of cutter blades, means fixed to said shaft and supporting said cutter blades in radially spaced relation to the shaft and in circumferentially spaced relation to one another and for sliding movement radially of the shaft, a hollow cylindrical perforated guard disposed around the cutter blades, supporting means mounting said guard immovahly relative to the blades, and spring means individual to said blades for urging outer edge portions of the blades into conformable engagement with the interior face of said guard for cooperation with the perforations of the guard for executing a cutting operation when the blades are revolved within the guard, said last mentioned guard supporting means comprising an elongated housing of openwork construction having a plurality of relatively large openings through which substantial areas of said guard are exposed, bearings supported by said housing and journallng end portions of said shaft, and said housing having ribs provided with outer surfaces of arcuate cross section defining boundaries of the openings thereof and constituting skin stretching means for cooperation with adjacent exposed areas of the guard, said first mentioned blade supporting means comprising a pair of spiders secured to longitudinally spaced portions of said shaft and having radially projecting arms, the arms of the spiders being disposed in alignment and being provided with grooves in which end portions of the blades are supported for sliding movement radially of said arms.

7. In an electric razor as in claim 6, said arms having remotely disposed portions disposed in abutting engagement with the ends of said blades, and said spring means having end portions disposed in said grooves, bearing against and yieldably biasing the blades radially outward of the arms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,289,323 Dettle July 7, 1942 2,321,932 Nyhagen June 15, 1943 2,375,521 Boyd May 8, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 427,439 Italy Nov. 20, 1947

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