US2846763A

US2846763A - Spring actuated quick acting safety razor

Info

Publication number: US2846763A
Application number: US502540A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hildreth A Spafford
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1955-04-20
Filing date: 1955-04-20
Publication date: 1958-08-12
Anticipated expiration: 1975-08-12

Description

1953 H. A. SPAFFORD 2,846,763

SPRING ACTUATED QUICK ACTI NG SAFETY RAZOR Filed April 20, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

' 2,846,763 SPRING ACTUATED QUICK ACTING SAFETY RAZOR Filed April 20, 1955 Aug. 12, 1958 H. A. SPAFFORD 2 Sheets $heet 2 INVEN TOR. CJUZ/ffb rcl United Staes SPRING ACTUATED QUICK ACTING SAFETY RAZOR This invention relates to improvements in safety razors employing a centrally opening two-part cap cooperating with the blade supporting member to hold the blade in position, the cap being actuated by a spindle and plunger that is under the influence of a spring contained within the razor handle.

The invention aims to provide improved features for such a razor that enhance the utility of the razor both in construction and in ease of operation.

Objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, taken together with the accompanying drawings, of an illustrative embodiment thereof, and in which drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete razor in closed position but Without the blade;

Figure 2 is an enlarged top view with the cap open;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view on the scale of Fig. 2 with the cap closed and the blade in position for shaving;

Figure 4 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 3 but showing an alternative position in which the cap is open for removal or insertion of a blade;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3; and

Figure 6 shows a modified construction.

The razor selected as an illustrative embodiment of the present invention includes a blade-supporting member 11. This may be constructed of relatively heavy sheet metal and provided at its ends with downturned ears 12 and along its longitudinal edges with guard bars 13 of the usual construction. The blade-supporting member may be formed by die pressing a single blank as shown provided with a central elongated depressed recess 14 and adjacent convex blade supporting faces 15 (Fig. 2). The member 11 is provided in each end with a centrally located slot 15a opening through the walls of the recess 14 and extending downwardly between the ears 12. Also, at each corner, the member 11 is notched as at 16 to provide restricted passageways for the legs of the cap sections as will presently be explained. The blade-supporting member 11 is rigidly connected to a tubular shank 17 from which extends downwardly a tubular barrel 18 that constitutes the handle of the razor, the shank having a reduced portion 17a that is force-fitted into the barrel (Fig. 3).

The two-part cap, which comprises two similar cap sections 19, is carried by a yoke member or central rail 20 which may be formed of folded laminae as shown and has angular dependent ends 2011 that are located in the slots 15a of the blade-supporting member 11 and project beyond the latter. To each of these ends respectively is rigidly secured a cross-arm 21. To each end of each cross-arm is pivoted at 21a a leg 22 of one of the cap sections 19. The legs 22 play in the restricted notches 16.

A central spindle 24 that passes reciprocably downwardly into the shank and barrel is secured at its upper "ice end to the rail 20. In this instance (Fig. 3) the upper end of the spindle is cut out to receive the rail as at 25 and is then oppositely indented as at 26 to stake the rail and spindle together, the rail 20 being perforated as at 26a within the spindle to receive the indented metal of the latter.

Each of the legs of the cap sections has an out-turned tongue 27, which, when the rail is raised by the spindle, engages the under face of the member 11 adjacent thereto to swing its related cap section into the fully open position shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, as by a cam or eccentric action of the cap sections on their pivots 21a.

Turning now to features of the present invention, the cross arms 21, at each end, are cut away or recessed as at 29 along their upper edges to provide finger holes by which the blade 30 may be readily grasped when the razor is in the open position shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the blade at this time lying flatly on the cross arms and projecting slightly beyond the recess 29 at each end.

Further in accordance with the present invention, the spindle 24 is connected (Fig. 3) to a plunger 31 that has a reduced tubular part 32 that enters the lower end of the barrel 18 to receive the reduced lower end 24a of the spindle. In the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, the plunger 31 has a bore 33 that is counter-bored as at 34 to receive a machine screw 35 that is threadedly received in a drilled and tapped hole 36 of the spindle end 24a, the plunger bore 33 being enlarged as at 37 to snugly receive the reduced lower end of the spindle.

Between the upper end 38 of the plunger and the lower end 39 of the shank part 17a is located a helical compression spring 40 that urges the plunger 31, and with it the spindle, downwardly in the barrel to maintain the razor in the closed position shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 5. At this time, as is well known, the blade 30, which is centrally apertured to pass therethrough the rail 20, is held by the blade supporting member and the cap sections in an arched position, the blade being flexible for this purpose, as is known to be most favorable for the shaving action. In arching, the blade being pressed downwardly adjacent its cutting edges by the cap sections, is made to conform somewhat to the convex surface of the supporting member 11.

A further feature of the present invention is that arching of the blade is desirably aided by fulcrum elements here provided on the blade supporting faces 15 adjacent the center line of the member 11. Such fulcrum elements are here shown in the form of upstruck lugs or tabs 41, there being in this instance four of them, one on each side of the rail and at each end of the blade supporting member Where the blade is continuous thereacross. The upstruck tabs leave notches 41a communicating with slot 15a. It will be understood that when the razor is in closed position (Fig. 3), the cross-arms 21 are depressed below the upper surface of the blade supporting member and are then below these fulcrum members so that the blade rests in the direction of its longitudinal axis on these fulcrum members and its outer edges are pressed downwardly therefrom by the cap sections respectively. This fulcrummed flexing of the blade permits the use of a lighter spring 46 requiring less effort to open the razor against .the force of the spring. When the razor is in open position (Fig. 4), the resilience of the blade restores it to planar form, resting on the cross-arms 21, the latter being now elevated by the spindle 24 by the manual action of pressing downwardly on the barrel 18 against the force of the spring 46.

Still following the present invention, the plunger counter-bore 34 that provides room for the head 35a of the screw 35 is closed by a resilient friction or non-slip plug 42, such as of rubber or other elastomeric material,

the plug having an enlarged projecting head 43 flush V with the plunger periphery that constitutes an operating knob for the razor in the sense that when the barrel is held firmly in the hand in a vertical position resting on the knob 43 and downward pressure is exerted the plunger 31 moves upwardly in the barrel, lifts the spindle and opens the cap sections. An integral annular ring 43a fits into a corresponding internal ring in bore 34 toretain plug 42 in position. When this pressure is released the spring 40 immediately retracts the plunger 31 together with the spindle and closes the cap sections to lock the blade in arched position as previously described.

Preferably, a deeply knurled annular shoulder 17b is provided on tubular shank 17 to facilitate gripping of the razor handle in operating the mechanism to open the cap sections.

Further following the present invention, means are here provided for releasably holding the plunger and barrel relatively in position in which the razor is open (Fig. 4). To maintain the razor in this position, there is here shown an annular groove 44 in the interior face of the barrel 18 having an upwardly facing annular shoulder 45. To cooperate therewith the plunger 31 is slotted longitudinally as at 46 to receive a catch or detent lever 47 that carries on its outer edge intermediately thereof a trigger tooth 48 having a downwardly facing shoulder 49. The lever 47 is enlarged at its upper end as at 50 to snugly fit the slot 46, to maintain the lever in position, while intermediately the lever is narrowed so as to have play in the slot 46 radially of the plunger. At its lower end the laver 47 has a lateral extension 51 that projects slightly beyond the plunger and carries a button 52. Behind the extension 51 is a compression coil spring 53 in a cylindrical enlargement 53a of the slot 46 that urges the lever 47, at its lower end, outwardly of the slot 46. Thus, when the plunger and barrel are pushed together to open the razor as described, the trigger tooth 48, riding on the inner face of the barrel and pressed outwardly by the spring 53, enters the annular groove 44. Abutment of the shoulder 45 on the barrel and shoulder 49 on the trigger tooth prevents outward movement of the plunger with respect to the barrel under the influence of spring 40 until the button 52 is manually pressed to retract the detent lever and withdraw the trigger finger from the groove. While the button is so held the spring 40 moves the plunger outwardly of the barrel to the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing from the position shown in Fig. 4.

It is desirable to have an intermediate position for the razor, in which it; is neither completely open nor completely closed, but in which the blade is held from falling out. In such position of the razor, it may be rinsed or doused in running water to clean the blade and the blade may be left'to dry. For this purpose, in accord with a further feature of the present invention, there is here shown a second annular groove 54, spaced from the groove 44 and located nearer the outer end of the barrel. The trigger tooth 48 cooperates with the groove 54 in the same manner as with the groove 44, with the barrel and plunger somewhat less completely telescoped but with the cap sections swung sufficiently inwardly to hold the blade from falling out.

In the modification shown in Fig. 6, the spindle 55, which is of uniform diameter, is secured to the plunger 56 by having its lower end 57 pressed into the bore 58 of the plunger by a force fit, the parts and functions being otherwise the same as in the previous figures of the drawing, except that in this optional modification the detent lever 47 is omitted and the barrel and plunger must be manually held in their more telescoped position to maintain the razor open, if the catch means be not desired.

The invention is not intended to be limited to details of construction shown for purposes of exemplification, and, furthermore, it may not be essential that all features of the invention be used conjointly, since various combinations and sub-combinations may at times be advantageously employed.

Such changes may be made as fall within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the invention.

What is here claimed is:

1. In a quick acting safety razor, the combination with a blade supporting member, a barrel rigid therewith, a spindle reciprocable within the barrel, a cap carried by the spindle, and a spring urging the spindle to a position closing the cap on the blade supporting member, of a plunger reciprocable with the spindle and projecting from the barrel at its end opposite said blade supporting member, a longitudinal slot in said plunger, a detent in said slot, resilient means carried by the plunger urging the detent outwardly, a formation on the detent, a second formation in the barrel cooperating with the first formation to hold the razor open against the force of the spring, and a third formation in the barrel spaced outwardly of the second formation for holding the razor partially open.

2. In a quick acting safety razor, the combination with a blade supporting member, a barrel rigid therewith, a spindle reciprocable within the barrel, a cap carried by the spindle, and a spring urging the spindle to a position closing the cap on the blade supporting member, of a plunger reciprocable with the spindle and projecting from the barrel at its end opposite said blade supporting member, a longitudinal slot in said plunger, a detent lever in said slot, resilient means carried by the plunger urging the lever outwardly at its outer end, a first formation on the lever intermediately thereof, a second formation in the barrel cooperating with the first formation to hold the razor open against the force of the spring, and a button on the lever for retracting the first formation out of the second formation to close the razor.

3. In a quick acting safety razor, the combination with a blade supporting member, a barrel rigid therewith, a spindle reciprocable within the barrel, a two-part cap carried by the spindle, and a spring urging the spindle to a position closing the cap on the blade supporting member, of a plunger reciprocable with the spindle and projecting from the barrel at its end opposite said blade supporting member, a longitudinal slot in said plunger,

a detent lever in said slot, a spring carried by the plunger urging the lever outwardly at its outer end, a trigger tooth on the lever intermediately thereof, a first annular groove in the barrel cooperating with the tooth to hold the razor fully open against the force of the first mentioned spring, and a second annular groove in the barrel spaced outwardly of the first groove to cooperate with the tooth for holding the razor partially open.

4. In a quick acting safety razor, the combination with a blade supporting member, a barrel rigid therewith, a

spindle reciprocable within the barrel, a two-part cap carried by the spindle, and a spring urging the spindle to a position closing the cap on the blade supporting member, of a plunger reciprocable with the spindle and projecting frorn the barrel at its end opposite said blade supporting member, a longitudinal slot in said plunger, a detent lever in said slot, a spring carried by the plunger urging the lever outwardly at its outer end, a formation on the lever intermediately thereof, and an annular groove in the barrel cooperating with said formation to hold the razor open against the force of the first mentioned spring, said groove and formation having opposed holding shoulders.

5. In a quick acting safety razor, the combination with a blade supporting member, a barrel rigid therewith, a spindle reciprocable within the barrel, a cap carried by the spindle, and a spring urging the spindle to a position closing the cap on the blade supporting member, of a plunger reciprocable with the spindle and projecting from her, a longitudinal slot in said plunger, a detent lever in said slot, resilient means carried by the plunger urging the lever outwardly at its outer end, a first formation on the lever intermediately thereof, a second formation in the barrel to hold the razor open against the force of the spring, and a fulcrum element upstanding from said blade supporting member located along the center line thereof to facilitate arching of the blade when the razor is closed.

6. In a quick acting safety razor, the combination, with a blade supporting member, a barrel rigid therewith, a spindle reciprocable within the barrel, a two-part cap carried by the spindle for engaging a blade, and a spring urging the spindle to a position closing the cap on the blade supporting member to flex the blade to shaving position, of a first interengaging means between the spindle and the barrel for holding the cap in partially open non-shaving position against the force of said spring tending to fully close it, whereby the blade is loosely held for ease of washing, a second interengaging means between the spindle and the barrel for holding the cap in 20 fully open position against the force of said spring, an

element extending laterally of the barrel for controlling said interengaging means, and a second spring urging said element into position to actuate the interengaging means to hold the cap in said open positions selectively, whereby upon manual movement of said element against the force of said second spring the cap and spindle are returned to the influence of the first mentioned spring to quickly and fully close the razor from said partially open or fully open position to shaving position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,888,962 Swan Nov. 22, 1932 1,956,175 Muros Apr. 24, 1934 2,043,124 Smith et a1. June 2, 1936 2,067,789 Robertson Jan. 12, 1937 2,109,554 Smith et a1 Mar. 1, 1938 2,406,983 Anderson Sept. 3, 1946 2,698,995 Anastasia Jan. 11, 1955 2,762,121 Isrolf et al Sept. 11, 1956