Abstract:
Razor handle extension shaving assembly for extending the reach of a razor shaving apparatus via handle means. There is disclosed a razor handle extension shaving assembly that is easy to use and manufacture having a simplistic, yet efficient design for a handle extension assembly having a substantially unitary structure without relative moving parts. The assembly is comprised of lightweight materials and containing an array of fluid flow apertures for facilitating use in wet and/or slippery conditions. A unique razor device retention mechanism consisting of a frictional grip means and razor receiving means operatively coupled to one another are distinctive features and said means is adapted to receive a variety of differently sized razor devices. Another feature of the assembly lies in a unique handle structure having an angled portion along a reduced diameter middle portion.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a razor shaving apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to extending the reach of a razor shaving apparatus via handle means. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    One disadvantage to using conventional razor devices is the limited length of the razor handle. Customary razor devices only provide a reach range being substantially equal to that of a user&#39;s hand holding the razor to substantially adjacent the area being shaved by the razor. The limited length of conventional razor handles does not extend the reach of the individual much further beyond the reach of their hands. This often presents a problem in various situations such as to women in pregnancy, or persons with physical impairments who, because of their physical condition, find it difficult to bend and/or reach the particular target areas being shaved. The prior art addresses this problem in several different ways. 
         [0003]    The U.S. patent to Doyle, U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,222 issued Feb. 20, 2001, for an Articulated Razor Handle Extension shows a means for extending the handle of a razor device using a handle having articulated arm joints. The U.S. patent to Olson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,887, issued Feb. 11, 1997, for a Flexible Easy-Rinsing Razor teaches of an extendable razor handle having an elongating telescoping handle for facilitating ease of rinsing and cleaning. The U.S. patent to Zowaski, U.S. Pat. No. 626,688, issued Jul. 31, 2001, for a Reaching Razor, illustrates a razor with a flexible extended handle having a series of segmented links (see  FIG. 2 ) providing the structure for the elongated handle. 
         [0004]    In the U.S. Published Patent Publication No. 2003/0177649 to Zeiter, issued Sep. 25, 2003, there is disclosed an Extension Shaver and Method. This published patent application shows a unique extendable razor device having a handle that has joints for changing the arc (and thus the angle) of the razor handle with attachment means of the handle to the razor comprising a nuts and bolts type of connection. The U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,069 to Quinn, entitled Razor Reach, issued Dec. 1, 1992, illustrates a razor shaving apparatus having a telescoping, extendable handle with the razor being attached by way of a pivot. The U.S. patent to Morgan, U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,480 issued on Jun. 15, 1999 entitled Razor Having Extendable Handle with Adjustable Positions, shows a razor having an extendable, telescoping handle with a telescoping segment which is slidingly movable and frictionally securable. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,372, entitled Razor Handle Extension to Willis illustrates a razor extending device having a receiving means at the distal end for receiving and retaining a razor. For example, in  FIG. 3 , the friction ring structure for holding a razor in place is shown. 
         [0005]    There are various design patents that show designs addressing the problem of extending the reach of razor and/or shaving devices. The U.S. Design Pat. No. D560032 to Lopez, issued Jan. 15, 2008, for a Razor Handle Extension shows a razor extending device which also holds and receives a razor at an open end. The U.S. Design Pat. No. D472673 to Corvetta, issued Apr. 1, 2003, for a Wand for Razor Handle Extension, shows a design of a razor extending device which also holds and receives a razor at an open end. U.S. Design Pat. No. D5000172 for an Extended Reach Razor to Fields patented Dec. 21, 2004, shows a razor having an elongated handle portion. 
         [0006]    What is needed to overcome the problem of lack of reach with regard to shaving devices is a razor shaving apparatus having a handle mechanism with. Such an apparatus would enable a user to extend the reach of a shaving blade of the apparatus significantly beyond the reach of their hands. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    This present invention approaches the problem of providing extended reach for a user of a razor shaving device by providing the particulars of a unique handle extension assembly. 
         [0008]    In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a razor handle extension shaving assembly that is easy to use and manufacture having a simplistic, yet efficient design for a handle extension assembly having a substantially unitary structure without relative moving parts. 
         [0009]    In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a razor handle extension shaving assembly comprised of lightweight materials and containing an array of fluid flow apertures for facilitating use in wet and/or slippery conditions. 
         [0010]    In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a razor handle extension shaving assembly comprised a unique razor device retention mechanism consisting of a frictional grip means and razor receiving means operatively coupled to one another. 
         [0011]    In a further aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a razor handle extension shaving assembly adapted to receive a variety of differently sized razor devices due to the particulars of the razor receiving mechanism components. 
         [0012]    In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a razor handle extension shaving assembly providing a unique handle structure having an angled portion along a reduced diameter middle portion. 
         [0013]    These and other advantages of the invention will become more apparent after reading the description and claims which follow. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Throughout the following views, reference numerals will be used on the drawings, and the same reference numerals will be used throughout the several views and in the description to indicate same or like parts of the invention. Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the drawings, in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of shaving handle extension apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a top elevational view of the shaving handle extension apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a bottom elevational view of shaving handle extension apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the shaving handle extension apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed invention; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 5A  is an exploded elevational perspective of the shaving handle extension apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a reverse, bottom exploded view of  FIG. 5A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    The Shaving Handle Extension Assembly (SHEA)  100  of the present invention is shown in the perspective illustrations of  FIGS. 1-5 , each showing different views thereof. As it can be seen in the perspective side view of  FIG. 1 , the SHEA  100  is designed to frictionally receive a Razor Shaving Device (RSD)  200  and subsequently serve as an extending mechanism to manually provide longitudinal extension length to any variety of razor shaving devices  200  for functions associated with hair removal. In this unique extension assembly, an upper handle section  110  and a lower handle section  160  are adjoined together to form a substantially hollow inner chamber for providing a passageway for fluid flow, and for providing a housing for razor gripping receiving means comprising a Razor Receiving Mechanism (RRM)  120  and a Frictional Grip Means  140 . 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, the SHEA  100  may be sized and dimensioned to have a length in the range of 15 to 18 inches. The body of the SHEA  100  has an angled waist portion  150  which forms the substantially curvilinear shape of the handle extension and is defined by the area by which the minimum width, or narrowed waist portion, of the body of the SHEA  100  is the smallest. This angle, θ is characterized by an obtuse angle having range of approximately 160 to 170 degrees, i.e., 13 to 15 degrees deflection off the horizontal plane. The angled waist portion  150  has a diameter, D AWP  of about 0.64 inches, but can range from approximately 0.5 to 0.7 inches, which is concentrically smaller that the diameter of both the proximal end portion P and distal end portion D. Furthermore, the vertex of the obtuse angle lies within the narrowed waist portion of the SHEA  100 . 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, the diameter of the proximal end portion D PE  and the diameter of the distal end portion D DE  can range between approximately 1.25 to 2.0 inches, and are both greater than D AWP  the diameter of the angled waist portion  150 . Furthermore, the diameter of the proximal end portion D PE  and the diameter of the distal end portion D DE  can be equal to one another, or in some embodiments, they may be unequal. Nonetheless, the diameter D AWP  of the angled waist portion  150  has a diameter ratio of about 35-40%, relative to the diameter of the proximal end portion D PE  and the diameter of the distal end portion D DE . Therefore, it follows that: 
         [0000]      D AWP &lt;D PE    
         [0000]      and 
         [0000]      D AWP &lt;D DE    
         [0000]    This narrowed concentric diameter is critical for facilitating the angled body portion of the SHEA  100 . 
         [0024]    Furthermore, it also follows that the diameters of each angled waist portions  101 , and  161  of the upper handle section  110  and lower handle section  160 , respectively, have the same width, therefore  101 = 161 . It is to be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, that the length of the SHEA  100  may vary in range, however, the proportions of the length of the SHEA  100  to the diameter of the proximal end portion D PE  and the diameter of the distal end portion D DE  as well as to that of the diameter D AWP  of the angled waist portion  150  have relative proportions that define the particular dimensions of the SHEA  100 . 
         [0025]    As seen in  FIG. 2 , the proximal end portion P of the SHEA  100  has a first and second set of fluid apertures  164   a  and  164   b  for facilitating fluid flow there through. This is useful when the apparatus is being utilized in conjunction with water sources for aiding in the process for the removal of hair. For instance, when in use, shaving devices are often used along with sources of water for the washing or rinsing of the hair being removed from a target area of the body. This may include baths or shower environments where a shaver may conveniently remove hair during bathing. 
         [0026]    The first set of fluid apertures  164   a  are shown having longitudinally elongated forms and the second set of fluid apertures  164   b  are shown having more circular formations. The first set of fluid apertures  164   a  may have larger dimensions than that of the second set of fluid apertures  164   a , to provide drainage for larger and/or semi solid materials to exit the inner chamber during usage, such as for example, creams, shaving creams, and the like. It is to be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the dimensions, (i.e., shapes) of the apertures  164   a  and  164   b  can be of any shape, as the shape is not necessarily critical to the requirement of the function of facilitating fluid flow out of the inner hollow body of the SHEA  100 . Furthermore, although they are shown arranged such that the first set  164   a  are grouped together and separate from the second set  164   b , it is to be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the relative arrangements and positions thereof can vary without any changes to the scope of the invention. 
         [0027]    Since this SHEA  100  may be often used with water and/or other creams, such as shaving creams or hair removal products, handle grip means  130  and razor receiving mechanism  120  are on either ends of the SHEA  100  to provide friction elements for gripping and holding the distal end of the handle body D. In one embodiment  130 , handle grip means  130  is located on the distal end portion D of the handle body in a distal aperture  108  and is adapted for frictional grasping of the underside of the SHEA  100 . Although this handle grip means  130  is shown as a separate element, it is well within the scope of the invention to manufacture the grip means  130  integrally within the handle body and moreover at more than one location. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, a placement aperture  105  is formed in the distal end portion D of the SHEA  100  and is used for placing or hanging the assembly  100  for storage when not in use. This placement aperture  105  may be used to place the assembly  100  among hooks, or the like, for hanging and/or storage. The placement aperture  105  is formed by the upper aperture  115  and the lower aperture  165  of the upper and lower handle portions  110  and  160 , respectively (note  FIGS. 1 and 5 ). 
         [0029]    The underside of the SHEA  100  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 , showing a plan view of the second handle section  160 . The frictional grip and receiving means comprising the RRM  120  and the FGM  140  are shown at the proximal end P. The RRM  120  comprises a recessed hole  109  sized and dimensioned to frictionally house a portion of the RRM  120  and FGM  140 . This recessed hole  109  lies in a horizontal plane of the upper handle portion  110 . The RRM  120  also has a Razor Receiving Aperture (RRA)  122 . The RRA  122  is a longitudinal opening for receiving a razor device  200  therein and lies in a vertical plane perpendicular from a lateral opening  124  (discussed below). The RRA  122  has an elliptical form with a height RRA H  in the approximate range of about 0.6 to 0.72 inches and a width RRA W  in the approximate range of about 0.25 to 0.35 inches, thus an approximate ratio of approximately 42%, RRA W  to RRA H . 
         [0030]    Moreover, the elliptical form is critical for receiving, and thus, maintaining position of the razor device  200 . The compromised height RRA H  (in conjunction with the friction fitting of the  120  and  140 ) is such that it can fit a variety of narrowly dimensioned razor devices  200 . The width RRA W  is dimensioned to accommodate varying widths of razor devices  200 , including those with thin or tapered handle widths. Hence, the elliptical RRA  122  configuration embodies criticality in that the relative ratio of the height to the width being within 40-41%. 
         [0031]    The RRA  122  is sized and dimensioned to operatively receive razor devices having an array of handle sizes. Furthermore, the RRM  120  has a lateral opening  124  serving as a major drainage conduit for fluids. The FGM  140  is operatively connected to the RRA  122 , and together form a gripping razor receiving means, both of which are discussed in further detail below with regard to  FIGS. 5A and 5B .  FIG. 4  illustrates a front perspective view of the SHEA  100 , showing the proximal end P. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  best illustrates the components that comprise the SHEA  100 . In these exploded diagrams, the relationship of the major components to one another can be gleaned.  FIG. 5A  illustrates a top exploded view of the SHEA  100  and  FIG. 5B  illustrates a reverse, bottom exploded view of  FIG. 5A . In this view the components are shown in an unassembled state, however, when assembled, the upper handle portion  110  and the lower handle portion  160  are adjoined to one another via an array of fastening means  162  and  112 . The set of upper handle fastening means  112  are each arranged to matingly engage the set of lower handle fastening means  162 . 
         [0033]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the corresponding array of fastening means  112  and  162  are shown in a snap post mechanism, having mating male-female configurations such that upon assembly they are fittingly pressed into one another to mechanically couple the upper and lower handle sections  110  and  160  to one another. It is well known that other, suitable and/or equivalent adjoining means can be employed for augmenting the bond of the fasting means  112  and  162  (such as, for example, including bonding in addition to, or in lieu of a snap post mechanism as illustrated. It is further well known that the adjoining can be a mechanical (e.g., snap posting), chemical bonding (e.g., via any variety of epoxies, bonding solvents, or resins), or via other adjoining means (e.g. material molding of parts) without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0034]    As can also be seen in further detail in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , some of the structural characteristics that provide functionality for the FSM  140  are illustrated. In one embodiment, the FSM  140  comprises a longitudinal base  145  having a plurality raised teeth-like flanges members  142 , extending substantially perpendicularly from said base  145 . In as much as the height of said flange members  142  may be quantified by H. In addition, H FM  is substantially greater than, or equal to the RRA  122  maximum width RRA W . Therefore, it follows that: 
         [0000]      H FM ≧RRA W .
 
         [0000]    This particular dimension is of the FSM  140  is such that the height of the flange members  142  substantially occlude the RRA  122  to facilitate a secure, fitted, frictional engagement of a RSD  200 . 
         [0035]    The plurality of raised flanged members  142  also serve to maintain proper placement of the RSD  200 . The snug, friction fitting of this substantially flexible FSM  140  along with the longitudinal arrangement of the flange members  142 , exert normal forces on a RSD  200  inserted through RRA  12  between the frictional grip and receiving means of the RRM  120  and FGM  140 . The lateral opening  124  may serve to provide a visual access to check the proper placement of a RSD  200 . Furthermore, this lateral opening  124  may also be sized and dimensioned to provide access for manual manipulation of an inserted RSD  200  to ensure proper placement before use. Moreover, in any unlikely event that an RSD  200  is lodged improperly or breaks during usage, the lateral opening  124  may serve as a point of access and may be employed to dislodge the RSD  200 . 
         [0036]    With regard to material considerations, in one embodiment, the upper and lower handle sections  110  and  160  may be comprised of high grade engineered plastics having a higher durometer (e.g., such as Shore D scaled plastics) such as, for example, poly carbonates, and substantially rigid. In one embodiment, the material of both the RRM  120  and FGM  140  are comprised of a softer, more flexible material than the upper and lower handle sections  110  and  160 . Both the RRM  120  and FGM  140  may be comprised of any suitable rubber-type material such as, rubbers and/or elastomers commonly used for softer plastics (e.g., such as Shore A scaled elastomers) such as polyolefins, fluoropolymers, and vinyls. These are just exemplary listings, and it is herein noted that other non-plastic materials may be employed as well which may be suitable for manufacture of the SHEA  100 . 
         [0037]    The RRM  120  also comprises a set of gripping strips  126  on either lateral side thereof which serve the dual purposes of first providing friction handling means for a user of the SHEA  100 ; and second as a structural engagement means having latch engaging mechanism  128  therein for matingly receiving the latch means  166  of the proximal end P of lower handle section  160  (see  FIG. 5B ). The latch engaging mechanism  128  is a female receiving structure sized, dimensioned and adapted to receive the latch engaging mechanism  128  which may be correspondingly sized, dimensioned and adapted to provide a male fitting therein. 
         [0038]    In the foregoing manner, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the figures. Although only exemplary embodiments are of the present disclosure are described, the present invention is not to be limited to specific details so described. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provided above. Numerous changes and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.