Double edged blade grip assembly

A double edged blade assembly includes a double edged blade. Additionally, the double edged blade assembly includes two blade grips coupled to the double edged blade. The two blade grips are coupled to the double edged blade at opposite ends of the double edged blade.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to a blade grip assembly for a double edged razor blade.

Certain services, such as dermatological services, rely on a flexibility of razor blades to perform certain procedures. For example, a dermatologist may grip blunt sides of a razor blade between a thumb and an additional gripping finger to flex the razor blade in a manner that limits a cutting surface of the razor blade to provide cutting accuracy. Flexing the razor blade by moving the thumb and the additional gripping finger toward each other results in less of the razor blade in contact with an object being cut. However, such gripping of the razor blade may increase a likelihood of injuries to the dermatologist, or other user, that grips and flexes the razor blade. Further, gripping the blunt sides of the razor blade directly may lead to slippage in a grip applied to the razor blade, which may result in an inaccurate cut.

SUMMARY

The disclosed embodiments provide blade grips and assemblies that include the blade grips. In accordance with an embodiment, a double edged blade assembly includes a double edged blade and two blade grips coupled to the double edged blade. The two blade grips are coupled to the double edged blade at opposite ends of the double edged blade.

In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a double edged blade grip includes a first curved side that in operation overlays a portion of a double edged blade when coupled to the double edged blade. Additionally, the double edged blade grip includes a second curved side that in operation provides a grip surface during use. The second curved side contains a plurality of teeth extending from a body of the double edged blade grip. Further, the double edged blade grip has at least one boss integrally formed on a coupling side of the double edged blade grip. The at least one boss is deformed plastically to secure the double edged blade grip to the double edged blade.

In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a blade grip includes a first curved side with a first length and a second curved side with a second length. The first length is longer than the second length. The blade grip also includes a plurality of teeth extending from the second curved side, and the teeth provide a gripping surface. Further, the blade grip includes a coupling side that in operation couples with a blade. Furthermore, the blade grip has at least one boss extending from the coupling side, and the at least one boss in operation engages with the blade to secure the blade grip to the blade.

Additional details of the disclosed embodiments are provided below in the detailed description and corresponding drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Unless otherwise specified, any use of any form of the terms “connect,” “engage,” “couple,” “attach,” or any other term describing an interaction between elements is not meant to limit the interaction to direct interaction between the elements and may also include indirect interaction between the elements described. Further, any use of any form of the terms “connect,” “engage,” “couple,” “attach,” or any other term describing an interaction between elements includes items integrally formed together without the aid of extraneous fasteners or joining devices. In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to”. Unless otherwise indicated, as used throughout this document, “or” does not require mutual exclusivity.

The subject matter disclosed in the present application provides an assembly for securely grasping a razor blade. In specific applications, it is desirable for a user of a razor blade to securely, grasp non-cutting edges of a razor blade to provide a flex on the razor blade during a cutting operation. Accordingly, blade grips installed on the non-cutting edges of the razor blade provide locations to securely grasp the razor blade to provide the flex while minimizing grasp slippage and contact with the cutting edges of the razor blade. By way of example, a dermatologist may use the razor blade assembly disclosed herein to take a sample of tissue during a biopsy procedure.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a double edged blade assembly100, in accordance with an embodiment. The double edged blade assembly100includes a double edged blade102and blade grips104A and104B. The blade grips104A and104B couple to the double edged blade102along surfaces perpendicular to blade edges106A and106B. Additionally, the double edged blade102may include an opening108, which is a standard cutout shape for double edged razor blades. It may be appreciated that the shape of the opening108may vary. For example, the opening108may be limited to portions of the double edged blade102that mates with the blade grips104A and104B to increase rigidity and robustness of the double edged blade102. The opening108may also increase in size in comparison to the opening108depicted inFIG. 1. Increasing the size of the opening108may increase flexibility of the double edged blade102, which may be desirable for cutting materials with heightened levels of precision.

In the illustrated embodiment, a user, such as a dermatologist, is able to grasp the blade grips104A and104B with two fingers. The user is then able to flex the double edged blade102by applying a force in directions110A and110B on the blade grips104A and104B, respectively, in such a manner that the blade grips104A and104B move toward one another. The force applied on the blade grips104A and104B results in the double edged blade102flexing into a shallow ‘u’ shape.

While the double edged blade102is flexed, the user applies one of the blade edges106A or106B to a surface of an object for cutting. For example, the user may adjust how much pressure is applied on the blade grips104A and104B to create a deeper or shallower flex in the double edged blade102. The deeper flex may provide a small and precise cutting surface on the blade edges106A or106B, while the shallower flex may provide a broader cutting surface on the blade edges106A or106B.

Turning toFIG. 2, a perspective view of the blade grip104of the double edged blade assembly100is depicted, in accordance with an embodiment. The illustrated blade grip104may be either the blade grip104A or the blade grip104B. That is, the blade grips104A and104B ofFIG. 1may be formed from the same mold resulting in the blade grips104A and104B that are substantially identical. As used herein, the term substantially identical may include minor variations resulting from a manufacturing process. For example, the blade grips104A and104B may be made using the same mold. The blade grip104may be made from plastic or any other moldable material. Further, in some embodiments, the blade grip104is made from any moldable material that is capable of being sterilized.

The blade grip104includes a blade side202and a grip side204. When coupled to the double edged blade102, the blade side202of the blade grip104is in contact with the double edged blade102. The grip side204of the blade grip104includes teeth206extending from a body208of the blade grip104. The grip side204may curve away from the double edged blade102, which reduces a likelihood of a user's fingers slipping from the grip side204of the blade grip104. Further, the teeth206are integrally formed in the blade grip104and break up a surface of the grip side204to provide an enhanced gripping surface. For example, the teeth206increase friction on the fingers of a user during operation such that slippage of the blade grip104is reduced. Additionally, in an embodiment, the grip side204both with the teeth206and in an embodiment without the teeth206may include a rubber coating or an integral rubber portion to provide an enhanced gripping surface. In another embodiment, the entire blade grip104is elastomeric to provide the enhanced gripping surface.

FIG. 3is a view of a coupling side302of the blade grip104, in accordance with an embodiment. The coupling side302of the blade grip104is a portion of the blade grip that interacts with the double edged blade102to secure the blade grip104to the double edged blade102. The coupling side302includes a central boss304and two side bosses306A and306B that extend in a direction away from the coupling side302.

In an embodiment, the central boss304and the side bosses306A and306B are shaped to interact with the opening108and corner notches504A and504B of the double edged blade102, as illustrated inFIG. 5. For example, the ‘T’ shape of the central boss304is shaped to align with an end portion of the opening108. Similarly, the side bosses306A and306B are shaped to align with the notches504A and504B and to run alongside portions of the double edged blade102.

In an embodiment, the central boss304includes a recess308. The recess308may be produced during a molding process of the blade grip104. For example, when designing plastic components that are formed in molds, it may be desirable to avoid thick areas of plastic whenever possible. The central boss304, as the largest individual piece protruding from the blade grip104benefits from the recess308by removing a cross-section of material from the blade grip104. Removing the cross-section of material may avoid sink effects in the plastic, reduce material usage, and make the blade grip104lighter.

While the double edged blade102is described herein as a blade with two edges, in some embodiments, the double edged blade102may be replaced with a single edged blade. In such embodiments, the blade grips104A and104B may remain mostly unchanged with any differences resulting from a change in a shape and a location of the opening108and the notches504A and504B on the single edged blade. For example, the bosses304,306A, and306B may be reshaped, moved, and/or removed from the coupling side302of the blade grips104to align with any openings or notches that may be present on the single edged blade.

FIG. 4is a side view of the blade grip104, in accordance with an embodiment. In an embodiment, the teeth206include a step402, which extends away from the body208of the blade grip104. Further, the teeth206include an angled surface404. The angled surface404and the step402enable gripping of the double edged blade assembly at a position further from a point where the blade grip104couples to the double edged blade102. That is, the step402positions the teeth206on a different horizontal plane from the body208of the blade grip104. With this positioning, a user may grip the blade grip104with increased leverage while flexing the double edged blade102when compared to a blade grip with the teeth206positioned flush with the body208(e.g., without the step402). Accordingly, user fatigue may be avoided during use of the double edged blade assembly100as less force is exerted on the blade grip104to achieve a desired flex in the double edged blade102.

FIG. 5is an exploded overhead view of the double edged blade assembly100, in accordance with an embodiment. The double edged blade102includes central openings502of the opening108. The central bosses304of the blade grips104A and104B are shaped to align with the central openings502. Additionally, the double edged blade102includes the notches504A and504B. The side bosses306A and306B of each of the blade grips104A and104B are shaped to align with the notches504A and504B of the double edged blade102. Accordingly, in an embodiment, the blade grips104A and104B each include three coupling points (i.e., the central boss304and the side bosses306A and306B) that function to secure the double edged blade102to the blade grips104A and104B.

It may be appreciated that the blade grips104A and104B may include more or fewer coupling points to secure the blade grips104A and104B to the double edged blade102. For example, the double edged blade102may include additional openings at portions of the double edged blade102that are in contact with the blade grips104A and104B when the double edged blade assembly100is assembled. Additionally, the notches504A and504B may be removed from the double edged blade102, and only the central bosses304may interact with the double edged blade102to secure the double edged blade102to the blade grips104A and104B. Further, any combination or position of openings and notches of the double edged blade102interacting with corresponding bosses of the blade grip104is contemplated.

Additionally, while the two blade grips104A and104B are depicted inFIG. 5coupling to the double edged blade102, a single blade grip104may also be coupled to the double edged blade102. For example, in an embodiment, the blade grip104A is coupled to the double edged blade102, and the blade grip104B is not attached to the double edged blade102. In such an embodiment, a user interacts directly with the double edged blade102on a side opposite the blade grip104A. Alternatively, a blade grip104B with a flat (i.e., not concave) grip side may be installed on the double edged blade102on the side opposite from the blade grip104A. In such an embodiment, the teeth206and the curvature of the blade grip104A are only provided on a single side of the double edged blade102.

Upon completion of a molding process that produces the blade grips104A and104B, the blade grips104A and104B are installed on the double edged blade102, as indicated by arrows506. To help illustrate,FIG. 6is a flow chart of method600of manufacturing the double edged blade assembly100, in accordance with an embodiment. Initially, the blade grips104are molded. Any molding process capable of producing the blade grips104is contemplated as within the scope if this disclosure. For example, the blade grips104may be formed using injection molding or compression molding techniques.

After the blade grips104are molded, the bosses304,306A, and306B are installed within the openings108and the notches504A and504B of the double edged blade102. As mentioned above, the bosses304,306A, and306B have a close fit with the openings108and the notches504A and504B. For example, contact between the bosses304,306A, and306B of the blade grip104and the opening108and the notches504A and504B of the double edged blade102may occur as the blade grips104A and104B are installed on the double edged blade102.

The contact between the double edged blade102and the blade grips104A and104B may provide partial securement of the blade grips104A and104B on the double edged blade102. As used herein, partial securement may refer to the blade grips104A and104B maintaining contact with the double edged blade102when no external forces are applied to the blade grips104A and104B or the double edged blade102, but, upon applying external forces, the blade grips104A and104B and the double edged blade102are separable without any deformation of either the blade grips104A and104B or the double edged blade102. The partial securement of the blade grips104A and104B and the double edged blade102may ensure that sufficient amounts of material from the bosses304,306A, and306B will overlap the double edged blade102upon plastically deforming the bosses304,306A, and306B to permanently secure the blade grips104A and104B to the double edged blade102.

At block606, the bosses304,306A, and306B are plastically deformed to permanently secure the blade grips104A and104B to the double edged blade102. As used herein, permanently securing the blade grips104A and104B to the double edged blade102may refer to securing the blade grips104A and104B to the double edged blade102in an irreversible manner. Further, in an embodiment, the term permanent securement may be defined as securement that sufficiently resists separation when the device is operating under an amount of force considered within a normal operating parameter of the device. That is, permanent securement, in some embodiments, means that the blade grips104A and104B will not separate from the doubled edged blade102when the double edged blade assembly100is used during a biopsy procedure.

To deform the bosses304,306A, and306B, a cold staking procedure may be performed on the bosses304,306A, and306B when properly aligned with the double edged blade102. The cold staking procedure involves applying pressure on the bosses304,306A, and306B at room temperature to compress the bosses304,306A, and306B. When the bosses304,306A, and306B are compressed, the plastic from the bosses304,306A, and306B extends over edges of the corresponding central opening502and corner notches504A and504B of the double edged blade102. Extension of the plastic from the bosses304,306A, and306B over the edges of the double edged blade102permanently secures the blade grip104to the double edged blade102. Further, the bosses304,306A, and306B may also be deformed with a heat staking process (i.e., applying heat and pressure to the bosses304,306A, and306B) or through an ultrasonic staking process (i.e., controlled melting of the bosses304,306A, and306B using ultrasonic vibrations), or any other plastic deformation process. Further, in place of deforming the bosses304,306A, and306B, the blade grip104may be glued to the double edged blade102using an adhesive to permanently secure the blade grip104to the double edged blade102.

In another embodiment, each of the blade grips104may include two separate pieces that are coupled together on either end of the double edged blade102. For example, the blade grips104may include one piece with the bosses304,306A, and306B and another piece that is positioned on an opposite side of the double edged blade102with recesses shaped to receive the bosses304,306A, and306B. In such an embodiment, the two pieces of the blade grips104may be attached to each other and to the double edged blade102using ultrasonic welding, staking, or gluing.

FIG. 7is an underside view of the double edged blade assembly100, in accordance with an embodiment. The double edged blade assembly, upon permanent securement of the blade grips104A and104B to the double edged blade102includes a deformed central boss704and deformed side bosses706A and706B. As a result of a deformation process, the deformed bosses704,706A, and706B extend over portions of the double edged blade102to secure the doubled edged blade102to the blade grips104A and104B. For example, the deformed bosses704,706A, and706B are flattened when compared to the bosses304,306A, and306B in a manner similar to a rivet after being bucked. Accordingly, as the deformed bosses704,706A, and706B are flattened, the plastic that formed the bosses304,306A, and306B extends over the double edged blade102. As mentioned above with reference toFIG. 6, the deformed bosses704,706A, and706B may be deformed when partially secured to the double edged blade102using a cold staking process, a heat staking process, an ultrasonic staking process, or any other plastic deformation process that is capable of permanently securing the blade grips104A and104B to the double edged blade102.

As illustrated in bothFIGS. 3 and 7, the bosses304,306A, and306E and the deformed bosses704,706A, and706B are generally ‘T’ shaped. However, it may be appreciated that the bosses304,306A, and306B and the deformed bosses704,706A, and706B may take any shape that aligns with the opening108and/or the corner notches504. Further, the central boss304and the deformed central boss704may include a shape that extends further along the opening108to provide additional securement support for the blade grip104to the double edged blade102. For example, as the deformed central boss704extends toward a midpoint708of the double edged blade102, the retention capabilities of the deformed central boss704increase due to an increase in material overlap of the deformed central boss704over the double edged blade102. Extending the deformed central boss704toward the midpoint708, in an embodiment, may enable removal of the side bosses306A and306B, and the resulting deformed side bosses706A and706B, while still maintaining a permanent coupling between the blade grips104A and104B and the double edged blade102.

FIG. 8is a set of varying blade grip configurations802,804,806,808, and810of the blade grip104, in accordance with an embodiment. The blade grip configuration802, for example, includes the blade side202and the grip side204. The grip side204of the blade grip configuration802has an asymmetrical concave surface812. In an embodiment, the asymmetrical indentation812is designed to provide a different handling feel than the symmetrical curve of the blade grip104depicted inFIG. 2.

Additionally, the blade grip configuration804includes the grip side204with an angled-in surface814. In other embodiments, the blade grip configuration806includes the grip side204with a convex surface816, and the blade grip configuration808includes the grip side204with an angled-out surface818. The angled-in surface814, the convex surface816, and the angled-out surface818each provide different handling feels from each other.

In another embodiment, the blade grip configuration810includes the grip side204with a double curved surface820. The double curved surface820includes a curve822and a curve824. In an embodiment, the curves822and824are shaped to receive an index finger and a middle finger of the user to provide an enhanced gripping arrangement over single curve configurations. Further, a blade grip104on an opposite side of the double edged blade102may also include the blade grip configuration810, and a thumb of the user may fit within one of the curves822or824. In another embodiment, the blade grip104on the opposite side of the double edged blade102from the blade grip104with the blade grip configuration810may be any of the other blade grip configurations802-808or the configuration described with reference toFIG. 2. With this in mind, the double edged blade assembly100may include any number of combinations of the blade grip configurations when coupling the blade grips104to the double edged blade102. For example, a blade grip104with the blade grip configuration804may be installed on one side of the double edged blade102while a blade grip104with the blade grip configuration806is installed on an opposite side of the double edged blade102.

Further, each of the blade grip configurations802-810may include teeth206that are integrally formed in the blade grip configurations802-810and break up a surface of the grip side204to provide an enhanced gripping surface. For example, the teeth206, which are described in detail above with respect toFIG. 2, increase friction on the fingers of a user during operation such that slippage of the blade grip104is reduced. Additionally, in an embodiment, the grip side204both with the teeth206and in an embodiment without the teeth206may include a rubber coating or an integral rubber portion to provide an enhanced gripping surface. In another embodiment, the entire blade grip configurations802-810are elastomeric to provide the enhanced gripping surface.

While this specification provides specific details related to certain components of the double edged blade assembly100, it may be appreciated that the list of components is illustrative only and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the forms disclosed. Other components of the double edged blade assembly will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Further, the scope of the claims is intended to broadly cover the disclosed components and any such components that are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

The above disclosed embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the disclosed embodiments, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the forms disclosed. Many insubstantial modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. For instance, although the flow diagram depicts serial processes, some of the steps/blocks may be performed in parallel or out of sequence, or combined into a single step/block. The scope of the claims is intended to broadly cover the disclosed embodiments and any such modification.

It should be apparent from the foregoing disclosure of illustrative embodiments that significant advantages have been provided. The illustrative embodiments are not limited solely to the descriptions and illustrations included herein and are instead capable of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.