US3555681A - Adjustable ribbon-type razor - Google Patents

Abstract

AN ADJUSTABLE RIBBON-TYPE RAZOR IN WHICH ADJUSTING MEANS IS PROVIDED FOR MOVING THE GUARD OF THE BLADE DISPOSED BENEATH THE BLADE INWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY OF THE BLADE EDGE TO VARY THE BLADE-TO-GUARD DISTANCE. PREFERABLY, THE BLADE GUARD IS FORMED AS A PART OF A COVER PLATE WHICH COVERS THE FRONT EDGE OF THE MAGAZINE BODY. VARIOUS ADJUSTING MEANS, INCLUDING SLIDING BARS HAVING RAMPS THEREON, ROTATABLE DISCS HAVING RAMP OR CAM MEANS THEREON, AND ROTATABLE ECCENTRIC BARS OR CAMS ARE PROVIDED, IN COMBINATION WITH THE MANUAL CONTROL OR FINGER TAB MEANS THEREON FOR MOVING THE MAGAZING COVER TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE REMAINDER OF THE BODY, THEREBY MOVING THE GUARD ASSOCIATED THEREWITH CLOSER OR FARTHER AWAY FROM THE BLADE EDGE. PREFERABLY, THE COMBINED COVER AND GUARD ASSEMBLY IS ATTACHED TO THE MAGAZINE BODY AT A POINT SPACED APART FROM THE EDGE OF THE BRIDGE WHICH SUPPORTS THE RAZOR BLADE, AND THE INHERENT STIFFNESS OF THE COVER PROVIDES RESISTANCE TO MOVEMENT WHICH IS CAUSED BY ACTUATING THE ADJUSTMENT MEANS. INDICIA ARE PROVIDED FOR DISPLAYING THE RELATIVE POSITION OF THE ADJUSTING MEANS OR THE CONTROL MEANS ASSOCIATED THEREWITH.

Description

Jan. 19, 1971, Q L, K, KUHNL 3,555,681

ADJUSTABLE RIBBON-TYPE RAZ OR Filed May 8, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR LEOPOLD K. KUHNL United States Patent US. Cl. 30-3465 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An adjustable ribbon-type razor in which adjusting means is provided for moving the guard of the blade disposed beneath the blade inwardly and outwardly of the blade edge to vary the blade-to-guard distance. Preferably, the blade guard is formed as a part of a cover plate which covers the front edge of the magazine body. Various adjusting means, including sliding bars having ramps thereon, rotatable discs having ramp or cam means thereon, and rotatable eccentric bars or cams are provided, in combination with the manual control or finger tab means thereon for moving the magazine cover toward and away from the remainder of the body, thereby moving the guard associated therewith closer or farther away from the blade edge. Preferably, the combined cover and guard assembly is attached to the magazine body at a point spaced apart from the edge of the bridge which supports the razor blade, and the inherent stiffness of the cover provides resistance to movement which is caused by actuating the adjustment means. Indicia are provided for displaying the relative position of the adjusting means or the control means associated therewith.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the invention The field of the present invention is that of shaving devices, and more particularly magazines for ribbon-type razors which may be used in association with a handle or the like to provide a razor unit which includes a ribbon or band-type blade which is moved across a bridge portion of the magazine from a supply means to a take-up means.

More particularly, the field of the invention is that of replaceable razor magazines containing ribbon-type blades for use with a razor handle, in which means are provided for adjusting the spacing between the blade guard and the edge of the blade trained across the bridge portion of the magazine. In particular, the present invention provides a variety of designs in which the guard 0 means exposed somewhat forwardly of and below a blade edge is integrally formed with a cover plate which covers the front face of the magazine body, and in which the cover plate itself is deflected through a given distance by a simple and effective adjustment means to vary the guard-to-blade distance, and thereby vary the blade edge exposure and shaving angle to accommodate the preference of an individual person.

(2) Description of the prior art Band or ribbon-type razor units which include a ribbon-type blade, disposed in a magazine, and movable across a shaving bridge are known in the prior art, and, in recent years, such units have had widespread commercial success. Such razor units, which include replaceable magazines having blade supplies therein, are advantageous insofar as they eliminate the need for handling blades when changing from a used or worn out to a fresh blade. In conjunction with recent advances in the technology of razor blade materials and blade edge forming and coating, the advances made in magazine design have made possible razor units for commercial use, in

which the segment of the blade unit used for shaving may be used a plurality of times, and in which the blade may thereafter be advanced to a succeeding position. Thus, the economics of multiple blade use have made possible the provision of a practical throw away cartridge which will last for several weeks or more, and which may then be thrown away and replaced with a new unit,

Another concept which has had very widespread commercial success in recent years has been that of the adjustable razor, particularly the adjustable individual double-edge blade type razor, where various mechanical parts supporting the blade could be moved in relation to each other to adjust the angle through which the blade was deflected, or the distance between the guard means and the blade edge. Such adjustment may move the guard a vertical or horizontal distance, or both, or flex a blade held in the head of the safety razor unit.

However, heretofore, there has not been a reliable razor magazine containing a ribbon-type blade which provided a simple adjustable feature desired by many shavers who appreciate the convenience, light weight and thin profile of the band or ribbon-type razor blade. However, making an adjustable razor of this sort has been somewhat diflicut, since, unlike a conventional safety razor using an individual blade, the blade in a ribbon or band-type razor may not be handled intermediate the ends thereof, and particularly at the shaving edge, without destroying the shaving effectiveness thereof. Thus, it is not practical to engage a ribbon-type blade along an edge thereof to impart a curl thereto, since any edge dulling which might occur on the edge of the blade lying toward the supply spool would, upon advancing the blade, move into a shaving position where such dull edge would destroy the comfort of the shave obtained with a sharp blade.

Likewise, in modern ribbon-type razor blade cartridge designs, the blade is moved from a reel or coil across a bridge to a takeup reel or like means, and is generally held in position on the bridge by a twist imparted thereto, in combination with means engaging the rear edge of the blade. However, such blade is not mechanically clamped between metal members adjacent both its edges, as in the case of a conventional safety razor, since such construction would necessitate loosening portions of the blade holder or support means before advancing the blade to a successive position, and this feature is not desirable in a commercial construction.

Accordingly, there has been a need for a simple, reli able, and economical adjustable razor magazine which can be used in a magazine type razor. There has also been a need for such a unit which would provide the features of adjustability without adding significantly to the cost thereof, or calling for alterations in the method of manufacturing known band razors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, in view of the lack of such satisfactory adjustable magazine units in the prior art, the object of the invention is to provide a magazine for a ribbontype razor which includes means thereon for adjusting the exposure of the blade and the effective shaving angle of the razor.

A further object is to provide a simple and inexpensive unit in which the blade guard may be moved relative to the blade edge or to the bridge means which supports the blade edge, Another object is to provide a magazine for a ribbon-type razor in which an adjustable guard, integrally formed with the magazine cover plate, is moved relative to said blade edge to provide varying blade angles and exposures.

An additional object is to provide an adjustment means for a magazine type razor which includes a ramp mecha- 3 nism for moving the guard element away from and toward the blade edge in response to manipulation of a control member.

A further object is to provide some or all of the above described features in a simple, economical and reliable razor unit, particularly in a unit in which the adjusting means engages the guard along the front face of the magazine.

A still further object is to provide a razor magazine which includes means for adjusting the blade angle and exposure, but in which the other and principal remaining portions of the magazine are conventional, and accordingly, wherein manufacturing such improved magazines does not require substantial modification of existing magazine designs.

A still further object is to provide an adjustable magazine for a ribbon-type razor in which a cover member and guard unit are integrally formed, and in which the cover is displaced from an initial position to an adjusted position against the inherent resiliency of the cover member.

Still another object is to provide a razor magazine in which the blade advancing means and the adjusting means are disposed on, and operate from, the front face or shaving portion of the magazine.

The present invention achieves these objects, and other objects which are inherent therein, by providing a magazine for a ribbon-type razor in which the magazine body includes means for housing a blade supply therein a top bridge across which the blade is trained in use, which includes guard means disposed beneath a front edge of the bridge means, and which further includes controlling means associated with the adjusting means, whereby the operator of a razor which includes the magazine may move the control means to different positions in order to move the guard means relative to the bridge means for adjusting shaving angle and degree of blade exposure.

The exact manner in which the invention is carried out will become more clear as the description proceeds, particularly in connection with the description of the preferred embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAI/VINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view showing the razor magazine of present invention with one embodiment of the adjusting means contained therein;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the magazine unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view, partially in plan and partially in section, showing one position of the adjustment means in the magazine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the magazine unit shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of still further modified form of the invention;

'FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the razor magazine of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view, with portions broken away, showing portions of the adjusting mechanism of the razor magazine of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, the invention is best illustrated by reference to the various embodiments of the invention there shown. Thus, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a magazine unit 20, which customarily includes a blade B, as being supported in a razor handle 22 to which is attached a frame element 24 having a clamping means in the form of a flange 26 or the like. The body 28 of the razor magazine is of conventional construction, and is removably disposed in place in the frame portion 24 of the handle by manipulation of the clip means 30 or the like, which are conventional in the prior art, and of which further description will be omitted.

The magazine unit 20, which includes the body 28, is preferably provided with a separately formed front cover 32, which includes laterally elongated edge portions 34 defining an opening therein to facilitate cleaning, and guard means 36 for the edge of a blade disposed across the bridge portion 38 of the razor. The bridge 38 extends between two generally arcuate end portions 40, 42 of the band razor body 28. The blade B (FIG. 3) is trained over the ends 40, 42 and is moved across the bridge 38 by means of an advancing lever 44, which is connected by means of an internally toothed ring 46 to a shaft 48 which includes a spool blade-advancing or like means (not shown), which is well known in the band razor art.

The cover plate 32 also includes outer right and left hand top edge portions 50, 52 disposed respectively adjacent the arcuate end portions 40, 42 of the body 28. Guard stops 54, 56 are disposed just outside the edges 50, '52 of the cover plate 32, and are preferably formed integrally or otherwise closely associated with, the arcuate edges 40, 42 of the body 28 of the unit 20. The cover portion 32 also includes retaining means 56 on either side thereof for clipping around the side edge portions of the body 28. Since these means 56 are preferably integrally formed with the cover 32, and are firmly clipped to the body 28, the movement of the guard 3-6 takes place by reason of the inherent resiliency of the cover 32.

Referring now to the adjusting means of the invention, this means includes a slot or recess 58 disposed in a front portion of the body 28, in which a rectangular bar 60 is disposed. The bar 60 includes ramps 62, 64 thereon, as well as a marking index 66 on the bar to register with the marking means in the form of indicia 68 disposed on the front cover 32. In this embodiment, the cover plate 32 includes a recess 70 on the inner surface thereof which is approximately the same length as the left hand ramp. The provision of the recess 70 allows the left hand ramp 64 to be contained therein upon movement of the bar 60 to the extreme right hand position. Likewise, the end wall 76 of the recess 70 prevents the bar 60 from moving outwardly of the razor unit to the right and thus prevents loss thereof.

In the use of the adjusting means, the bar 60 is engaged by the fingers of the operator, and moved from left to right, in order to move the cover plate 32, and consequently the guard 36, closer toward or farther away from the edge E of the blade B. Since two ramps 62, 64 are provided, the forces moving the front cover plate 32 outwardly are distributed more uniformly about the cover plate 32 than they would be in the case of a single ramp or cam.

Since the included angle between the operating faces ramps 62, 64 and the length of the bar 60 is rather small, the bar 60 will not move under application of force thereto by the plate 32, but will move only in response to force applied to the end 72 thereof.

In this embodiment, the lever 44 is shown as tightly abutting the cover plate 32, and since the lever 44 and ring 46 are plastic, as is the cover plate 32, the provision of the lever serves to add some stiffness to the cover plate 32 without destroying the resiliency thereof. Thus, addi tional spring action is provided without stressing those portions of the cover to which the clips 56 are attached.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a different embodiment of the invention is shown. In this unit 20a, the body 28a and the cover member 32a are generally similar to the counterparts thereof in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Also, the ring 46a, lever 44a, and the edge portions 34a defining the opening in the plate 32a are similar to those shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. This razor magazine 20a is also shown to be held in place by a clip 30a and a flange 26a in a razor frame 24a. Arcuate edge portions 40a, 42a include guard stops 54a, 56a integrally formed therewith, and the guard member 36a is disposed in the same relative position therebetween.

However, the adjustment means differs insofar as the recess 58a accommodates a bar 60a which includes an arm 78 depending downwardly from the outer end portion 72a thereof. The arm 78 terminates in a finger 80, which is adapted to be received in any one of an arcuate array of holding means in the form of notches 82 which are disposed in the sidewall portion of the body 28a. As best shown in FIG. 5, the bar 60a is rectangular in shape, or possesses another non-circular shape, so that movement about the long axis thereof exposes a point, corner or projection 84 thereof. This projection 84 contacts the inside surface 86 of the cover member 32a along the length thereof, and displaces it outwardly from the body 28a and thus moves the guard outwardly from the edge of the blade. The notches 82 serve as means for holding the arm 78 in a desired position of use, and may be accompanied, if desired, by numerical or other indicia to display the relative position of the blade guard. Other elements of this form of the invention, such as the clip means 56a and the like, are similar to their counterparts shown in FIGS. 1-3. The operation of this unit is the same as that of the other unit, except that the control means and the adjusting means differ in detail.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, movement of the bar 60a to a 45 angle position by means of the arm 78 will cause greatest outward displacement of the cover plate 32a, whereas allowing the arm 78 to move to a vertical position causes the bar 68 to lie flat in the recess 58a. Thus, a 45 angle movement range is provided in this embodiment, for moving the guard through a plurality of different positions ranging from minimum to maximum displacement of the cover 32a.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, a still further embodiment of the present invention is shown.

These figures illustrate a magazine body 2812 held in place in a handle 22b by a clip 30b, and the flange 26b of the frame 24b. Blade advancing means includes a lever 44b, and a ring 46b such as those previously described. The body 28b also includes guard stops 54b, 56b, and Wall portions 34b defining an opening in the cover plate 32b. The guard 36b is situated on the top or vertically upper portion of the cover 32b, between the stops 54b, 56b. However, in this embodiment, the cover member 32b also includes slots 88, 90 which are cut in an arcuate pattern, and which define openings in the cover 32b. Control means in the form of a finger tab 92 are attached to an adjusting means in the form of a plate member 94, which, in this embodiment, includes camming means in the form of inclined ramps 96, 98.

The adjusting means or plate member 94 includes a pivot point 100, generally disposed centrally of the plate 94, through which a shaft 102 extends into the body 28b. Thus, movement of the control means 92 by the finger tab 92 or otherwise. moves the adjusting means or plate 94 through an angle, and the ramps 96, 98 engage the cover 32 at the edges of the openings 88, 90, thereby raising the cover 32b and the blade guard 36b associated therewith.

The openings or slots 88, 90 provide a means for preventing undue rotation in one direction of the adjustment means 94, as well as providing an opening wherein the cams 96, 98 may fit to allow the cover 32b to lie flush over the body 28b. Since the adjusting means 94, which is shown in the form of a plate or a disc, is of a certain thickness, the front cover 32b contains a recessed, inner face portion 104, so that the upper, inner edge portions 106 of the guard 32b may lie flush against the front surface of the body 38b.

In operation, the finger tab moves up and down, causing rotation of the adjusting means 94 and movement of the ramps 96, 98 to displace the cover 32b forward. In a preferred construction, the upper right hand edge of the opening or slot 88 and the lower left hand of the slot 90 are disposed approximately opposite each other, so that the degree of lift on either side of the pivot point'100 is substantially the same. The clip means 56b is shown to be the same as those used in the above described embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that any other suitable means of securing a portion of the cover 32, 32a, 32b, to the body 28, 28a, 28b may be used.

Likewise, it is shown herein that the guard 36, and its counterpart have been integrally formed with the cover unit 32. However, these units may be formed separately if desired, or may be arranged in other suitable forms to bring about the results desired, provided that there is an operative association between the adjustment means and the guard unit.

Since the ramps used in the embodiments of the invention shown inuFIGS. 1 through 3 and 6 through 8 are of a rather gradual slope, these adjustment means tend to maintain a stable position in use.

As used herein, or in the claims, the terms blade edge exposure and blade angle, or their equivalents, are intended to refer to the fact that as the guard member 36 moves outwardly from the edge of the bridge 38 or from the blade edge E, the effect is to reduce the amount of blade expo-sure, since the shaving angle is determined between a portion of the radius of the guard 36 and edge of the blade.

Likewise, since the guard is moved outwardly, .away from the blade edge in certain positions of adjustment, there is less blade exposure in use between the bladeedge and the guard member, although the blade itself does not move relative to the bridge or to the external razor clamp or flange 26. Other obvious constructional variations will be obvious to those skilled in the razor art.

It will thus be seen, by reference to the accompanying drawings and the description herein that the present invention provides a novel adjustable razor magazine assembly having numerous advantages and characteristics, including those hereinbefore pointed out, and others which are inherent in the invention.

I claim:

1. A ribbon-type razor magazine having a self-contained adjustment mechanism, said magazine including a body portion, a bridge portion forming a part of said body and extending across the top thereof, a front edge on said bridge, means in said body for receiving a supply of a ribbon-type razor blade within said body and for training said blade across said bridge with the sharpened edge of said blade lying parallel to said front edge of said bridge, a magazine body cover element covering the front portion of said body and having a blade guard portion formed at the top thereof, said cover being secured against relative vertical movement and being biased by its natural resiliency to a position closely overlying said magazine body whereby said guard is positioned so as to be parallel to and closely spaced apart from the edge of a blade lying on said bridge, actuating means disposed between said cover element and said magazine body for engaging an inner surface of said cover element and for urging at least a portion of said cover and said blade guard associated therewith outwardly from said body, whereby said guard is moved to a position farther spaced apart from said blade edge, and means adapted to be gripped by the fingers of a user to move said actuating means for adjustment of the position of said guard.

2. A magazine as defined in claim 1 in which said actuating means comprises a ramp member which is movable parallel to said front edge of said bridge, said ramp means being disposed beneath and closely spaced apart from said edge of said bridge, and in which the end portion of said ramp comprises said means adapted to be gripped by said fingers.

3. A magazine as defined in claim 1 in which said actuating means comprises a member having a pivot point disposed generally centrally thereof, in which said cover element has cooperating means thereon for engaging said pivot point whereby said actuator may be rotated about said pivot point, in which said member includes at least two inclined ramp portions thereon for engaging cooperating portions of said cover element upon rotation of said member, said ramp means being formed along a generally arcuate path, and in which said member further includes a radially outwardly extending portion which comprises said means adapted to be gripped by the fingers.

4. A magazine as defined in claim 1 in which said actuating means comprises a bar having a non-circular cross section, said bar being disposed with the long axis thereof generally parallel to the edge of said bridge means, wherein said bar is held against translational movement in relation to said body, said bar also having a portion thereof engaging said cover element and being adapted to be rotated about its axis, and in which said bar further includes a lever portion extending outwardly from an end portion thereon, said lever comprising said means adapted to be gripped by the fingers of a user.

5. A magazine as defined in claim 1 in which said magazine also includes a blade advancing lever associated therewith, said lever having a portion thereof snugly engaging said cover element in one position of use of said lever, to impart increased stiffness to said cover element.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,224,090 12/1965 Kruger 30-63 3,456,342 7/1969 Dawidowicz 3040.1 3,364,570 1/1968 Perry 30346.5 3,364,571 1/1968 Perry 3040.1X

ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Primary Examiner G. F. GRAF EL, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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