Patent Abstract:
A razor includes a handle and detachable blade cartridge. The end of the handle has a pivot sphere upon which the blade cartridge is rotatably mounted, with freedom to pivot around three axes of the handle, and otherwise holds its orientation relative to the handle. The blade cartridge is held to the pivot sphere by a clevis having recesses defined in at least the inner side surfaces of its legs. The recesses, together with the clevis, are sized to admit the pivot sphere between them and to hold the sphere therein once admitted. The clevis and/or the pivot sphere can be formed of a resilient injection molded plastic. The range of motion of the blade cartridge can be limited by forming one or more stops on the pivot sphere to interact with the clevis and thereby interrupt its free rotation.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/372,662, filed Aug. 11, 2010. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present invention relates to the field of consumer products and particularly to a razor with blade holder that is pivotable around three axes. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     In a shaving tool for personal grooming, one well-known design is the safety razor that has a blade cartridge holding one or more blades at an appropriate angle for shaving, with the blade cartridge connected to a handle. As the face, etc. or other body portion being shaven is not flat, the user must articulate the handle around three axes while moving the blade over the skin to achieve a suitable result. This requires a certain level of dexterity on the part of the user. 
     In recognition of this, it is known to mount the blade cartridge to the handle in a manner to allow the blade cartridge to pivot around an axis parallel to the cutting edge(s) of the blades. However, this limited range of motion still requires the manual dexterity of the user to rotate the blade around other axes. Therefore, a better solution is lacking. 
     SUMMARY 
     A razor according to the instant disclosure includes a handle and detachable blade cartridge. The end of the handle has a pivot sphere upon which the blade cartridge is rotatably mounted, with freedom to pivot around three axes of the handle, and otherwise holds its orientation relative to the handle. The blade cartridge is held to the pivot sphere by a clevis having recesses defined in at least the inner side surfaces of its legs. The recesses, together with the clevis, are sized to admit the pivot sphere between them and to hold the sphere therein once admitted. The clevis and/or the pivot sphere can be formed of a resilient injection molded plastic. The range of motion of the blade cartridge may be limited by forming one or more stops on the pivot sphere to interact with the clevis and thereby interrupt its free rotation. 
     In a particular embodiment, a personal grooming apparatus comprises a handle having a gripping portion and an attachment portion operative to rotably support a cartridge for rotational movement around at least two axes. The cartridge includes a clevis with first and second opposed legs, spaced from one another, each of the first and second legs having a respective recess in a side facing the opposing leg, the respective recesses sized, shaped and positioned such that the attachment portion is received simultaneously in both recesses, with the cartridge being pivotably mounted upon the attachment portion with freedom of motion around at least two axes. 
     In a further embodiment, the cartridge comprises a central recess between the first and second legs receiving and substantially covering an end of the attachment portion. The attachment portion may comprise a sphere or part thereof having a first radius. The sphere or part thereof may comprise a plurality of elements approximating the surface of the sphere. At least one of the plurality of elements approximating the surface of the sphere may be resilient to facilitate attachment between the sphere or part thereof with the cartridge. 
     In a further embodiment, the central recess may comprise either a spherical section or a toroidal section, the spherical section or toroidal section being defined by a radius substantially equal to, or greater than, the first radius of the sphere or part thereof. 
     The recesses in each of the first and second legs may be either cylindrical or spherical recesses. At least one of the recesses in each of the first and second legs may be a through opening that perforates the side of its respective first or second leg facing away from the opposing leg. 
     In a further embodiment, at least one of the first and second legs comprises a relief portion inclined toward the opposing one of said first and second legs, said relief portion being operative to facilitate the insertion of the attachment portion between the first and second legs. The relief portion may comprise a spherical section surface, optionally having a radius substantially equal to or greater than that of the sphere of the attachment potion, where the attachment portion is provided with a sphere or part thereof. 
     In a particular embodiment, at least one of the first and second legs comprise a resilient material, said leg being operative to deflect under the pressure of the attachment portion upon insertion of the attachment portion between the first and second legs, and thereby admit the attachment portion between the first and second legs. 
     In a further embodiment, the attachment portion further comprises at least one stop extending above its surface to partially obstruct the rotation of the cartridge when the cartridge is mounted upon the attachment portion. In a further embodiment, two symmetric and diametrically opposed stops are provided. 
     The cartridge may be mounted on the attachment portion operative to hold the orientation of the cartridge with respect to the handle at rest, yet pivot freely under an applied pressure. 
     The attachment portion may comprise an attachment arm by which it is mounted to the handle. The attachment arm may extend at an angle to the axis of the handle. The attachment arm may further be configured to reduce in diameter, for example as a frusto-conical shape, and may further be attached to the handle by the relatively larger-diameter portion of the attachment arm. 
     These and other features, advantages and benefits of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description. 
    
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a razor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, in an exploded assembly view wherein a blade cartridge thereof is separated from the handle along the phantom line. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an alternate embodiment of a razor according to the present disclosure, as a detail view of the end of handle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , illustrated is an exploded assembly view of a three axis safety razor, generally  10 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The razor  10  includes a handle  12 , and a blade cartridge  14  pivotally connected to the handle  12 . The handle  12  includes a gripping portion  16 . The gripping portion  16  is illustrated as generally cylindrical, however, it is contemplated, and, in fact, preferred that the gripping portion  16  have some features to enhance its friction when held in the hand of the user. 
     Among these features, without limitation, the shape of the gripping portion  16  may be varied from the generally right circular cylinder as illustrated, for example, to other prismatic shapes such as triangular, rectangular (including square) or hexagonal prisms, among others, and/or to optionally include some combination of lands and curves. The gripping portion  16  may be further provided with one or more localized depressions  17  and/or protuberances  19  to receive the fingers of a user&#39;s hand. The surface of the gripping portion  16  may be provided with texture and/or friction enhancements, including without limitation knurling, localized or general surface roughening, and friction-enhancing appliqués  21 , including those which may raise the height of the surface to which they are applied. 
     At a first end  18  of the handle  12 , a pivot sphere  20  is secured to and/or made part of the handle  12 . Designating the structure as a pivot sphere does not preclude the possibility that the pivot sphere may be only partially spherical, as described further below. In a further embodiment, shown for example in  FIG. 2 , the pivot sphere may be formed by a plurality of elements  40  approximating a sphere (or part thereof). Optionally, those elements  40  may themselves be resilient to deform from a spherical surface to permit the pivot sphere  20  to be connected with the blade cartridge  14 . Moreover, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the gaps  42  between elements  40  are substantially parallel with one another and circumferential with the sphere  20 . This need not be the case, however. As well, the gaps may be formed around poles of the sphere that are not substantially aligned with the stops  32   a ,  32   b , as illustrated. For example, the gaps  42  may be formed to meet at or near the attachment with arm  22 . Other variations will be apparent to those of skill in the art, in light of the instant disclosure. 
     Returning to the exemplary embodiment, pivot sphere  20  is mounted to the handle  12  at the end of an arm  22 . Arm  22  preferably achieves a reduction in diameter from the gripping portion  16  of the handle  12 , to reduce and/or avoid obstructing the pivoting of the blade cartridge  14  about the pivot sphere  20 . In the exemplary embodiment, arm  22  is frusto-conical in shape, with a smaller diameter end adjacent to and connected with the pivot sphere. Moreover, the arm  22  may be offset such that its longitudinal axis diverges from a longitudinal axis of the handle  12  generally, or gripping portion  16  specifically, in order to further distance the blade cartridge  14  from the handle  12 . In alternate embodiments, the arm  22  supporting the pivot sphere  20  may be mounted along the length of the handle  12 , rather than at or near an end. One manner of mounting the arm  22  may be substantially perpendicular to the axis of the handle  12 , approximating a “T”-shape between the handle  12  and the arm  22 . Other configurations, e.g., “C”, “J”, “L”, “Y”-shaped combinations of handle  12  and arm  22 , are clearly conceivable within the scope of the instant disclosure. 
     Blade cartridge  14  includes a clevis  24  for pivotably securing the blade cartridge  14  to the pivot sphere  20 . The clevis  24  includes two opposed legs  24   a ,  24   b . Each leg  24   a ,  24   b  has a hole  26   a ,  26   b , respectively. In the exemplary embodiment, holes  26   a ,  26   b  are through holes which traverse their respective legs  24   a ,  24   b , however, they need not perforate the legs  24   a ,  24   b  entirely. Holes  26   a ,  26   b  are sized and spaced such that the clevis  24  can be installed over the pivot sphere  20 , and be retained there in connection with the handle  12 . The tolerances of fit between the clevis  24 , specifically holes  26   a ,  26   b , and pivot sphere  20 , are readily adjustable by those having skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the tolerances are set to achieve a fit between clevis  24  and sphere  20  such that the cartridge  14  holds its orientation with respect to the handle  12  at rest, yet pivots freely under any applied pressure. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the clevis  24  is optionally provided with a recess  30 , between legs  24   a ,  24   b  and below holes  26   a ,  26   b . The recess may be configured as a spherical section, or alternately may resemble a portion of a torus. The radius of the recess  30  when configured as a spherical section, or the outer radius of the torus section where configured as such, is preferably no smaller than the diameter of the pivot sphere  20 . The recess should not interfere with the pivoting of the blade cartridge on the pivot sphere. A close fit between the pivot sphere  20  and the recess  30  may enhance the ability of the cartridge  14  to hold its position, and can also inhibit the ingress of water or shaving detritus (e.g., foam, cut hair, etc.) that might inhibit the ability of the cartridge to change position under pressure. 
     The nature of the fit between the clevis  24  and the pivot sphere  20  is that the maximum diameter of the pivot sphere  20  is greater than the distance between the legs  24   a ,  24   b , and their included holes  26   a ,  26   b , or more specifically, the nearest facing surfaces of legs  24   a ,  24   b  and/or holes  26   a ,  26   b . To accommodate the assembly of the cartridge  14  with the handle  12 , either the pivot sphere  20 , or one or both of legs  24   a ,  24   b , or any of them, may be constructed of a resilient material which yields to the degree necessary to mate the cartridge  14  to the handle  12 , yet return to their previous respective states once assembled. 
     The clevis  24  may be provided with one or more relief portions  28   a ,  28   b  as illustrated. Relief portions in this exemplary embodiment are generally spherical sections, and preferably have a radius at least as great as that of the pivot sphere  20 . Relief portions  28   a ,  28   b  guide and ease the interface between the pivot sphere  20  and the clevis  24  on their assembly. In connection with this, making the interface between the pivot sphere  20  and the clevis  24  easy and reliable makes it possible to allow the user to exchange and replace the blade cartridge  14  at that interface in the ordinary course of use. This eliminates the need for an additional point of separation to achieve a blade change, thereby simplifying the construction of the blade cartridge  14 . However, this does not exclude an additional point of separation, pivoting and/or articulation in connection with blade cartridge  14  described in the present disclosure. 
     The clevis  24  described herein is advantageously formed of an injection molded plastic and/or metal, for economic benefits in cost of material and manufacture. Alternately, the clevis  24  can be formed and injection molded integrally with the frame of the blade cartridge  14 , which is completed by the addition of the blades themselves, among other accessories as desired. 
     As described above, a razor  10  has a blade cartridge  14  that can freely move around three axes of the handle  12 . However, while such freedom of motion is desirable, it may be further desired to limit the range of motion of the blade cartridge  14 , for example to avoid extreme or unusual orientations of the blade cartridge  14 . This can be accomplished by altering the shape of the pivot sphere  20 , for example to provide a stop  32 . The stop  32  is sized and positioned to obstruct the clevis  24 , and thereby limit its range of motion about the pivot sphere  20 . In the exemplary embodiment disclosed, the stop  32  is formed integrally with the remainder of the pivot sphere  20 , as a molded part thereof. Alternately, the stop  32  may be a separate structure, secured either permanently or removably to the pivot sphere  20 , for example, without limitation, by adhesive or fastener. One or more such stops  32  may be provided, which individually or in combination can permit nearly any desired range of motion in the blade cartridge  14  about the handle  12 . 
     The stop  32  is illustrated in  FIG. 1  as a simple circular cylindrical projection. However, the size, shape and height of the stop  32 , or several of them, may be selected as desired in consideration of the shape of the clevis  24  and specifically its legs  24   a ,  24   b . The stop  32  may be shaped to obstruct movement in certain orientations, but not in others. As an example only, once connected in the orientation illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the stop  32  largely inhibits the lateral rotation of the blade cartridge  14 . On the other hand, the blade cartridge  14  is free to rotate about its transverse axis, to ‘lift its head’ in a manner of speaking. Having done so, the blade cartridge now has additional freedom of lateral rotation, not possible in the prior orientation because of the interaction of the legs  24   a ,  24   b  with the stop  32 . This discussion is offered merely as an example of the possible range of motion that could be obtained by the configuration of the stop  32 , and further alteration will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the instant disclosure. 
     In one embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 2 , two such stops  32   a ,  32   b  are substantially diametrically opposed to one another on the pivot sphere  20 . Stops  32   a ,  32   b  are, in this embodiment formed by deforming a spherical section into a plane, with the excess material rising above the surface of the sphere  20  to restrict the movement of the blade cartridge  14 . The embodiment of  FIG. 2  includes the planes formed by this method of creating stops  32   a ,  32   b  being angled with respect to one another. The planes are closer together at the attachment of the sphere  20  with the arm  22 . They may, in other embodiments, be angled differently, or parallel with each other. 
     The foregoing disclosure has been made with reference to certain exemplary and/or preferred features and embodiments. These are not limiting upon the scope of the disclosure. Certain modification, alterations, or substitutions will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1