US3491442A

US3491442A - Adjustable turret razor

Info

Publication number: US3491442A
Application number: US708821A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leopold Karl Kuhnl
Original assignee: Eversharp Inc
Current assignee: Eversharp Inc
Priority date: 1968-02-28
Filing date: 1968-02-28
Publication date: 1970-01-27
Anticipated expiration: 1987-01-27

Description

.Ia-11.211970 f. K. KUHNL 3,491,442

. ADJUSTABLE TURRET RAZOR Filed Feb. 2, 1968 4 sheets-sheet 2 /NvE/vToR LEOPOLD K. KUHNL B 25,55? I .QQ QATT'YS. Y

"'Jan. 27, 1970 K.. KUHN-L ADJUSTABLE TURRET RAZOR Filed Feb. 28, 1968 /NvENToR LEOPOLD K. KUHNL 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATT'YS.

Jail. 27, 1970 L. K. KUHNL ADJUSTABLE TURRET RAZOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 28, 1968 INVENTOR LEOPOLD K. KUHNL United States Patent O 3,491,442 ADJUSTABLE TURRET RAZOR Leopold Karl Kuhnl, Stratford, Conn., assignor to Eversharp, Inc., Milford, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 28, 1968, Ser. No. 708,821 Int. CI. B261) 21/20, 21/52 U.S. Cl. 30-34 10 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A safety razor unit having a rotatable spider member, including adjustment means for varying the distance between the blade and blade guard means for the lower edge of the blade, independently of the operation of the spider rotating mechanism. The described razor includes a side wiper or blade shield for covering a irst blade edge on one longitudinal side of the head and means for releasing the spider and stem thereof from a locked position, and for rotating the spider and blade 180 degrees to a second position, and for exposing the other blade edge and placing the first edge behind the blade shield; or wiper unit. Rotation of the spider unit is accomplished inde` pendently of the blade adjustment. l

The field of the present invention is that `of safety razors, and particularly safety razors which combine the, features` of providing a` blade shield along one ,longitudinal` side thereof, and an exposed blade edge for shaving on the other, and include means for rotating` the spider blade holder unit `so that the operator may switch the double.

edge `blade held in the holder unit from a shielded position `to an exposed position. Such a razor enables the user i to use one edge of a doublet edge razor blade `for a desired time and then switch to another edge. In addition, the provisions of the blade shield enables the user to use the blade edge shield as a side wiper for stripping the lather from the portion of the shavers face which it is desired to trim, with reference, for example, to an existing hairline or the like.

The razor described herein, in a preferred embodiment, is constructed and arranged in such a way that the sec* tional blade caps may be opened for removing an old blade, and closed to lock the new blade in place, -with a given number of turns of an operating knob, and with further turns of such knob, may rotate the spider unit and a blade held thereon from one position to another within the razor. Adjustment means is provided so that the distance between the blade edge and the blade guard means may be varied, as desired by the shaver.

The operating knob is preferably disposed at the bottom of the handle and is constructed so that, upon initial turning, the caps holding the blades on the blade seat will be opened and the blade exposed, and continued turning of the operating kno-b will serve to rotate the spidel and blade seat assembly relative to the guard member. Thereafter, manipulation of the operating knob in an opposite direction will serve to lock the spider into a shaving position, with an opposite blade edge exposed.

Adjustment of the blade edge relativeto the guard member is made, for example, by movement of a thumb or finger tab which operates a camming mechanism, serving to raise or lower a cylindrical guard element supported by the blade seat. In another embodiment, the entire blade seat with an integral guard is raised or lowered with respect to the shaving head by rotating an adjusting knob.

Description of the `prior art Double edge safety razor units are well known in the prior art, and are in common use throughout the world, millions of such units being sold every year. Recently, the purchasing public has reacted very favorably to the concept of an adjustable razor, in which either the guard member 0r the blade seat is moved, or like mechanisms are manipulated, yto vary the distance between the edge of the blade and guard bar or the like unit.

Likewise, a razor construction in which a side wiper or blade shield is provided for one side of a double edge razor blade is known, such razor being designed so that the spider unit carrying the blade may be rotated between two positions to expose different blade edges successively. Such razors are often referred to as turret razors from the rotating action of the spider, including the stem, and other parts associated therewith. A typical turret razor is described in my copending application, Ser. No. 515,029, filed Dec. 20, 1965 which is now Patent No. 3,363,313, issued Ian. 1, 1968.

However, inasmuch as the adjustable razor has been very popular and the turret type razor offers a number of` advantages to the shaver, there has been a need, heretofore unsatisfied, for a razor which combines the best features of both these constructions, and which will do so` `unit. wherein adjustment can be made to suit the preferl ence of a shaver of the guard-toblade clearance while retaining the rotatable spider or blade carrier feature, par# ticularly where the construction thereof issuch that making an adjustment to such clearance does not affect the other operationsof blade` changingand spider rotation i i.

and re-,c1amping.`y i i l SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the lack `of a previously known, practical razor of this type, in prior art, the objects of the present invention are: to provide a razor having the characteristics set forth above; a razor which is having such features available at low cost; which provides a simple operating mechanism, which is simple in operation and manipulation.

Another object is to provide a safety razor with a rotatable spider and with adjustment means in the form of a blade guard cylinder with eccentric mounting means thereon, whereby manipulation of a finger tab moves the guard cylinder up and down.

Still another object is to provide a safety razor with a rotatable spider assembly and which further includes a blade seat which is axially adjustable in relation to the shaving head.

The manner in which this invention accomplishes such objects, and other objects which are inherent therein, will become apparent when considered in conjunction with a description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, as described more fully herein, and as shown in the drawings, in which like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view, showing the operative components of the adjustable turret razor unit of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the adjustable turret razor, showing the adjustment of the guard means in one position thereof;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, with portions broken away, similar to FIG. 2, but showing a different adjustment position of the guard unit.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of the razor unit shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, taken along lines 4 4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 3, showing a portion of the guard memmer adjusting means of the embodiment of the razor shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 6 is an `exploded isometric view showing the operative components of another embodiment of the adjustable turret razor unit of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, on an enlarged scale, of the upper portion of the embodiment of the razor unit of the invention shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the razor shown in FIG. 7, showing the spider assembly in one position of rotation.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of the portion of the razor shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a horizontal sectional view, taken along lines 10-10 of FIG. 8, of a portion of the razor unit shown in FIGS. 6 through 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, FIG. l shows the principal elements of the present invention in an exploded relation, assembly of the parts being as shown therein. These drawings show a spider assembly 20, blade seat and guard assembly 22, cam elements 24, a

shaving head assembly 26, an adjustment mechanism 28, a handle unit 30, and an operating knob assembly 32.

The spider assembly is shown to comprise a top spider center bar 34, two legs 36 depending therefrom, and terminating in outwardly extending feet 38, each of which supports cross arms 40 containing, at the outer edges thereof, pivot points for the camming legs 42 of mirror image left and right hand

blade cap units

44, 46. The functions of these elements will be described further herein.

The spider assembly 20 also includes a spider stem 48 depending downwardly from the spider center bar 34, and includes a threaded portion at the bottom thereof, said threaded portion having a predetermined extent to be discussed below.

Referring now to the blade seat 22, it will be seen in this embodiment to include a central opening 52 for passage therethrough of the spider stem 48, and two generally upwardly facing, oppositely disposed

blade seat members

54, 56. The blade seat assembly also includes cap guiding cam surfaces 58 disposed at ends of the seat assembly 22, the purpose of which will be explained in greater detail herein. At the outermost corners of the blade seats are located, on one lateral side of the seat assembly 22, a pair of generally U-shaped guard retainers 60 each of which is adapted to receive pins 62 extending longitudinally outwardly from the ends of a rotatable, fluted cylindrical guard bar 64. On the inner edge of the cylindrical guard bar 64 is located helically extending slot 66. It will be noted that the pins 62 are eccentrically disposed lwith respect to the longitudinal center of the cylindrical guard bar 64, for reasons which will appear later. The inner corners 65 of the U-shaped guard retainers 60, and the counterparts 67 of these corners on the other lateral side of the blade seat 22 serve as cam surfaces for engaging the legs 42 and toes 69 of the

cap sections

44, 46 in order to open and close these sections during axial movement of the spider 20.

Referring now to the cam elements 24, an upper, slightly bowed washer 68 is shown to include a cutout notch 70 therein and a central opening 72 to accommodate passage of the spider stem 48. Below the washer 68 is disposed a cam unit 74 having a central opening 76 therethrough, and an outwardly extending tongue 78 adapted to be received in the slot 66, as well as a cutout opening 80, for purposes which will appear presently herein.

Beneath the cam element 74 is disposed the shaving head assembly 26, which includes a lower stem portion 82 having an opening 84 facing the front of the razor, a circular recess 86 for accommodating the cam parts just described, a blade edge shield 88, central cutouts 90 for cooperating with the legs 36 of the spider, and serving as a means of locking the spider 20 against rotation when the spider 20 abuts the blade seat. In addition, shoulders 92 help align the legs 42 of the

caps

44, 46 in their closed position of use. A trough 94 is provided in the head 26 for accommodating the blade seat assembly 22 and to align the same in the desired position, in cooperation with the cutouts and

shoulders

90, 92. Outwardly facing shoulders 96, in assembled position of use, hold the pins 62 of the cylindrical guard against inward escape from the retainers 60.

Referring now to the adjustment mechanism shown at 28, this assembly includes a generally rectangular body 98 having a circular collar 100 at the top thereof, and a sleeve 102 on the bottom thereof. On one face 104 of the body 98 is a tapped opening 106 adapted to receive a fastener 108 therein. The fastener 108 connects the finger tab 110, which includes an operating tongue 114, to the body 98 through the opening 112, and the washer 116 associated therewith. The tongue 114 of the tab 110 is adapted to be received in the cutout 80 of the cam 74. The cam 74 and the washer 68 lit in the recess 86 in the head 26, and the opening 80 of cam 74 receives the tongue 114 of the tab 110 with a snug t, and only enough clearance to allow the required relative motion between the

units

74 and 110.

Referring now to the handle 30, this unit includes a plurality of gripping surfaces 118 extending outwardly therefrom, a top face 120, a bottom face 121, and a cylindrical bore 122 including a locating groove 124 therein. The bore 122 accommodates the sleeve 102 and the groove 124 prevents rotation of the body 98 relative to the handle member 30.

A bushing sleeve 126 is provided, and contains a slot 128 therein, which is adapted to receive a key (not shown) which is integrally formed in the bore 122 of the lower end of the handle unit 30. The sleeve 126 is adapted to be snapped into position surrounding the cylinder 130 of the knob 132 which contains gripping surfaces 134 thereon. A shoulder 136, including an inwardly tapering surface 138, surmounts the cylinder 130 of the knob 132. The upper part of the knob 132 includes a flat, radial face 139 for engaging the bottom face 121 of the handle 30. The bore 140 of the knob 132 has threads (not shown) on the inner surface thereof, adapted to cooperate with the threads 50 on the bottom of the spider stem 48, to move the spider 20 axially of the stern 48.

A fastener means such as a screw 142 is provided with threads 144 thereon which engage an internally threaded bore (not shown) on the inside of the lower threaded portion 50 of the spider stem 48, to hold the assembled parts in a locked relation.

It will thus be seen that the stem 48 of the spider assembly 20 is received in the opening 52 in the blade seat, and extends through the

openings

72, 74, in the washer and

cam

68, 74 then downwardly through the opening in the body 98, the opening 122 in the handle 30, and through the knob assembly 32, where the screw unit 142 holds these parts against axial disassembly. Limited movement between the spider 20 and the handle 30 is achieved by rotating the knob, by reason of the provision of the threads 50.

Thus, rotation of the knob 132 toward the left, or, counter clockwise as seen from the bottom of the razor, allows the spider element to be raised, thereby opening the

cap sections

44, 46 as the legs 42 and toes 69 thereof engage the corners 67. When the full extent of the threads 50 has been traversed by the knob 132, further rotation can no longer raise the spider, and accordingly, the knob 132 and the stem 48 of the spider tend to become locked together. Accordingly, a further 1/2 turn (180) of the knob to the left rotates the spider about the axis of the stem 48, and such rotation also carries the blade which is carried on the spider center bar 34 into the new position. After the spider unit is in its new position, that is, with the blade edge moved from one side of the razor to the other, relocation and locking of the spider assembly is accomplished by pulling downwardly on the knob 132, whereupon engagement is made by the legs 36, of the spider 20 with the

slots

90, 92 of the head unit 26 and by the camming legs 42 of the

caps

44, 46 with the corners 65 of the blade seat, thereby securing the spider assembly 20 against further rotation.

Accordingly, clockwise or right hand rotation of the knob 132 serves to close the

caps sections

44, 46 into a locked position as desired.

Thus, it may be seen that manipulation of a knob in the counter clockwise direction, for example, loosens and opens the cap sections, allowing a new blade to be placed therein, as well as freeing the spider assembly for rotation into a new position, while clockwise rotation pulls the spider downward, locking the caps in position and securing the spider against further rotation. Limited rotation of the knob serves to open the

caps

44, 46, thus allowing blade changing without raising the locking legs 36 out of engagement with the head 26.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, the operation of the cam adjustment mechanism is shown in greater detail. Thus, FIG. 2 shows a blade having edges E extending somewhat outwardly from the

cap sections

44, 46, is in position in the razor and that the razor is provided with a nger tab 110, shown with the lower portion thereof in a right hand position, as the razor is viewed facing the adjustment tab. The cylindrical guard 64 is in a relatively high position, that is, the supporting pin 62 is relatively close to the bottom of the guard 64, and there is relatively little clearance between the cylinder 64 and the blade edge E and cap section 44.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the tab 110 is shown in an opposite position from that shown in FIG. 2, that is, to the left, if the razor were to be viewed from the side containing the finger tab, and this view shows that the blade edge E is spaced a distance relatively farther apart from the cylindrical guard 64. This gure also shows the tongue 114 of the tab 110 engaging the opening 80 (FIG- URE 5) in the cam 74.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the action of the cam tongue 78 and the slot 66 is shown. Since the slot 66 is in the form of an inclined plane (i.e., a helix, when projected onto a cylinder), it will be seen that motion of the tongue 78 to the left and right causes a rotary as well as an elevational movement of the guard 64. This view also shows the manner in which the retainers 60 accommodate the pins 62. Thus, it will be seen that the movement from left to right of the finger tab 110 causes an opposite movement of the tongue 114, and that the movement of the tongue 114, which registers with the opening 80 of the cam 74, causes rotation of the tongue 78 through a small arc, and this tongue 78 moving in the cam way or slot 66 rotates, and thus raises and lowers, the cylindrical guard 64.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a plan view of the unit with the blade seat 22 and the spider assembly removed therefrom is shown. The View shows the engagement of the

openings

72, 76 with the outside surface of the collar 100 on the body 98 (FIGURE 1). In this view, the guard 64 has been omitted for clarity, but the manner of movement of the tongue 78 through an arc is shown. This figure also shows the provisions of the

slots

90, 92 which serve to lock the cap members into position when the spider assembly is lowered relative to the guard assembly 26.

Since the cam element 74 and the tab 110 are fixed in relation to the head assembly 26, and the guard 64 is situated on the stationary blade seat 22, it is obvious that movement of the stem 48 or other parts of the spider 20, relative to the head assembly 26 and seat 22, cannot affect the adjustment of the clearance setting between the guard 64 and the blade. Likewise, with the construction of this embodiment, it is possible to open the razor and to insert a new blade therein without causing rotation of the spider assembly 20, since rotation occurs only after the

caps

44, 46 are fully opened and no further axial movement of the knob 132 is possible.

The provision of the side wiper unit or blade shield 88, makes it possible to clear a desired area of the face of excess lather before shaving and serves to prevent accidental use of one blade edge of the double edge razor unit.

For purposes of clarity, the handle 30 and the body 98 of the adjusting mechanism 28 and the guard member 26 and the blade seat unit have been shown as separate members. However, it will be understood that one or more of these parts may be integrally formed, or may be assembled in various sub-assemblies before being put together, and the method of assembling the razor or providing integral or separate parts is not an essential part of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there are shown the principal elements f another embodiment of the present invention in an exploded relation, assembly of the parts being as shown therein. These drawings show a spider assembly 144, blade seat assembly 146, a shaving head assembly 148, an adjustment mechanism 150, a handle unit 152, and an operating knob and stem sleeve assembly 154.

The spider assembly 144 is shown to comprise a top spider center bar 156, two legs 158 depending therefrom and terminating in outwardly extending feet 160, each of which supports cross arms 162 containing, at the outer edges thereof, pivot points for the camming legs 164 of mirror image left and right hand

blade cap units

166, 168. The functions of these elements will be described further herein.

The spider assembly 144 also includes a spider stem depending downwardly from the spider center bar 156, and includes a threaded portion 172 at the bottom thereof, said threaded portion having a predetermined extent to be discussed below.

Referring now to the blade seat 146, it will be seen in this embodiment to include a central opening 174 for passage therethrough of the spider stem 170, and two generally upwardly facing, oppositely disposed

blade seat members

176, 178. The blade seat assembly 146 also includes cap guiding cam surfaces disposed at the ends of the seat assembly 146, the purpose of which will be eX- plained in greater detail herein. Along the lateral edges of the blade seat assembly 146 are a plurality of alignment projections 182, the inner corners 184 0f which serve as cam surfaces for engaging the legs 164 and toes 186 (FIG. 7) of the

cap sections

166, 168 in order to open and close these sections during axial movement of the spider assembly 144.

Referring now to the adjustable mechanism 150, the principal elements thereof are an adjusting ring 188, including notched indicia 190, stop means in the form of a projection 192, and a set screw 194 and opening 196 therefor. A threaded sleeve 198 is removably disposed inside the ring 188, and held in place therein by the set screw 194. A combination stop and ratchet spring unit 200 is also provided, and this unit 200 includes a central opening 202, a detent projection 204 disposed on the inner surface of the spring clip 206, and a transverse ring stop arm 208 for engaging the projection 192. The internal threads 210 in the sleeve 198 engage exterior threads 212 on the barrel portion 214 of the guard 146.

The entire adjustment mechanism 150 is contained within the recess 216 in the shaving head assembly 148.

Referring now to the shaving head assembly 148, this unit comprises a body 218 having a central bore 220 therein, and the bore 220 includes a stop unit receiving slot 222, for receiving the stop and ratchet unit 200. In addition, a side wiper 224 is provided along one longitudinal edge of the head 148, while blade guard 226, of lesser height, is provided on the other longitudinal edge of the head 148. Leg-receiving slots 228 are provided to receive the legs 158 of the spider 144. The slots 228 are adapted to register with corresponding slots 230 on the blade seat 146, while complementary cam surfaces 232 are provided for the surfaces 180 on the seat 146. The handle member 152 is preferably formed integrally with the head 148.

Referring again to FIG. 6, a handle sleeve 234 is provided, and the sleeve 234 includes a top surface 236 for engaging the bottom of the barrel portion 214. A collar 238 surrounds a shank 240 on the operating knob 246 beneath an enlarged head portion 242 therefor. A fastener in the form of a shoulder screw 244 is provided for fastening to the internally threaded bottom portion of the stem 172. Thus, the fastener 244 holds the stern 170 and knob 246 together, and the threads 172, cooperating with inner threads (not shown) on the knob 246 allow a limited movement of the spider 144 axially of the stem 170 thereof, in relation to the head 148 and the seat 146, as will be further described herein.

Thus, rotation of the knob 246 toward the left, or, counterclockwise as seen from the bottom of the razor, allows the spider element 144 to be raised, thereby opening the

cap sections

166, 168, as the toes 186 of the legs 164 move to engage the inner corners 184 of the projections 182. When the `full extent of the threads 172 has been raversed by the knob 246, further rotation can no longer raise the spider, and accordingly, the knob 246 and the stern 170 of the spider 144 tend to become locked together. Accordingly, a further 1/2 turn (180) of the knob to the left rotates the spider about the axis of the stem 170, and such rotation also carries the blade which is supported on the spider center bar into a new position. After the spider unit 144 is in its new position, that is, with the blade edges moved to the opposite sides of the razor, relocation and locking of the spider assembly is accomplished by pulling downwardly on the knob 246, wheeupon engagement is made by the legs 158 of the spider with the

slots

228, 230, and by the camming legs 164 of the

caps

166, 168 with the inner corners 184 of the blade seat, thereby securing the spider assembly 144 against further rotation. Accordingly, clockwise or right hand rotation of the knob 246 serves to close the

cap sections

166, 168 into a locked position as desired.

Thus, it may be seen that manipulation of a knob in the counter clockwise direction, for example, oosens and opens the cap sections, allowing a new blade to be placed therein, as well as freeing the spider assembly for rotation into a new position, while clockwise rotation pulls the spider downward, locking the caps in position and securing the spider against further rotation. Limited rotation of the knob serves to open the

caps

166, 168, thus allowing blade changing without raising the legs 158 out of engagement with the head 148.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 through 10, the structure and operation of the adjustment mechanism 150' is shown in greater detail. FIGS. 7 and 9 show that a blade having edges E extend somewhat outwardly in position of use from the

cap sections

166, 168,` and that one of the edges E is exposed and the other is shrouded by the sidewiper 224. The seat 146 is shown in a somewhat raised position in FIG. 7, and a lower position in FIG. 9, where there is relatively little clearance between the guard 226 and the blade edge E and cap section 168.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the spider 144 is shown in an intermediate position, that is, tranverse rather than parallel to the head 148. This position shows the location of the ring 188, sleeve 198, set screw 194, and the elip 206 on the spring and stop unit 200.

FIG. 9 shows the manner of engagement of the threads 212 on the barrel 214 with the threads 210 on the sleeve 198. The top surface 236 of the handle sleeve 234 engages Cil the barrel 214 when the seat 146 is in the lowerrnost position. Rotation of the ring 188 raises the seat 146. The projection 192 engages the stop and spring unit 200 to prevent more than 360 of knob rotation. The detent projection 204, in combination with the indicia 190 provide intermdiate positions of adjustment. i`hese parts are clearly shown in FIG.

The sleeve 198, when locked in place relative to the ring 188 by the set screw 194 acts against the upper surface of the recess 216 to keep the ring 188, and hence the projection 192 against the stop and spring unit 200. In this way, movement of the seat 146 axially of the stem is limited. To remove the seat 146, the sleeve 198 is loosened, the ring 188 is raised in the recess to allow the projection 194 to clear the stop, and the seat is raised by several turns of the ring 188. For removal of the seat 146, the spider 144 is first removed by removing the fastener 244 and removing the spider from the bore 220. Movement of the spider 144 is independent of movement of the seat 146, and therefore, adjustment may be made at any time. By making the collar 238 and handle sleeve 234 the appropriate length, and by allowing the top surface 248 of the operating knob 246 to engage the collar 238 rather than the bottom of the handle 152, no springs need be provided in the knob mechanism to allow seat adjustment after locking the razor since the knob 246 does not rely on the handle position to establish a bearing surface. This is a further novel feature of the invention. In the construction of this embodiment, it is also possible to open the razor and to insert a new biade therein without causing rotation of the spider assembly 144, since rotation occurs only after the

caps

166, 168 are fully opened and no further axial movement of the knob 246 is possible.

The provision of the sidewiper unit or blade shield 226 makes it possible to clear a desired area of the face of excess lather before shaving and serves to prevent accidental use of one blade edge of the double edge razor unit.

It will thus be seen that the present invention provides a novel adjustable turret razor unit, having a number of advantages and characteristics, including those hereinbefore pointed out, and others which are inherent in the invention. Having completed a disclosure of this invention so that those skilled in the art may practice the same, II anticipate that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim;

1. A safety razor unit, comprising, in combination, handle means, shaving head means associated with said handle means, said head means including razor blade seat means, blade guard means, and a blade edge shield on one longitudinal edge of said shaving head means, a spider means disposed at least partially within said handle means, said spider means including a spider stem, blade cap support means, a pair of sectional blade cap units pivotally supported on said support on said means, and adapted to be opened and closed as 4portions thereof contact said shaving head means during axial movement of said spider means, and locking means for engaging said shaving head means and permitting rotation thereof in another axial position of said spider means, means engaging said spider means for axially moving said spider` means to said rotation-permitting position and for rotating said spider means about the axis of said spider stem, and means on said razor unit for varying the clearance between a blade held on said blade seat and said blade guard means.

2. A safety razor unit as defined in claim 1 in which said locking means comprises a pair of leg sections extending downwardly from the center bar of said spider, said leg means having blade cap supports means aixed thereto, and wherein said shaving head means includes slots therein for receiving said leg members.

3. A safety razor unit as defined in claim 1 in which said means for axially moving said spider means cornprises a knob threadedly attached to the end of said spider stern opposite said head member, said knob having, in one position of use, a radially extending surface thereof abutting a stop means which is fixed in relation to said seat means, and wherein said threaded attachment comprises thread means on said stem of a length such that rotation of said knob in one direction with said surface abutting said stop means will raise said spider a distance 1'0 sufficient to disengage said locking means from said having head means to allow rotation of said spider.

4. A safety razor unit as defined in claim 1 in which said cap sections may be completely opened by a movement of said spider means which is insufficient to unlock said locking means on said spider means from said shaving head means.

5. A safety razor unit as defined in claim 1 in which said means for varying the clearance between said blade and said blade guard means comprises adjusting means for moving said blade seat means relative to said shaving head means.

6. A safety razor unit as defined in claim 1 in which said blade guard means includes a guard element movably mounted on said blade seat means, and control means for moving said element, said guard element being adjustable in response to movement of said control means toward and away from one of said blade caps.

7. A safety razor unit as defined in claim 1 in which said blade guard means includes a cylindrical guard element having mounting means eccentrically disposed thereon, and in which said razor includes means for rotating said guard element about said mounting means for raising and lowering said guard element in relation to said cap means.

8. A safety razor unit as defined in claim 7 in which said means for rotating, raising and lowering said guard element include a helically disposed slot in said cylindrical guard element, tongue means received in said slot,

said tongue means being pivotable about a xed point, and finger tab means operable to pivot said tongue means, whereby movement of said finger tab means causes pivoting of said tongue means, and pivoting of said tongue means causes rotation of, and consequent raising and lowering of, said cylindrical guard element.

9. A safety razor unit as defined in claim 5 in which said adjustment means includes threaded barrel means on said blade seat means depending downwardly therefrom and extending into said head means, in which means is provided for preventing rotation of said barrel means and blade seat means relative to said head and handle means, wherein rotatable ring means having threads thereon is provided for engagement with said threaded barrel means, and wherein means is provided for preventing axial movement of said ring means relative to said head and handle means, whereby rotation of said ring means causes axial movement of said blade seat means relative to said head and handle means.

10. A safety razor unit as defined in claim 9 which further includes stop means on said ring means for limiting rotation of said ring means and thereby limiting axial movement of said blade seat means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,182,571 l2/l939 Savary 30-83 2,698,995 l/ 1955 Anastasia 30-60.5 2,848,807 8/ 1958 Shnitzler et al. 30-60.5 3,038,254 6/1962 Scheminger 30-605 3,327,387 6/1967 Harr et al. 30-34.2 3,363,313 1/1968 Kuhnl 30-41 ROBERT C. RIORDON, Primary Examiner G. F. GRAFEL, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 30-61