Abstract:
In a shaving implement a handle is provided that includes a body section and an end portion projecting outwardly therefrom. An axle member is rotatably coupled to the end portion for selective angular movement relative thereto. A razor cartridge is coupled to the axle member and includes at least one razor blade that defines an at least partially exposed cutting edge. The razor cartridge is rotatably moveable with the axle member and the detent is provided for releasably retaining the axle member and thereby the razor cartridge in the user selected angular position relative to the handle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is entitled to the benefit of and incorporates by reference essential subject matter disclosed in Provisional Patent Application No. 60/482,534 filed on Jun. 25, 2003. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention generally relates to shaving implements and more particularly to a razor wherein a razor cartridge is movable in a ratchet-like manner relative to a handle to which the cartridge is coupled.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Modem wet shave razors typically employ a blade carrying razor cartridge that pivots or rotates about an axis that is positioned approximately perpendicular to a handle forming part of the razor. While a wet shave razor configured in this manner can follow the contours of a user&#39;s skin better than a razor employing a fixed cartridge, the razor can be difficult to properly position when shaving areas such as an armpit. To achieve a close shave in such an area, one must orient one&#39;s hand in uncomfortable positions so that the razor cartridge, and thereby the exposed razor blades carried therein, can be drawn over all of the skin to be shaved. Accordingly, there is a need for a wet shave razor that allows a user to appropriately orient the razor cartridge relative to the area being shaved without having to uncomfortably contort one&#39;s arm or hand.  
         [0004]     Another difficulty associated with the above-described wet shave razors is that the razor cartridge is only able to cut hair when stroked in one particular direction. This results in a user having to reposition the razor between successive strokes. This adds to the amount of time one spends shaving as well as increases the potential for shaving discomfort.  
         [0005]     Based on the foregoing, it is the general object of the present invention to provide a shaving implement that improves upon or overcomes the problems and drawbacks associated with prior art wet shave razors.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention resides in a shaving implement that includes a handle having a body section and an end portion projecting outwardly from the body section. An axle member is rotatably coupled to the end portion for selective angular movement relative thereto. A razor cartridge is also provided and includes at least one razor blade defining an at least partially exposed cutting edge. The razor cartridge is coupled to the axle member such that it is rotatable therewith. Detent means releasably retain the axle member in a user selected angular position relative to the handle. Accordingly, during a shaving operation, should a user wish to selectively rotate the razor cartridge to a different position relative to the handle, the detent means will ensure that the cartridge is releasably retained in the desired position.  
         [0007]     In an embodiment of the present invention, the axle member includes a mounting portion rotatably receivable in a bore defined by the end portion of the razor handle. The detent means is defined in part by at least two recesses circumferentially located on the mounting portion. The detent means further includes a detent member moveably engageable with the recesses. Biasing means are provided for normally urging the detent member toward the mounting portion of the axle member. Accordingly, rotation of the cartridge results in ratchet-like movement between the axle member and the handle such that a force exerted by the biasing means on the detent member must be overcome, thereby forcing the detent member away from the recess until the next successive recess is encountered.  
         [0008]     In another embodiment of the present invention, the razor cartridge includes at least one first razor blade defining an at least partially exposed first cutting edge, and at least one second razor blade defining an at least partially exposed second cutting edge. The first and second razor blades are positioned relative to one another such that during a shaving operation, the razor cartridge cuts hair when drawn over a user&#39;s skin in either of two generally opposite directions.  
         [0009]     An advantage of the present invention is that the razor cartridge can be rotated to a desired position and the detent means will releasably retain the cartridge in that position. This allows a user to shave in normally awkward to reach places without having to uncomfortably contort his/her hand or arm.  
         [0010]     Another advantage of the present invention is that in one embodiment the user can orient the razor cartridge to a desired position, as well as cut hair from a surface by stroking the razor in either of two generally opposed directions. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a handle forming part of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the handle of  FIG. 1  taken along line  2 - 2 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of an axle member forming part of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the axle member of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the axle member of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a rear elevational view of a razor cartridge forming part of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the razor cartridge of  FIG. 6 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the razor cartridge of  FIG. 6 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is a rear elevational view of a razor embodying the present invention with the cartridge shown substantially perpendicular to the razor handle.  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is cross-sectional view of the razor of  FIG. 9  taken along lines  10 - 10 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view of the razor of  FIG. 10  as bounded by the line labeled “A”.  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is a rear elevational view of a razor embodying the present invention with the cartridge shown rotated 90 degrees.  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the razor of  FIG. 13  taken along line  13 - 13 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view of the razor of  FIG. 12  as bounded by the line labeled “B”.  
         [0025]      FIG. 15  is a rear elevational view of a razor embodying the present invention with the cartridge shown rotated an amount equal to an angle α.  
         [0026]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the razor of  FIG. 15 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0027]     As shown in  FIG. 1 a  razor handle generally designated by the reference number  10  includes an end portion  12  defining a first bore  14  extending therethrough. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle  10  includes a pair of generally opposed indentations  16  positioned to afford a user a better grip on the handle during a shaving operation. The end portion  12  of the handle  10  defines a second bore  18 , the purpose for which will be explained below, substantially perpendicular to, and intersecting the first bore  14 .  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the end portion  12  of the handle  10  is shown as an individual piece that includes an extension  20  projecting into a body section  22  of the handle  10 . However, the present invention is not limited in this regard as the handle  10  and the end portion  12  can be formed from a single piece of material.  
         [0029]     As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , an axle member generally designated by the reference number  24  includes a mounted portion  26 , which as will be explained below, is rotatably positionable within the first bore  14 ,  FIGS. 1 and 2 . A lip  28  forms part of the mounting portion  26  which also includes a plurality of V-shaped grooves  30  equally spaced around a periphery of the mounting portion. While the grooves  30  have been shown and described as being equally spaced, the present invention is not limited in this regard as the grooves can also be unequally spaced without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention. In addition, while V-shaped grooves have been shown and described, the present invention is not limited in this regard either as other groove shapes, or spherical depressions can also be employed.  
         [0030]     The axle member  24  includes a pair of arcuate rails  32  spaced apart from, and substantially parallel to one another. As will be explained below, the rails are adapted to releasably retain a razor cartridge on the handle. The axle member  24  defines a slot  34 , shown in the illustrated embodiment as being t-shaped, to allow the rails  32  to resiliently flex toward one another. The flexing motion of the rails allows a razor cartridge to be releasably mounted to the cartridge retainer. While a pair of arcuate rails  32  have been shown and described, the present invention is not limited in this regard as other cartridge mounting configurations, such as a posts or retractable pins can be incorporated into the axle member without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention. In addition, while a t-shaped slot  34  has been shown and described the present invention is not limited in this regard either as any shaped slot that would allow the rails  32  to flex toward one another can also be substituted.  
         [0031]     As shown in  FIGS. 6-8 , a razor cartridge body generally designated by the reference number  36  includes a pair of substantially parallel, spaced apart mounting extensions  38  projecting outwardly from a cartridge body  40 . As best seen in  FIG. 8 , the mounting extensions each define a slot  42  (only one shown) defining a shape complementary to and adapted to slidingly receive at least a portion of the arcuate rails  32  thereby releasably retaining the razor cartridge  36  on the handle  10 . A central rib  44 , the purpose for which will be explained below, also projects outwardly from the cartridge body  40  and is located between, and substantially parallel to the mounting extensions  38 . In addition, the razor cartridge body  36  includes a recessed area  46  defined by a peripheral edge  48  and a pair of generally opposed, spaced apart, stepped portions  50 , the purpose of which will be explained in detail below.  
         [0032]     As shown in  FIGS. 9-11 , an assembled razor generally designated by the reference number  52  has the mounting portion  26  of the axle member  24  rotatably positioned in the bore  14  of the upper portion  12  of the handle  10 . As best seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a razor cartridge insert  54  is positioned in the recess  45 ,  FIG. 7 , and includes pairs of generally opposed blades  56  that allow the razor  52  to shave hirsute surfaces by being drawn in either of two generally opposite directions. However, the present invention is not limited in this regard as the razor cartridge insert  54  can also contain a single or multiple blades that provide for unidirectional or bi-directional shaving.  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIG. 11 , a ball  58  and a spring  60  are positioned in the bore  18  defined by the upper portion  12  of the handle  10 . The ball and spring,  58  and  60  respectively, are retained in the bore  18  via a plug  62  inserted therein. During operation, the ball  58  is urged against the mounting portion  26  of the axle member  24  and engages one of the grooves  30 , thereby releasably retaining the razor cartridge body  36  in place. To rotate the razor cartridge body  36  to a different position, the biasing force of the spring  60  must be overcome forcing the ball  58  to slide into the bore  18  until the next successive groove  30  is encountered. In this manner a ratchet-like movement between the axle member  24  and the handle  10  is achieved.  
         [0034]     A second ball  64  and a second spring  66  are inserted into a bore  68  defined by a retainer  70 . The retainer  70  extends into the mounting member  26 , a second plug  72  retains the second ball and spring,  64  and  66  respectively, in the bore  68 . The second spring  66  urges the second ball  64  against the above-described central rib  44 , thereby urging the razor cartridge body  36  which is rotatably attached to the axle member  24 , toward a neutral position.  
         [0035]     As shown in  FIGS. 12-14 , the razor cartridge body is rotated 90 degrees from the position illustrated in  FIGS. 10-12 . In addition, the razor cartridge insert  54  includes a pair of generally opposed tabs  74  that engage the stepped portions  50  thereby causing the razor cartridge insert to be retained by the razor cartridge body  36 . Turning to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the razor cartridge is shown positioned at a location between those shown in  FIGS. 9 and 12 .  
         [0036]     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.