Razor with independent suspension

Embodiments of the present invention provide a handheld shaving apparatus with a razor head coupled to a body of the apparatus and employing an independent suspension system, which allows the user to maintain control of the razor head while also allowing the head to move in a generally linear fashion to accommodate surface features and imperfections. Further embodiments provide a handheld shaving apparatus with a razor head and body that collectively include one or more biasing mechanisms that permit the razor head to move in an axial and/or generally linear direction while resisting substantial lateral movement of the razor head, reducing the potential for lateral slicing by the razors.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate to razors and related shaving devices, and, more specifically, to a shaver having suspension disposed in the handle, the head, or both, and/or between the handle and the head to allow generally linear and/or axial movement of the head with respect to a portion of the handle.

BACKGROUND

Razors used for shaving one's face, legs, etc., have been around for years. Due to various imperfections of the shaving surface, cuts can be a common and annoying occurrence. To try and solve this problem, razors have utilized different spring functions such as a flexible head that allows for some movement of a central portion of the head to accommodate the imperfection. Not only do these not allow movement of the outer portions of the head, but the spring response in these types of heads is generally not sensitive enough to address the more subtle imperfections. Other attempts have been made where the head is coupled to the handle via a leaf spring which may allow movement of the head in X, Y, and Z directions. Such configurations are challenging to control and do not adequately maintain a cutting surface position during the shaving process. Finally, heads that pivot are also used, but have similar shortcoming as those described above. Accordingly, a system is needed that will accommodate imperfections yet allowing the user to maintain head control during the shaving process and minimize cuts due to imperfections and varying features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The description may use perspective-based descriptions such as up/down, back/front, anterior/posterior, upper/lower and top/bottom. Such descriptions are merely used to facilitate the discussion and are not intended to restrict the application of embodiments of the present invention.

For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “NB” or in the form “A and/or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “at least one of A, B, and C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C). For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “(A)B” means (B) or (AB) that is, A is an optional element.

The description may use the phrases “head”, “razor head” and/or “the head”. These phrases are used herein with respect to components of embodiments, rather than with respect to anatomical features of the user. Where anatomical features of a user are discussed, phrases including the term “head” will be qualified as such (e.g. “the head of a user”, “the user's head”, etc.).

Embodiments of the present invention provide a handheld razor having a head coupled to the body of the razor and include an independent suspension system, which can allow the user to maintain control of the razor head while also allowing all or part of the head to move in a generally linear fashion to accommodate features and imperfections.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in the accompanying figures, a razor in accordance with various embodiments may comprise a handle and a replaceable head coupled to the shaft. Disposed within the shaft may be a biasing mechanism that allows for generally axial movement of the head with respect to a portion of the handle (see e.g. direction shown by arrow A,FIGS. 5aand5b; axis X-X,FIGS. 1 and 2). Such embodiments may allow for the head to move in the axial or in a single linear direction and resist substantial lateral movement of the head with respect to the handle. In such embodiments, as a user pulls the razor across the surface of the skin and an imperfection or changing feature is encountered, the head may move in the A direction along the X-X axis yet without moving laterally. This can help avoid a slicing movement that may occur by lateral shifting of the head. In other embodiments, the suspension may be in the head itself and adapted to allow axial movement of the blades or blade bed.

FIG. 1illustrates an embodiment of a razor that allows for axial movement of the razor head with respect to the handle, and in some instances, resistance to lateral movement. Razor10may include a handle12and a head14coupled thereto. Head14may include one or more razor blades16configured to shave hair close to the skin. Head14may be coupled to handle12via coupler18, wherein coupler18may include a biasing component that can allow for axial movement along axis X-X with respect to the handle axis Y-Y.

In various embodiments, handle12may be solid, hollow, or solid in some portions and hollow in others. Handle12, head14, coupler18and/or any component thereof may be constructed of any suitable material known in the art, such as metal, a metal alloy, ceramic, a polymer, an elastomer and/or a plastic/polymer. In some embodiments, handle12may be removable and/or fold for travel/storage. In some embodiments, a head14may be coupled to handle12without a coupler18, and one or more components described below for coupler18may instead be one or more components of a handle12and/or of a head14.

FIG. 2illustrates a partially exploded view of the razor ofFIG. 1. Handle12may have a receiver22adapted to receive an intermediate member24and/or a first member20. In some embodiments, a first member20may be coupled to a head14and to an intermediate member24. One or more of these components may be releasably coupled. First member20may also be configured to be coupled to receiver22, with and/or without intermediate member24. In one embodiment, intermediate member24may be adapted to receive first member20and couple to receiver22. A first biasing member26, such as a spring, may be disposed between the intermediate member24and the receiver22and/or the first member20. In various embodiments, the first biasing member26may include a spring sized to engage a protrusion44(FIG. 3) on the intermediate member24. In various embodiments, a variety of configurations may be employed to retain biasing member26with receiver22or intermediate member24. In embodiments, a first biasing member26may be a rust-resistant stainless steel spring element.

In various embodiments, the first member20may have tabs38adapted to engage intermediate member slots40and/or corresponding receiver slots42of receiver22. In various embodiments, the tabs38may be adapted to engage corresponding receiver slots42of receiver22to help couple the first member20to the receiver22. Receiver slots42may be sized such that axial movement of the intermediate member24and thus head14may be permitted a desired distance as a result of the compression of first biasing member26. Tabs38may also be adapted for use by the user in the coupling and uncoupling of head14to first member20/intermediate member24/receiver22. In some embodiments, some or all of first member20may comprise a flexible or compressible material/component, and force applied to tabs38(e.g. by a user pressing one or more tabs38inward) may move distal portions of first member20inward, causing disengagement of first member20from head14. Likewise, compression and/or movement of distal portions of intermediate member20may allow a user to position head14and first member20for engagement.

In various embodiments, the first member20may be directly connected to the receiver22without use of the intermediate member24. In various embodiments, the handle12may include the first member20, and the head14may be removably coupled to the first member20. In various embodiments, the axial movement X-X may be at an angle with/to and generally intersect the handle axis Y-Y. In various embodiments, the axial movement X-X may be generally parallel with and/or co-axial with handle axis Y-Y.

FIGS. 3 and 4illustrate a razor head with an independent suspension system in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 4shows a partially exploded view of the embodiment shown inFIG. 3. As shown inFIG. 3, a coupler18may include one or more of first member20, intermediate member24, a protrusion44, a first biasing member26and/or a razor head14. A razor head14in accordance with various embodiments may comprise one or more blades16coupled to an anterior section70, and anterior section70may be coupled to a posterior section72. In some embodiments these sections may be coupled by various interior/exterior surface features and/or by mechanical fasteners known in the art. In embodiments, anterior section70and posterior section72may be mechanically coupled in a manner that limits lateral and/or shifting movement of the anterior section70with respect to posterior section72while permitting axial movement of the anterior section70. One or more head biasing members74(seeFIG. 4) may be disposed between anterior section70and posterior section72such that axial force directed against anterior section70compresses one or more head biasing members74. In some embodiments, a first biasing member26and a head biasing member74may both be provided. Other embodiments may include two or more head biasing members74, only first biasing member26, or any number and combination of either/both.

Head biasing members74may be disposed between anterior section70and posterior section72in any suitable number and in any suitable arrangement. For example, embodiments may include one, two, three, four or more head biasing members74, which may be positioned at or near the corners, at or near the center, along a center line, etc. Head biasing members74may comprise coiled spring members and/or leaf springs of rust-resistant stainless steel. In embodiments, a head biasing member74may be arranged within a razor head at opposite ends to provide differential compression of the spring members as a function of where the axial force is applied (e.g. force applied to one end of the anterior section of the head compresses the proximate spring to a greater degree than the distal spring), thus providing for additional protection against lateral slicing. In some embodiments, a head biasing member74may be accommodated and/or retained by a surface feature of anterior section70and/or posterior section72, such as by a concavity34or by a protrusion such as protrusion44.

In some embodiments, intermediate member24may include a guide ridge48. Guide ridge48may be accommodated in embodiments by a corresponding guide ridge channel58of the receiver22to assist the user in coupling the components, to provide additional mechanical stability to the coupled components, and/or to prevent incorrect insertion of intermediate member24into receiver22(e.g. prevent upside-down insertion of intermediate member24). In various embodiments, biasing members such as head biasing members74and/or first biasing member26may be disposed in various locations between the razor head and the body or handle. Further, the head may be removable from the handle and/or coupler body, such that waste may be minimized upon replacement, and yet axial movement of the blades within the replaceable head may still be accomplished.

FIGS. 5aand5billustrate razors with an independent suspension system in accordance with various embodiments. Disposed within a shaft80may be a biasing mechanism which may include a spring member82in cooperation with a seat84. The seat84may be coupled to the razor head88either directly or by an adaptor member86. An adaptor member86and a razor head88may be constructed as a single unit and/or as two, three or more separable or inseparable units. In embodiments, such a biasing mechanism allows for generally axial movement of the razor head88with respect to a portion of the shaft80(see e.g. direction shown by arrow A,FIGS. 5aand5b). Such embodiments may allow for the razor head88to move in an axial direction and/or in a single linear direction and to resist substantial lateral or shifting movement of the razor head88with respect to the shaft80(e.g. movement in a direction perpendicular to arrow A). In such embodiments, as a user pulls the razor across the surface of the skin and encounters an imperfection or changing feature, the head may move in the A direction, yet without moving laterally. This helps to prevent slicing movements that may occur by lateral shifting of the head.

FIGS. 6a,6b,6cand6dillustrate razors with independent suspension systems in accordance with various embodiments. In embodiments, the head88may be coupled to the razor handle80at one, two or multiple points (as illustrated inFIGS. 6a-6d), and each coupling may include a controlled biasing mechanism90allowing for generally axial movements of the head88, as illustrated inFIGS. 5aand5b. In some embodiments, the head88may be coupled to the razor handle80and/or to the biasing mechanism90via one, two, or more adaptor member(s)86and/or connecting members94. In one embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 6d, the head88may have two or more points of biased coupling with the handle80. Providing a biasing mechanism90on each side may allow for one side of the head88to move axially to accommodate an imperfection whereas the other side may remain generally in the shaving plane to better accommodate anatomical features, surface variations and smaller offset imperfections. In some embodiments, a release member92may be provided for uncoupling head88from razor handle80and/or from biasing mechanism90.

FIG. 7illustrates an anterior view of a razor head700in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. A razor head700may include a frame102providing support for blades108, a conditioning member112, surface ridges114, rivets110and one or more retaining elements104. One, two, three or more blades108may be coupled to the anterior surface of frame102using a mechanical fastener such as rivets110or by other means known in the art. One or more retaining elements104may be disposed partially or completely around a portion of frame102and may retain one or more elements, such as blades108, against the frame102. Conditioning member112may be coupled to the anterior surface of frame102by an adhesive or other means known in the art. Some embodiments may lack a conditioning member112. Surface ridges114may be coupled to frame102using adhesive, fasteners or other means, or may be formed as part of frame102in a single unit (e.g. during manufacturing). Surface ridges114may function to manipulate the skin of the user to minimize surface variations prior to the passage of the blades over the skin. Conditioning member112may comprise a gel, solid, or other composition suitable for soothing, smoothing and/or conditioning skin. As described above, components of razor head700may comprise any suitable materials known in the art, including but not limited to rust-resistant stainless steel, plastic, ceramic, metals and/or metal alloys, polymers, etc.

FIG. 8illustrates a side view block drawing of a replaceable razor head800with an independent suspension system in accordance with various embodiments. As described above with reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, a razor head800may include an anterior section70and a posterior section72, with one or more spring members74disposed between them. The spring members74may be positioned to allow the razor head800to respond to unevenly applied axial forces with differential compression of the spring members74, reducing lateral slicing injuries.

FIGS. 9a,9b,9cand9dillustrate cutaway side views of various embodiments of a razor head900with a biasing mechanism. As shown inFIG. 9a, one or both of anterior section70and posterior section72may comprise one or more concavities or other surface features to accommodate an end of a spring member74. Alternatively, in some embodiments such as those shown inFIGS. 9band9c, anterior section70and/or posterior section72may comprise a seat84to retain an end of a spring member74. As shown inFIGS. 9b,9cand9d, posterior section72may comprise one or more retention elements46(e.g. compression fit hook couplers or other suitable features) for retaining one or more components of a shaving apparatus to the head900. As shown inFIGS. 9band9c, anterior section70and posterior section72may be retained/coupled together by one or more lateral elements106, which may be one or more separate elements and/or may be part of anterior section70and/or posterior section72.

In various embodiments, the biasing mechanism may be a spring (such as the spring member74, illustrated) or another resilient biasing device, such as a shock absorber. Using a shock absorber, the return of the head to the shaving plane after it is displaced by a feature imperfection may be dampened so that the response may be controlled. In various embodiments, a control rod may be disposed within the spring to help stabilize the head and resist lateral or non-axial movement of the head. In various embodiments the biasing members may be springs, elastomers, or other resilient members.

In various embodiments, the resilience of the biasing mechanism may be preset, while in other embodiments a user may adjust the resilience to suit the movement of the head according to shaving operation. In one embodiment, the tension of a spring, for example, may be adjusted by a dial or some other adjusting means that alters the spring constant. In other embodiments, the adjusting mechanism may influence the amount of resistance applied to a shock absorber as well as the amount of resilient force.

In some embodiments, a razor head with or without a biasing mechanism may be disposable and/or replaceable. In other embodiments, the razor head may be reusable and one or more other components may be disposable and/or replaceable. For example, in an embodiment, a handle12may be retained and other components (e.g. coupler18and/or razor head14/88) may be disposable and/or replaceable. In some embodiments, razor head14/88and coupler18and/or components of coupler18may be replaceable individually and/or as a single unit. In various embodiments all components may be disposable and/or replaceable separately or in pre-assembled groups.