Patent Publication Number: US-2022219346-A1

Title: Proprioceptive shaver

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is related to medical devices; to shaving devices for use in medical procedures; and more particularly, to a proprioceptive shaver for shaving intimate areas and designed to provide a safer intimate grooming experience in areas that are typically hard to shave safely. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Use of shaving systems for removal of hair from a body is well known in the art. Typical type razors include those described by: U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,513,041, 10,137,586, 10,137,585, 9,713,879, 8,726,528, U.S. Publication No. 2020/0223083, U.S. Publication No. 2014/0290066, WO Publication No. 2019/093931, or WO Publication No. 2012/107713. 
     Such devices, however, are not safe when used for grooming/shaving in areas that are typically hard to shave safely as they fail to provide the user the necessary or proper awareness of the position and movement of the parts of the body by means of sensory organs (proprioceptors) in the muscles and joints controlling the movement of the razor head. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a shaving device, preferably for use in shaving intimate areas, configured to provide a safer intimate grooming experience in areas that are typically hard to shave safely. The proprioceptive shaver is configured to provide enhanced control of the razor blade as the razor blade is moved over or contacts an area of skin to be shaved or groomed. 
     In an illustrative embodiment, a proprioceptive shaver for shaving one or more portions of a body may comprise a main body having a first end and a second opposing end; a user engagement member configured to provide, at multiple points, contact with a user&#39;s hand when in use; and a shaving assembly comprising a razor head having at least one or more cutting surfaces. The multiple points of contact may include areas at or near the metacarpophalangeal joint, proximal interphalangeal joint and distal inferior phalange of the user&#39;s hand. 
     In an illustrate example, the multiple points of contact may include an area directly underneath the metacarpophalangeal joint of two fingers of the same hand, an area just distal to the metacarpophalangeal joint and proximal to the proximal interphalangeal joint, a distal inferior phalanges (fingertips) of the same two fingers on the same hand, all three contact points, or any combination thereof. 
     Accordingly, it is an objective of the invention to provide an improved shaving device. 
     It is a further objective of the invention to provide a shaving device configured to provide a safer intimate grooming experience in areas that are typically hard to shave safely. 
     It is yet another objective of the invention to provide a proprioceptive shaver for shaving intimate areas. 
     It is a still further objective of the invention to provide a proprioceptive shaver for shaving intimate areas, such as the human genitalia, and/or the surrounding area. 
     It is a further objective of the invention to provide a proprioceptive shaver for shaving intimate areas which provides a user three points of contact on two fingers of the same hand. 
     It is yet another objective of the invention to provide a proprioceptive shaver for shaving intimate areas which is configured to provide unique leverage and balance, allowing for control of the razor blade during shaving of intimate parts of the body. 
     It is a still further objective of the invention to provide a proprioceptive shaver for shaving intimate areas which is configured to provide a user with increased awareness of the position and movements of the razor as it is moved across the skin or shaving area. 
     It is a further objective of the invention to provide a proprioceptive shaver for shaving intimate areas which is configured to provide a user with increase proprioception of the position and movements of the razor as it is moved across the skin or shaving area. 
     Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification, include exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a prospective view of an illustrative embodiment of a proprioceptive shaver for shaving intimate areas; 
         FIG. 2  is an alternative prospective view of the proprioceptive shaver for shaving intimate areas; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the proprioceptive shaver for shaving intimate areas; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the proprioceptive shaver for shaving intimate areas; 
         FIG. 5  is a right side view of the proprioceptive shaver for shaving intimate areas; 
         FIG. 6  is a left side view of the proprioceptive shaver for shaving intimate areas; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the proprioceptive shaver for shaving intimate areas in a first, non-extended position; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the proprioceptive shaver for shaving intimate areas in a second, extended position; 
         FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of the shaving assembly portion/member of the proprioceptive shaver for shaving intimate areas; 
         FIG. 9B  is an alternative perspective view of the shaving assembly portion/member of the proprioceptive shaver for shaving intimate areas; 
         FIG. 10A  is a top view of the proprioceptive shaver main body, shown with the shaving assembly removed; 
         FIG. 10B  illustrates one of the internal surfaces of the proprioceptive shaver main body; 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom view of the proprioceptive shaver main body, shown with the shaving assembly removed; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates the razor portion of the shaving assembly portion/member shown rotated from a first shaving position; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates the razor portion of the shaving assembly portion/member shown rotated from a first shaving position; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates the proprioceptive shaver for shaving intimate areas secured in a user&#39;s hand; and 
         FIG. 15  illustrates an alternative view of the proprioceptive shaver for shaving intimate areas secured in a user&#39;s hand. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred, albeit not limiting, embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , an illustrative embodiment of a proprioceptive shaver for shaving/grooming intimate areas, referred to generally as a proprioceptive shaver  10 , is shown. The proprioceptive shaver  10  is configured to provide enhanced control of the razor blade as the razor blade is moved over or contacts an area of skin to be shaved or groomed. While the proprioceptive shaver  10  will be described as being useful in shaving grooming intimate areas, such as human genitals and/or surrounding areas, such as a vagina, penis, or testicles, the proprioceptive shaver  10  can be used on other parts of a body as well. Moreover, while the proprioceptive shaver  10  may have particular use in surgical settings or procedures, such use is not intended to be limiting. The proprioceptive shaver  10  comprises a main body  12  separating a first end  14  and a second, opposing end  16 . The first end  14  comprises a user engagement portion or member  18  integrally formed from or attached thereto. At the second end  16 , a shaving assembly  20  extends therefrom. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , an embodiment of the shaving assembly  20  is shown. The shaving assembly  20  comprises a body  22 , illustrated herein as an elongated shaft or arm, secured to a razor head  24  via a joint  26 . The shaving assembly shaft or arm  22  may be straight or contain a curvature. The shaving assembly shaft or arm  22  is sized and shaped to fit and move within the interior portion or region (to be described later) of the proprioceptive shaver main body  12 . The razor head  24  may comprise a first surface  28  having one or more griping surfaces  30 , shown herein as ridges to allow a user&#39;s fingers to grip the razor head  24  when in use, i.e. grooming or shaving. A second, opposing surface  32  may contain one or more cutting surfaces  34 , such as razor blades. The shaving assembly shaft or arm  22  may contain an opening  36  sized and shaped to receive and store therein a locking member  38 , illustrated herein as a pin (see  FIG. 1 ). Once inserted, the pin  38  locks the shaving assembly shaft or arm  22  in place (at various positons) within the proprioceptive shaver main body  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10A-13 , the proprioceptive shaver main body  12  is shown with the shaving assembly  20  removed. The proprioceptive shaver main body  12  may comprise an opening  40 , illustrated herein as an open slit or channel, exposing the interior portion or region  42 . The interior portion or region  42  is preferably hollow or partially hollow and sized and shaped to allow at least a portion of the shaving assembly shaft or arm  22  to fit within, and to move, preferably slidably in a linear direction therein. A user simply inserts at least a portion of the shaving assembly shaft or arm  22  into the proprioceptive shaver main body second end opening  44 . Once in a desired position, the user places the pin  38  into the shaving assembly shaft or arm opening  36 . The bottom surface  46  (see  FIGS. 10A and 10B ) of the proprioceptive shaver main body  12  may contain a plurality of spaced apart pin receiving members  48 , illustrated herein as dimples or small openings. 
     When at least a portion of the pin  38  (preferably a pointed portion) is oriented to and rests within the pin receiving members  48 , the shaving assembly shaft or arm  22  is locked in place. To orientate and position the shaving assembly shaft or arm  22  in another location within the proprioceptive shaver main body  12 , the user removes the pin  38 , slides the shaving assembly shaft or arm  22  to the left or right (further or closer to the first end  14 ), see  FIG. 7 , the proprioceptive shaver for shaving intimate areas in a first, non-extended position and  FIG. 8 , the proprioceptive shaver for shaving intimate areas in a second, extended position. Once in the desired position, the user simply places the pin  38  into and through opening  36 . A portion of the pin  38  rests within one of the pin receiving members  48 , locking the shaving assembly shaft or arm  22  in place. 
     The user engagement portion or member  18  is configured to provide the user unique control of the razor head  24  during the grooming or shaving process. Such control is vital for areas such as the human genitals, or surrounding area, that are difficult for an individual to shave themselves safely and effectively. The user engagement portion or member  18  is configured so the proprioceptive shaver  10  provides users with increased awareness of the position and movement of the parts of the body by means of sensory organs (proprioceptors) in the muscles and joints controlling the movement of the razor head  24 . Accordingly, the proprioceptive shaver  10  is configured to provide multiple, preferably three, points of contact on two fingers of the same hand. The three points of contact include areas at or near the metacarpophalangeal joint  50 , proximal interphalangeal joint  52 , and distal inferior phalanges (fingertips)  54  of the user&#39;s hand  55 , see  FIG. 14 . More specifically, the three points of contact include: 
     1. The area directly underneath the metacarpophalangeal joint of two fingers of the same hand; 
     2. The area just distal to the metacarpophalangeal joint and proximal to the proximal interphalangeal joint which acts as a fulcrum with no finger contact until # 3 ; and 
     3. The distal inferior phalanges (fingertips) of the same two fingers on the same hand, which is connected to number two by a flexible adjustable shaft (to be described later). 
     As a result, a unique leverage is created between the metacarpophalangeal joint and the distal two inferior phalanges (fingertips) on the same hand. This unique and exaggerated leverage creates an increased proprioception and awareness of the position and movement of the razor while it is being moved across intimate skin. This increased proprioception of the razor blades allows for a much safer intimate grooming experience in areas that are difficult to shave safely, see  FIGS. 14 and 15 . 
     The user engagement portion or member  18  may include an upper portion  56 , a lower portion  58 , and a bridge  60  connecting the upper portion  56  and the lower portion  58 . The upper portion  56  and the lower portion  58  are preferably arranged in a parallel or generally parallel arrangement, separated by a first opening  62  (to the left of bridge  60 ) and a second opening  64  (to the right of bridge  60 ). The upper portion distal ends  66  and  68  may have a partial curvature and extend down towards (but do not touch, thus forming an open or partial ring configuration) lower portion distal ends  70  and  72 . The lower portion distal ends  70  and  72  may also have a partial curvature and extend upwards) towards (but do not touch, thus forming an open or partial ring configuration) upper portion distal ends  66  and  68 . Both areas define the size and shape of openings  62  and  64 , which are sized and shaped to fit, receive and support portions of a user&#39;s fingers. The upper portion  56  and the lower portion  58 , particularly the upper portion distal ends  66  and  68  and the lower portion distal ends  70  and  72  may be made of a flexible material so that they can accommodate different sized fingers. Alternatively, the upper portion distal ends  66  and  68  and the lower portion distal ends  70  and  72  may connect, thus forming a closed ring structure. 
     Positioned away from the upper portion  56  and the lower portion  58  is a leverage bar  74 . The leverage bar  74  is attached to or is integrally formed from a portion of the lower portion  58  as an intermediate member  76 , illustrated herein as an elongated body. The intermediate member  76  is shown having a curved surface  78 , see  FIG. 5 , which positions the leverage bar  74  away from the upper portion  56  and the lower portion  58  of the user engagement portion or member  18  via a distance or gap  80 , and orientating the leverage bar  74  so it 1) is parallel or generally parallel to the upper portion  56  and the lower portion  58 , and 2) when in use, rests in the area directly underneath the metacarpophalangeal joint of two fingers of the same hand. Accordingly, the size (and shape) of the leverage bar  74  must be sufficient to rest and/or span in the area directly underneath the metacarpophalangeal joint of two fingers of the same hand. The distance or gap  80  must be sufficient, so when in use (placed on two fingers), the upper portion  56  and the lower portion  58  aligns with or rests at the area just distal to the metacarpophalangeal joint and proximal to the proximal interphalangeal joint, acting as a fulcrum with no finger contact until distal inferior phalanges (fingertips) of the same two fingers on the same hand contact the razor head  24 . 
     The proprioceptive shaver  10  may also comprise a razor head  24  which is configured to rotate (greater than 0 degrees to 360 degrees).  FIG. 12  illustrates the razor head  24  rotated 90 degrees from a first position (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). Figure illustrates the razor head  24  rotated 180 degrees from the first position. Such rotation allows a user to shave with the grain or against the grain, allowing the user to push or pull while shaving. The razor head  24  may rotate simply by rotating the shaving shaft or arm  22  and locking in place as described above. Alternatively, the razor head  24  may be designed to pivot and rotate about the shaving shaft or arm  22 . 
     All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
     It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein. 
     One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.