Patent Publication Number: US-4926553-A

Title: Razor

Description:
DESCRIPTION 
     This application is a CONTINUATION-IN-PART of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 074,775 filed on July 17, 1987 entitled &#34;Trimline&#34;, now abandoned. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to razors for trimming and shaping beards, mustaches, sideburns and the like and more particularly to an arcuate blade type razor with an offset adjustable razor head. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The trimming and shaping of beards, mustaches and side burns is essential for proper grooming and style for the majority of men who wear them. 
     Conventional razors generally include a rectangular razor head mounted on an elongated handle in a fixed transverse relation to the handle. Conventionally, a straight cutting edge extends from one side or from two opposed sides of the razor head. 
     The purpose of conventional razors is to remove all or most of the hair from the face. Therefore, the razor head and cutting edges are broad relative to normal facial contours so that the number of shaving strokes required to shave a facial area is reduced. Although conventional razors are well suited to the purpose for which they are intended, they are inadequate for trimming and shaping purposes for several reasons. 
     The relatively broad razor head cannot be used to trim in small areas presented by facial obstructions such as the area between a mustache and a nose. The broad straight razor head and cutting edge make conventional razors inadequate for trimming or shaping arcuate outlines of a beard or for trimming in contoured areas isolated by facial hair, such as between the lower lip and chin. 
     Furthermore, a clear view of the area to be trimmed is essential for proper trimming and shaping. Conventional razors frequently obstruct a user&#39;s view in a number of ways. 
     For example, whereas the razor head of a conventional razor is broad, only a portion of the razor may be required for trimming in a particular localized area. Thus, the remainder of the razor head blocks the user&#39;s view of the area to be trimmed. In addition, because the handle and the razor head are conventionally in fixed relation, it may be difficult for the user to position his hand to achieve the desired position of the cutting edge. Furthermore the hand, thus situated, may obstruct the necessary view. 
     In recent years, attempts have been made to overcome the deficiencies of conventional razors. For example, razors are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,285,124 and 4,335,509. However, these razors have straight cutting edges and a razor head which remains fixed relative to the handle of the razor. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide a razor particularly suited to the trimming and shaping of beards, mustaches, sideburns and the like. 
     According to the invention, the razor includes an elongated handle, a razor head and a neck joining the razor head to one end of the handle. 
     The neck is axially offset and tapered from the handle to the razor head for improved visibility of the area to be trimmed. 
     The razor head is pivotally mounted on the neck and can be pivoted about three orthogonal axes thereof; so that, the angular position of the razor head with respect to the handle (attitude) may be adjusted by the user as desired. 
     A pivot lock is provided for locking the razor head in a desired attitude. The pivot lock includes a ball joint which has a center-cut ball, a slidable lock member, a lock control member and position retention lugs. 
     The ball is located on the end of the razor neck and is received in a socket of the razor head. An elongated hollow in the neck houses the slidable lock member. The lock control member is attached transversely to the slidable lock member and extends outside the elongated hollow for access by the user. The slidable lock member is extendable into a center path of the ball by pushing the lock control member in a forward direction, thus, expanding the ball in the socket and locking the razor head in the desired position. 
     The lock control member is located on the neck so that so that the razor head can be locked, conveniently, by the thumb or a finger of the same hand as holds the handle. 
     The position retention lugs maintain the slidable lock member in a locked position. The retention lugs include a ratchet lug attached to the slidable lock member and stationary lugs formed on the inside of the elongated hollow. The lugs cooperate to releasably secure the slidable member in a forward position thus maintaining a locked position. The lugs can be disengaged for retraction of the slidable member by depressing the lock control member and sliding the lock control member in a reverse direction. 
     The razor head includes an arcuate surface having an arcuate cutting edge extending therefrom for narrow and adjustable contact with the skin of a user. The arcuate cutting edge also provides for trimming an outline of facial hair while tapering the growth proximate thereto when the cutting edge is pulled perpendicularly along an outline of the desired area. 
     Other advantages and aspects of the invention will become apparent upon making reference to the specification, claims, and drawings to follow. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the razor of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is rear elevational view of the razor; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the razor taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2 disclosing the razor head in an unlocked position with the slidable lock member retracted; 
     FIG. 4 is the same view as FIG. 3, illustrating the razor head in a locked position with the slidable lock member extended into the expandable ball; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the razor taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is a top elevational view of the razor head of the razor; 
     FIG. 7 is a plan view of the razor blade of the razor; 
     FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the razor head of the razor with a partial cross section view taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8a is a side elevational view of a portion of the razor head of the razor taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8b is the same view as in FIG. 8a, disclosing an alternate embodiment of the razor head of the razor; and, 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an arcuate cutting edge engaging a portion of a face with facial hair. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While my invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, preferred embodiments of my invention. The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of my invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of my invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
     Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 disclose a preferred embodiment of the razor of the present invention generally referenced by 10. 
     Razor 10 generally comprises an elongated handle 12, a razor head 16 and a neck 14 joining the razor head 16 with one end of the handle 12. The razor head 16 is generally transversely oriented with the neck 14. Neck 14 is axially offset from handle 12 and is tapered from handle 12 to razor head 16, thus defining a narrow end 15 of neck 14. 
     A pivot joint 18 is interposed between the razor head 16 and neck 14 to pivotally join the razor head 16 to the neck 14. A lock control member 32, with an annular widened portion 33 is exposed on neck 14 so that the user can control a pivot lock 20 located within neck 14 to lock the razor head into a desired position relative to the handle 12, as will be discussed in more detail below. 
     As best disclosed in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, razor head 16 generally includes a base 44, a blade 46 and a cap 48 securing blade 46 to the base 44, as further detailed below. 
     As disclosed in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, narrow end 15 of neck 14 terminates in the form of an expandable ball 24. Pivot joint 18 includes expandable ball 24 received in a socket 22. Socket 22 is formed in one surface of base 44 of razor head 16 and has an opening 26. Socket 22 has an arcuate inner surface 2 and is dimensioned for pivotal cooperation with expandable ball 24. 
     Expandable ball 24 is divided into four separate lobes 28, each lobe having an arcuate outer surface 28a and an inner surface 28b. Lobes 28 are circumferentially spaced from each other with inner surfaces 28b defining a path P between lobes 28. Neck 14 has an elongated hollow 30 which extends along the inside of neck 14 and opens into path P. Each of the lobes 28 is resiliently attached to neck 14 so that the lobes can be spread apart by the pivot lock 20 which resides in hollow 30. 
     As will be discussed in more detail below, locking of razor head 16 is achieved by spreading lobes 28 to expand ball 24 within socket 22. Ball 24 is expanded until the arcuate surfaces 28a of each lobe 28 frictionally engages the arcuate inner surface 21 of socket 22. 
     FIG. 3 discloses expandable ball 24 in a closed position wherein rotation of razor head 16 is permitted. 
     FIG. 4 discloses expandable ball 24 in an expanded condition wherein razor head 16 is locked. 
     Thus, the pivot joint 18 provides for razor head 16 to have rotational freedom about three orthogonal axes relative to neck 14 to obtain a desired attitude of razor head 16 to handle 12. Once a desired attitude of razor head 16 is achieved, razor head 16 can be securely locked in position by pivot lock 20. 
     Pivot lock 20 includes a slidable lock member 19 with opposed first and second ends 34 and 36, first and second legs 36a and 36b and a lock control member 32. Slidable lock member 19 and legs 36a and 36b are located within hollow 30 and are dimensioned to be slidable therein. 
     First end 34 of lock member 19 is tapered and terminates in an arcuate form so that, as it is extended into path P, it smoothly and gradually engages inner surfaces 28b of the lobes 28. Each of the inner surfaces 28b has an upper portion which is parallel to the inner surface 28b of each adjacent lobe 28. A lower portion of each lobe 28 inclines to hollow 30. In this configuration, inner surfaces 28b provide a camming action between end 34 of the slidable lock member and lobes 28 to facilitate spreading of ball 24. 
     Slidable lock member 19 has a first leg 36a and a second leg 36b extending generally in the plane thereof from end 36. Each leg 36a and 36b have opposed ends. Each leg 36a and 36b is attached to slidable lock member 19 at end 36 by one of its ends while the other end defines a free end thereof. 
     Lock control member 32 is attached to leg 36b and extends perpendicularly therefrom through an elongated opening 38 located in a side of hollow 30. Lock control member 32 terminates in a widened portion 33 which is adapted for engagement with the finger of a user. Legs 36a and 36b are spaced from each other and are made from a resilient type material such as plastic so that leg 36b can be resiliently deflected by depressing lock control member 32. 
     Leg 36b includes a ratchet lug 40 on its free end. Ratchet lug 40 is in the form of a right triangle and has a flat side extending perpendicular from leg 36b and an opposed side which is inclined with respect to leg 36b. A plurality of stationary lugs 42 are located in series on an inner wall of hollow 30. Stationary lugs 42 have reciprocal geometries relative to ratchet lug 40 and are adapted to cooperatively engage therewith for step-wise position securement of pivot lock 20. 
     Thus, in order to lock razor head 16 in a fixed attitude, a user need only push lock control member 32 in a forward direction (indicated by arrow X in FIG. 4) until the razor head is secure. As pivot lock 20 is advanced, the inclined surfaces of ratchet lug 40 and stationary lugs 42 permit advancement over each other. Second leg 36b resiliently urges ratchet lug 40 against stationary lugs 42 so that, as each stationary lug 42 is passed, the flat surface of ratchet lug 40 is brought into engagement with the flat surface of the previous stationary lug 42 so that the forward position of pivot lock 20 is retained. 
     To reposition razor head 16, lock control member 32 need only be simultaneously depressed, in the direction of arrow Y of FIGS. 3 and 4, and pushed in a reverse direction (indicated by arrow X of FIG. 3) thus disengaging ratchet lug 40 from stationary lugs 42 and retracting end 34 from path P so that ball 24 will close. 
     Razor head 16 can be removed for disposal and replaced. Accordingly, expandable ball 24 and opening 26 of razor head 16 are dimensioned so that, as the ball is forced in or out of socket 22, the lobes 28 are forced together so that the parallel portion of inner surfaces 28b are touching each other. In this position, a diameter of ball 24 is reduced to a dimension smaller than a diameter of ball 24 in the closed position. Thus, razor head 16 can be removed and replaced by snapping ball 24 into and out of socket 22. 
     Razor head 16 having arcuate cutting edges is illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8. 
     As best disclosed in FIG. 8, razor head 16 includes a base 44, a blade 46 seated on the base 44 and a cap 48 over blade 46. The cap 48 secures blade 46 to base 44. 
     As best disclosed in FIG. 7, blade 46 is a flat member having opposed arcuate cutting edges 50, opposed straight edges 52 and an elongated opening 54 through a medial portion of the blade. Opening 54 has opposed parallel straight sides and arcuate end sides. Blade 46 is made from conventional razor blade materials having conventional thickness. Edges 50 are sharpened along their entire extent to present a cutting surface. 
     As disclosed in FIGS. 1, 6 and 8, cap 48 and base 44 are provided with arcuate sides 43 so that an even margin of blade 46, along both blade edges 50, extends from opposed sides of razor head 16. Cap 48 and base 44 are coterminous with blade ends 52. 
     In one preferred embodiment, as disclosed in FIGS. 8 and 8a, the arcuate sides of cap 48 and base 44 define a marginal surface 60 which is perpendicular to the exposed margin of blade 46. 
     FIG. 8b discloses an alternate embodiment of razor 10 wherein a razor head 62 is provided including a base 64 and a cap 66. Razor head 62 is configured the same as razor head 16, disclosed above, with the exception that the arcuate edges of cap 66 and base 64 taper directly away from the exposed margin of blade 46. In this configuration, the razor head 62 facilitates increased accessibility into obstructed areas such as that area between the user&#39;s nose and mustache. This configuration also provides improved visibility of the area to be trimmed or shaved. 
     FIGS. 6 and 8, disclose that blade 46 is aligned and secured into position by locating pins 56 which are attached to cap 48 and extend through opening 54 into blind openings 58 in base 44. Locating pins 56 are spaced from each other and are dimensioned to engage the arcuate sides of opening 54 to prevent horizontal movement of the blade 46. Locating pins 56 are dimensioned to present an interference fit with openings 58 for securement therein. 
     Providing two cutting edges on blade 46 allows a user to trim with either edge 50 by merely rotating razor head 16 into the appropriate position when, for instance, one edge 50 becomes dull. 
     As disclosed in FIG. 9, the provision of an arcuate cutting edge 50 achieves a number of desired results. For example, as illustrated by the dashed line Z of FIG. 9, the arcuate cutting edge 50 can provide a tapered trim along an outline area of facial hair growth, referenced by H of FIG. 9. 
     Furthermore, the arcuate cutting edge 50 can be used for shaving a narrow facial portion because the arcuate cutting edge 50 engages relatively flat portions of skin only along a tangent of the cutting edge 50, as indicated by W in FIG. 9. 
     While my invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the broader aspects of my invention. Also, it is intended that broad claims not specifying details of a particular embodiment disclosed herein as the best mode contemplated for carrying out my invention should not be limited to such details.