Patent Publication Number: US-11654587-B2

Title: Coupling mechanism

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims benefit from European patent application EP 20174349.9, filed on May 13 th  2020, its content being incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to the field of skincare, and in particular to shaving. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a coupling mechanism for connecting a replaceable shaving cartridge of a shaving device to a handle of a shaving device. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A typical handheld shaving device includes a handle and replaceable shaving cartridges or heads which are configured to connect to the handle via a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism should provide for a safe and secure coupling and decoupling of the replaceable shaving cartridge to and from the handle, while also ensuring that the coupling and decoupling of the replaceable shaving cartridge to and from the handle is a smooth and seamless experience for a user. 
     Currently available coupling mechanisms may use magnetic components and/or metallic components to secure the shaving cartridge to the handle by magnetic attraction. These currently available coupling mechanisms require magnetic components and/or metallic components on the shaving cartridge and/or the handle. However, incorporating a magnetic component and/or a metallic component into the shaving cartridge increases production cost (cost of magnets/metallic parts and cost of assembly on the cartridge) on a part—the shaving cartridge—of the shaving device which is disposed after use. Additionally, usage of magnetic components and/or metallic components on a disposable part of the shaving device, such as the shaving cartridge, negatively impacts sustainability and the environment, as the magnetic and metallic components have a longer lifespan than the shaving cartridge but are disposed of nonetheless. 
     It is desirable to provide an improved coupling mechanism for attaching a replaceable shaving cartridge of a shaving device to a handle of a shaving device which limits use of magnetic and metallic components to the handle of the shaving device, such that the replaceable shaving cartridge is free from magnetic and metallic components, in order to fulfill one or more of the needs described above. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to aspects of the disclosure, a coupling mechanism for a shaving device comprises a first connector, a second connector defining a cavity being configured to receive the first connector, a first coupling element included on the second connector, the first coupling element configured to move between a first coupling element first position and a first coupling element second position, a second coupling element also included on the second connector and positioned within the cavity, the second coupling element configured to move between a second coupling element first position and a second coupling element second position, and wherein movement of the second coupling element to the second coupling element second position causes the first coupling element to be maintained in the first coupling element second position to secure engagement of the first connector and the second connector. 
     According to aspects of the disclosure, a third coupling element may be included within the second connector, and the third coupling element may be configured to repel the first coupling element when the second coupling element is in the second coupling element first position. 
     According to aspects of the disclosure, the third coupling element may be configured to be attracted to the second coupling element. 
     According to aspects of the disclosure, the first coupling element may be configured to be attracted to the second coupling element. 
     According to aspects of the disclosure, two of the first coupling element, second coupling element, and the third coupling element may include a magnet, and one of the first coupling element, the second coupling element, and the third coupling element may include a ferromagnetic material. 
     According to aspects of the disclosure, the first coupling element may be aligned with the second coupling element when the first coupling element is in the first coupling element second position and the second coupling element is in the second coupling element second position. 
     According to aspects of the disclosure, the first coupling element may be configured to pivot between the first coupling element first position and the first coupling element second position. 
     According to aspects of the disclosure, the first connector may define a slot and the second connector may define an opening, and the slot may be configured to align with the opening. 
     According to aspects of the disclosure, the first coupling element may be configured to extend through the opening and the slot when the first coupling element is in the first coupling element second position. 
     According to aspects of the disclosure, the first connector may include an engagement surface configured to engage the second coupling element, and engagement of the second coupling element by the engagement surface moves the second coupling element toward the second coupling element second position when the first connector is inserted into the cavity. 
     According to aspects of the disclosure, the second coupling element may include a bias member and the first connector may compress the bias member to move the second coupling element toward the second coupling element second position. 
     According to aspects of the disclosure, the engagement surface of the first connector may engage the bias member. 
     According to aspects of the disclosure, the bias member may be compressed against an inner wall of the second connector. 
     According to aspects of the disclosure, a button may be connected to the second coupling element, and the button may be configured to move the second coupling element to the second coupling element first position. 
     According to aspects of the disclosure, a shaving device may comprise a handle, a shaving cartridge, and the coupling mechanism according to any aspect described herein, and the shaving cartridge may be coupled to the handle when the first connector and the second connector are securely engaged. 
     According to aspects of the disclosure, a method of coupling a shaving cartridge to a handle of a shaving device may comprise the coupling mechanism according to any aspect described herein. 
     In the manner described and according to aspects illustrated herein, the coupling mechanism may be configured for attaching a replaceable shaving cartridge of a shaving device to a handle of a shaving device while limiting use of magnetic and metallic coupling elements to the handle of the shaving device, such that the replaceable shaving cartridge is substantially free from magnetic and metallic coupling elements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Aspects of an embodiment will be described in reference to the drawings, where like numerals reflect like elements: 
         FIG.  1    is a side perspective exploded view of a coupling mechanism for a shaving device according to aspects of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a side perspective view of the coupling mechanism of  FIG.  1   , showing a first connector and a second connector of the coupling mechanism in cross-section; 
         FIG.  3    is a side cross-sectional perspective view of the coupling mechanism of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a side cross-sectional perspective view of the coupling mechanism of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a side cross-sectional perspective view of the coupling mechanism of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a side cross-sectional perspective view of the coupling mechanism of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a side cross-sectional perspective view of the coupling mechanism of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a side cross-sectional perspective view of the coupling mechanism of  FIG.  1   ; and 
         FIG.  9    is a side cross-sectional perspective view of the coupling mechanism of  FIG.  1   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An embodiment of the coupling mechanism according to aspects of the disclosure will now be described with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 9   . Like numerals represent like parts, and will generally be referred to by the reference numeral  10 . Although the coupling mechanism  10  is described with reference to specific examples, it should be understood that modifications and changes may be made to these examples without going beyond the general scope as defined by the claims. In particular, individual characteristics of the various embodiments shown and/or mentioned herein may be combined in additional embodiments. Consequently, the description and the drawings should be considered in a sense that is illustrative rather than restrictive. The Figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depict illustrative aspects and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The illustrative aspects depicted are intended only as exemplary. 
     The term “exemplary” is used in the sense of “example,” rather than “ideal.” While aspects of the disclosure are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit aspects of the disclosure to the particular embodiment(s) described. On the contrary, the intention of this disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure. 
     Various materials, methods of construction and methods of fastening will be discussed in the context of the disclosed embodiment(s). Those skilled in the art will recognize known substitutes for the materials, construction methods, and fastening methods, all of which are contemplated as compatible with the disclosed embodiment(s) and are intended to be encompassed by the appended claims. 
     As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
     Throughout the description, including the claims, the terms “comprising a,” “including a,” and “having a” should be understood as being synonymous with “comprising one or more,” “including one or more,” and “having one or more” unless otherwise stated. In addition, any range set forth in the description, including the claims should be understood as including its end value(s) unless otherwise stated. Specific values for described elements should be understood to be within accepted manufacturing or industry tolerances known to one of skill in the art, and any use of the terms “substantially,” “approximately,” and “generally” should be understood to mean falling within such accepted tolerances. 
     When an element or feature is referred to herein as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or feature, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, or coupled to the other element or feature, or intervening elements or features may be present. In contrast, when an element or feature is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or feature, there may be no intervening elements or features present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements or features should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “top,” “bottom,” “middle,” “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the drawings. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of a device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if the device in the drawings is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, sections, and/or parameters, these elements, components, regions, layers, sections, and/or parameters should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed herein could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. 
     The coupling mechanism  10  may be configured to couple parts of a product, such as a handheld shaving device having a head/replaceable shaving cartridge (first part)  102  and a handle (second part) (not shown). As shown in  FIG.  1   , the coupling mechanism  10  may include a first connector  20 , a second connector  30 , a first coupling element  50 , second coupling element  70 , and a third coupling element  90 . The first coupling element  50 , second coupling element  70 , and third coupling element  90  may include a magnetic component and/or a metallic component for causing the first connector  20  and the second connector  30  to be coupled or decoupled. In the disclosed embodiment, the first connector  20  may be attached to the shaving cartridge  102  of the product and the second connector  30  may be attached to the handle of the product. The first connector  20  and the second connector  30  may be integrally formed with the shaving cartridge  102  and the handle, respectively. However, it is contemplated that the first connector  20  and the second connector  30  may be separate from the shaving cartridge  102  and the handle, respectively, and may attach to the shaving cartridge  102  and the handle via an attachment connection such as an interference-fit connection. 
     As illustrated by  FIGS.  3 - 9   , the first connector  20  and the second connector  30  may be configured to transition between a coupled state and an uncoupled state. The first connector  20  and the second connector  30  may transition between the coupled state and the uncoupled state along an axis A-A. In the disclosed embodiment, the first connector  20  is received by the second connector  30  along the axis A-A. In the coupled state, the first connector  20  may be securely coupled to the second connector  30  in a locked relationship (see  FIG.  7   ). In the uncoupled state, the first connector  20  may be decoupled from the second connector  30  (see  FIG.  3   ). The first connector  20  may be ejected or released from the locked relationship with the second connector  30 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  3   , the first connector  20  may include an extension  22  configured to extend along the axis A-A. The extension  22  may be configured to project away from the shaving cartridge  102 . The first connector  20  may include an engagement surface  24  configured to engage the second coupling element  70  as the first connector  20  and the second connector  30  transition from the uncoupled state to the coupled state. The extension  22 , and thus the first connector  20 , may define a slot  26  configured to receive and/or engage the first coupling element  50 . Receipt and/or engagement of the first coupling element  50  within the slot  26  of the first connector  20  may secure the locked relationship between the first connector  20  and the second connector  30 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  3   , the second connector  30  may define a cavity  32  configured to extend along the axis A-A. The cavity  32  may extend to an inner wall  34  of the second connector  30 . The cavity  32 , and thus the second connector  30 , may be configured to receive the first connector  20 . In the disclosed embodiment, the second connector  30  may include a first housing part  36   a  and an opposing second housing part  36   b . The first housing part  36   a  and the second housing part  36   b  may engage each other to define the cavity  32 . The first housing part  36   a  may include retention tabs  38 a which are received in complementary retention openings  38 b defined by the second housing part  36   b . It is also contemplated that the first housing part  36   a  and the second housing part  36   b  may be constructed as one integral structure. 
     The first coupling member  50 , the second coupling member  70 , and the third coupling member  90  may be present on and/or included within the second connector  30  so that all magnetic components and metallic components may be present on and/or included within the handle, and not the shaving cartridge  102 . As such, the coupling mechanism  10  is configured to utilize magnetic components and metallic components for coupling and decoupling the shaving cartridge  102  to and from the handle, while ensuring that the shaving cartridge  102  is free from utilizing the magnetic and metallic components. 
     The first coupling member  50  may be configured to pivot about the second connector  30 . As such, the first housing part  36   a  of the second connector  30  may include a recess  40  for receiving the first coupling element  50 . The recess  40  may include a pivot groove  42  for receiving a pivot bar  52  included by the first coupling element  50 . The pivot bar  52  may be configured to pivot within the pivot groove  42  to allow the first coupling element  50  to pivot about the second connector  30 . The second connector  30  may define an opening  44  configured to receive a locking member  54  of the first coupling element  50  due to pivoting of the first coupling element  50 . The opening  44  may receive the locking member  54  of the first coupling element  50  so that the first coupling element  50  may engage the slot  26  of the first connector  20 . As such, the opening  44  is configured to align with the slot  26 . 
     The cavity  32  may be configured to receive the second coupling element  70 . As such, the second coupling element  70  may be positioned within the cavity  32 . The second coupling element  70  may extend throughout the cavity  32  to the inner wall  34  of the second connector  30 . The third coupling element  90  may also be positioned within the cavity  32  of the second connector  30 . The third coupling element  90  may be configured to be attracted to the second coupling element  70 . Additionally or alternatively, the third coupling element  90  may be configured to repel the first coupling element  50 . The third coupling element  90  may be a magnetic component or a metallic component secured to the second connector  30 . In the disclosed embodiment, the third coupling element  90  is a magnet  92 . The magnet  92  may be secured to the second housing part  36   b.    
     As illustrated by  FIGS.  3 - 9   , the first coupling element  50  may be configured to move between a first coupling element first position and a first coupling element second position. In the disclosed embodiment, the first coupling element  50  may pivot between the first coupling element first position and the first coupling element second position. In the first coupling element first position, the locking member  54  of the first coupling element  50  may not extend through the opening  44  defined by the second connector  30  to engage the slot  26  defined by the first connector  20 . In the first coupling element second position, the locking member  54  of the first coupling element  50  may extend through the opening  44  defined by the second connector  30  to engage the slot  26  defined by the first connector  20 . The locking member  54  may extend through the slot  26  when the locking member  54  engages the slot  26 . Extension of the locking member  54  through the slot  26  may restrict the first connector  20  from moving axially away from the second connector  30 , in order to restrict decoupling of the first connector  20  and the second connector  30 . 
     The first coupling element  50  may be configured to be attracted to the second coupling element  70 . Additionally or alternatively, the first coupling element  50  may be configured to repel the third coupling element  90 . Attraction and repulsion of the first coupling element  50  may be configured to cause the first coupling element  50  to move between the first coupling element first position and the first coupling element second position and to secure the first coupling element  50  in the first coupling element second position. As such, the first coupling element  50  may include a magnetic component or a metallic component. In the disclosed embodiment, the first coupling element  50  may include a magnet  56  secured to the locking member  54 . In the disclosed embodiment, like poles of the magnet  56  of the first coupling element  50  and the magnet  92  of the third coupling element  90  may face each other, causing repulsion between the first coupling element  50  and the third coupling element  90 . 
     As illustrated by  FIGS.  3 - 9   , the second coupling element  70  may be configured to be attracted to the first coupling element  50 . Additionally, the second coupling element  70  may be configured to be attracted to the third coupling element  90 . As such, the second coupling element  70  may include a magnetic component or a metallic component. In examples, the second coupling element  70  may include a ferromagnetic material. In the disclosed embodiment, the second coupling element  70  may include a metal plate  72  secured to a base  74 . The second coupling element  70  may be configured to move between a second coupling element first position and a second coupling element second position. In the second coupling element first position, the metal plate  72  of the second coupling element  70  may not be aligned with the slot  26  of the first connector  20 , the opening of the second connector  30 , and/or the magnet  92  of the third coupling element  90 . In the second coupling element second position, the metal plate  72  of the second coupling element  70  may align with the slot  26  of the first connector  20 , the opening of the second connector  30 , and/or the magnet  92  of the third coupling element  90 . Movement of the second coupling element  70  from the second coupling element first position to the second coupling element second position may cause the first coupling element  50  to move from the first coupling element first position to the first coupling element second position. Movement of the second coupling element  70  from the second coupling element second position toward the second coupling element first position may cause the first coupling element  50  to move from the first coupling element second position to the first coupling element first position. 
     The second coupling element  70  may include a first bias member  76 . Additionally or alternatively, the second coupling element  70  may include a pusher  78 , separate from the base  74 , which includes the first bias member  76 ; however, it is contemplated that the base  74  and the pusher  78  may be constructed as one integral structure. The first bias member  76  may bias the second coupling element  70  toward the second coupling element first position. The first bias member  76  may be configured to be compressed against the inner wall  34  of the second connector  30 . The first bias member  76  may also be secured to the inner wall  34  of the second connector  30 . In the disclosed embodiment, the first bias member  76  is a coil spring; however, a person having ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that other bias members may be compatible with the coupling mechanism  10 . The second coupling element  70  may include a second bias member  80 . The second bias member  80  may have a greater stiffness than the first bias member  76 . The second bias member  80  may be included on the base  74 . The second bias member  80  may be configured to be compressed against the engagement surface  24  of the first connector  20 . The first connector  20  may be configured to move the second coupling element  70  from the second coupling element first position to the second coupling element second position. In the disclosed embodiment, the second bias member  80  is a coil spring; however, a person having ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that other bias members may be compatible with the coupling mechanism  10 . The second coupling element  70  may include a button  82  configured to be manipulated by a user. Manipulation of the button  82  by the user may cause the second coupling element  70  to move from the second coupling element second position to the second coupling element first position to decouple the first connector  20  from the second connector  30 . 
     As illustrated by  FIGS.  4 - 6   , insertion of the first connector  20  into the cavity  32  of the second connector  30  may transition the first connector  20  and the second connector  30  from the decoupled state to the coupled state. In operation, insertion of the first connector  20  into the cavity  32  of the second connector  30  may cause the engagement surface  24  of the first connector  20  to engage the second bias member  80 . As the first connector  20  is inserted further into the second connector  30 , the first bias member  76  may compress such that the second coupling element  70  may move towards the second coupling element second position. Moving the second coupling element  70  toward the second coupling element second position may allow the slot  26  of the first connector  20  to align with the opening  44  of the second connector  30 . Additionally, movement of the second coupling element  70  toward the second coupling element second position may move the metal plate  72  of the second coupling element  70  into alignment with the slot  26  of the first connector  20 , the opening  44  of the second connector  30 , and the magnet  92  of the third coupling element  90 . Once the first bias member  76  reaches maximum compression, movement of the first connector  20  into the second connector  30  causes the second bias member  80  to compress so that the second coupling element  70  may align with the third coupling element  90 . Once the second coupling element  70  is aligned with the third coupling element  90 , the metal plate  72  of the second coupling element  70  may be aligned with the slot  26  of the first connector  20 , the opening  44  of the second connector  30 , and the magnet  92  of the third coupling element  90 . The magnet  92  of the third coupling element  90  may attract the metal plate  72  of the second coupling element  70 . Additionally, the metal plate  72  of the second coupling element  70  may be positioned between the magnet  92  of the third coupling element  90  and the magnet  56  of the first coupling element  50 . Positioning of the metal plate  72  of the second coupling element  70  between the magnet  92  of the third coupling element  90  and the magnet  56  of the first coupling element  50  may block the repulsion between the magnet  92  of the third coupling element  90  and the magnet  56  of the first coupling element  50 . Additionally, the metal plate  72  of the second coupling element  70  may attract the magnet  56  of the first coupling element  50 . Attraction of the magnet  56  of the first coupling element  50  may cause the first coupling element  50  to pivot towards the opening  44  of the second connector  30  and the slot  26  of the first connector  20 . The locking member  54  may pivot into the opening  44  of the second connector  30  and the slot  26  of the first connector  20  so that the locking member  54  engages the slot  26  of the first connector  20 . Engagement of the slot  26  of the first connector  20  by the locking member  54  of the first coupling element  50 , with a magnetic attraction between the magnet  56  of the first coupling element  50  and the metal plate  72  of the second coupling element  70  and the magnet  92  of the third coupling element  90  and the metal plate  72  of the second coupling element  70 , may hold the first connector  20  and the second connector  30  in a secure, locked relationship. 
     As illustrated by  FIGS.  7 - 9   , manipulation of the button  82  by a user may cause the button  80  to push the second coupling element  70  from the second coupling element second position toward the second coupling element first position. Pushing the second coupling element  70  toward the second coupling element first position may cause the metal plate  72  of the second coupling element  70  to no longer align with the magnet  56  of the first coupling element  50  and the magnet  92  of the third coupling element  90 . Once the metal plate  72  of the second coupling element  70  is no longer aligned with the magnet  56  of the first coupling element  50  and the magnet  92  of the third coupling element  90 , the magnet  56  of the first coupling element  50  and the magnet  92  of the third coupling element  90  may repel each other and force the locking member  54  out of engagement with the slot  26  of the first connector  20 . Once the locking member  54  is forced out of engagement with the slot  26  of the first connector  20 , the first bias member  76  and/or the second bias member  80  may expand, causing the first connector  20  to be ejected from the second connector  30 . As such, the coupling mechanism  10  is configured to utilize magnetic components and metallic components for coupling and decoupling the shaving cartridge  102  to and from the handle, without the use of magnetic components or metallic components included by the shaving cartridge  102 . 
     Although the present disclosure herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present disclosure. 
     It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims. 
     Additionally, all of the disclosed features of an apparatus may be transposed, alone or in combination, to a method and vice versa.