Abstract:
A shaving razor apparatus provides (a) a shaving tool having (i) a handle; and (ii) a pivotable head mounted on the handle with a blade receiving and holding mechanism for receiving and holding a single edge razor blade suitable for cutting hair follicles. The shaving system further provides optional accessories.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is related to, is a continuation-in-part of, claims priority from and the benefit of the following U.S. provisional patent applications Ser. No. 62060410, filed Oct. 6, 2014; Ser. No. 62135592, filed Mar. 19, 2015; and Ser. No. 62174067, filed Jun. 11, 2015; all of which provisional applications&#39; disclosures are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and share an inventor with the present application. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates generally to shaving tools and systems thereof, and more particularly to a razor for securing a blade and accessories for shaving. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In the early to mid-20th century, both single and double edge safety razor tools were developed to replace the straight edge razor. Gillette® and Schick® were major competitors in this market. Some of the disadvantages of these early safety razors were: 
         [0004]    i) the head of the blade tool holding the blade did not pivot; 
         [0005]    ii) the handle and head of the tool were not ergonomically designed; and 
         [0006]    iii) the replaceable blades were made of materials that quickly caused the blade to become dull and rusted, thereby limiting the number of shaves with the razor before the razor blade needed to be replaced. 
         [0007]    More recently the leaders in the shaving razor industry have focused on developing and refining pivotable head, multiple-blade cartridge razor tools where the multiple blade cartridge was easily replaceable, thereby providing the manufacturer with a continuing market for replacement razor cartridges. Although the initial cost of the pivotable head, multi-blade cartridge razor tool is moderate, the price of the replaceable multiple blade cartridges continues to escalate with each new design release and the materials used for the cartridges and blades are not durable, such that the cost of a shave continues to increase. 
         [0008]    Therefore there is a need for an ergonomically designed, pivotable head, single blade razor with replaceable single edge blades made of more modern materials that remains sharp for many shaves. 
         [0009]    The following United States patents and published application provide additional background information: 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,184 discloses slot blade holder consisting of a mechanism for securing the rear flange of a standard single edge razor blade at its central aperture (FIGS. 1-5; Column 2, Lines 12-44; Claims 1-6). 
         [0011]    2002/0066186 discloses a blade formed from a single crystal ceramic material with mounting and positioning the blade (cutting element) in a blade unit, and guard element is disposed forwardly of the cutting edge and extends parallel thereto (FIGS. 1; Paragraphs [0009]-[0011]; Claims 2-7). 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,953,824 discloses permitting the razor head to move relative to the razor allowing a razor head to swivel and also to pivot about an axis normal to a central axis of the razor and normal to an imaginary axis defined by the points of attachment of the razor to a razor head (FIGS. 1-3; Column 2, Lines 50-64; Claims 1-16). 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,605,265 discloses razor head with a compartment extending from a head frontal opening to a head rearward opening, the drawer into its forward position, cause the blade cutting edge to be exposed through the bridge to a controlled extent at the proper cutting angle, resilient means are employed to bias the drawer into its retracted position upon release of the latch means to expedite blade interchange and cleansing (FIGS. 1-4; Column 2, Lines 44-68; Claims 10-12). 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,067,512 discloses razor comprising a pair of blade clamping members with novel cutting edge guard which means movable relatively thereto from normal safety position; to two successive operating positions (FIGS. 1-4; Column 2, Lines 16-55; Claims 1-5). 
       SUMMARY 
       [0015]    A shaving razor apparatus of the present disclosure provides: 
         [0016]    (a) a shaving tool having 
         [0017]    (i) a handle; and 
         [0018]    (ii) a head including a blade receiving and holding mechanism for receiving and holding a single edge razor blade suitable for cutting hair follicles; 
         [0019]    (b) a single edge blade having a single sharpened edge and a more rounded non-sharpened edge wherein the sharpened edge is suitable for cutting hair follicles and wherein the blade also has a slot formed therein and configured to be received and held by the head of the shaving tool; 
         [0020]    (c) means for pivotally mounting the head on one end of the handle; 
         [0021]    (d) wherein the head includes a slot on back of the head for receiving the sharpened edge of the single edge blade, an opening in the front of the head for receiving the sharpened edge of the single edge blade, a plurality of ramp guides for directing the received single edge blade toward the front opening in the head until the single edge blade snaps into the home position of blade retainers that engage complimentary structures on the blade that positions the sharpened edge of the single edge razor through the opening in the front of the head to permit the user to fine tune the position of the edge of the razor; 
         [0022]    (e) wherein the single edge razor blade is made of a solid material resistant to damage from hair follicles, rust, or corrosion; and 
         [0023]    (f) wherein the handle has a non-circular cross-section and is ergonomically designed to evenly balance the weight of the handle while permitting the user to firmly grip the handle during use. 
         [0024]    Additional specific embodiments provide a blade adjustment system for user customization of the degree of aggressiveness of the extension of the blade from the razor head. 
         [0025]    The described invention depicts a high-quality single edge razor tool that provides the user with a very durable safety razor that gives the user many very close shaves with a single blade before it is necessary to replace the blade. The known prior art does not disclose the elements and advantage of the invention summarized above. 
       NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE 
       [0026]    Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular system components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different companies may refer to a component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. 
         [0027]    In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . .” Also, the term “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection or through an indirect connection via other devices and connections. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of an assembled razor apparatus of the present disclosure. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is an isometric exploded view of the razor apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is an isometric front top view of the head of the shaving apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  is an isometric front view of the shaving apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is an isometric side view of the shaving apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  is a rear view illustration of a detail of a head bottom of the present disclosure. 
           [0035]      FIG. 7A  is a front view illustration of a handle of a shaving apparatus of the present disclosure. 
           [0036]      FIG. 7B  is a top view of the handle of  FIG. 7A . 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is a side view illustration of the handle of  FIG. 7A . 
           [0038]      FIG. 9A  is a diagrammatic illustration of a top isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a head top of the present razor apparatus. 
           [0039]      FIG. 9B  is a diagrammatic illustration of a front isometric view of the head top of  FIG. 9A . 
           [0040]      FIG. 9C  is a diagrammatic illustration of a side isometric view of the head top of  FIG. 9A . 
           [0041]      FIGS. 10A  is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a head bottom of the present razor apparatus. 
           [0042]      10 B is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the head bottom of the razor apparatus of  FIG. 10A . 
           [0043]      FIG. 11  is a diagrammatic isometric illustration side view of a detail of the head bottom of  FIG. 10A . 
           [0044]      FIG. 12  is a diagrammatic isometric rear view illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a shaving tool of the present disclosure. 
           [0045]      FIG. 13  is a side view diagrammatic illustration of a razor apparatus of the present disclosure. 
           [0046]      FIG. 14  is a side view diagrammatic illustration of a razor apparatus of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0047]      FIG. 15A  is a front view illustration of a razor stand of the present shaving system. 
           [0048]      FIG. 15B  is a top view of the razor stand of  FIG. 15A . 
           [0049]      FIG. 15C  is a side view of the razor stand of  FIG. 15A . 
           [0050]      FIG. 15D  is an isometric bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the shaving stand of  FIG. 15A . 
           [0051]      FIG. 16  is an isometric diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a brush stand of a shaving system of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0052]    The present invention contemplates a shaving system that includes not only the razor assembly described above and shown in  FIGS. 1-16  but also shaving accessories such as a stand for the razor assembly, a soap brush and a stand for the soap brush. 
         [0053]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of an assembled razor apparatus of the present disclosure. Apparatus  100  has two principal components: handle  100  and head  120  mounted on handle  110 . The front  126  of apparatus  100  is proximate and the back  128  is distal. A blade can be positioned in head  120  so as to rest in blade slot opening  130 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 2  is an isometric exploded view of the razor apparatus of  FIG. 1 . Head  120  is assembled from head bottom portion  122  and head top portion  124  is mounted onto to head bottom portion  122  with screws  123 . The underside of head bottom portion  122  extends to provide a pivot weight  210 . The head end  129  of handle  110  provides a channel or track  127  to receive pivot weight  210 . Pin  121  inserts through head end  129  at pin hole  805  ( FIG. 8 ) and pivot weight  210  to serve as an axle about which head  120  pivots or rocks. 
         [0055]    A shaving system of the present disclosure provides one or more blades  900  ( FIG. 6 ). A blade is positioned between head bottom portion  122  and head top portion  124  by sliding single-edge blade  900  through blade slot  910  ( FIG. 12 ) such that the dull end of blade  900  is secured by blade retainers  610 A/ 610 B and the sharp edge of blade  900  rests on supports  220 A/ 220 B. 
         [0056]      FIG. 3  is an isometric front top view of the head of the shaving apparatus of  FIG. 1 . Head  120  provides blade slot opening  130 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 4  is an isometric front view of the shaving apparatus of  FIG. 1 . Head  120  with blade slot opening  130  is mounted to the head end  129  of handle  110 . Pivot weight  210  is disposed in channel  127 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 5  is an isometric side view of the shaving apparatus of  FIG. 1 . Head  120  is mounted to head end  129  of handle  120  with pin  121 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 6  is a rear view illustration of a detail of a head bottom of the present disclosure. Blade  900  rests on the top surface of head bottom  122 , retained by dual blade retainers, blade retainer  610 A located on a first side of head bottom  122  and blade retainer  610 B on a second side of head bottom  122 . Tight tolerances for blade insertion into the razor head create a slight tension bias in the blade so that the blade snaps into position within the razor head. 
         [0060]      FIG. 7A  is a front view illustration of a handle of a shaving apparatus of the present disclosure. Pivot weight channel  127  at head end  129  provides a pivot stop  710 , such as, for example, a lip or surface curvature discontinuity that engages a pivot stop structure of head  120  pivot weight  210 . Beveled edge surface  720  provides ergonomic manual grippability. 
         [0061]      FIG. 7B  is a top view of the handle of  FIG. 7A . Pivot stop  710  is formed in pivot weight channel  127 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 8  is a side view illustration of the handle of  FIG. 7A . Head end  129  is in partial cross-section and depicts a portion of pivot weight  210  disposed in channel  127  near pin hole  805  which houses pin  121 . The shape of handle  110  is an elongated torus formed around the void of handle slot  810 . Edge  720  provides a sharp bevel around slot  810  for ergonomic manual grip while preserving a smooth, polished surface to handle  110  as a whole. 
         [0063]      FIG. 9A  is a diagrammatic illustration of a top isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a head top of the present razor apparatus. Head top  124  is a toroidal shape formed by front portion  126 B, rear portion  128 B, and left and right side portion  310 A/ 310 B, respectively, said portions surrounding head opening  320 . Screw holes  330 / 332  receive screws  123  to mount head top  124  to head bottom  122 . Rear portion  128 B is disposed slightly below front portion  126 B to provide a mounting shelf  350  for attaching head top  124  to head bottom  122 . The offset of rear portion  128 B below front portion  126 B also form a blade receiving slot  340  into which a blade of a shaving system of the present disclosure is inserted. 
         [0064]      FIG. 9B  is a diagrammatic illustration of a front isometric view of the head top of  FIG. 9A . Front portion  126 B spans between side portions  310 A/ 310 B. Mounting shelf  350  is slightly below front portion  126 B to form blade receiving slot  340   
         [0065]      FIG. 9C  is a diagrammatic illustration of a side isometric view of the head top of  FIG. 9A . Mounting shelf  350  extends toward front portion  126 B from rear portion  128 B to provide a surface for screw holes  330 / 332 . 
         [0066]      FIGS. 10A-10B  show a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a head bottom of the present razor apparatus, and a front view of the same, respectively. Head bottom  122  is a toroidal shape formed by front portion  126 A, rear portion  128 B, and left and right side portion  410 A/ 410 B, respectively, said portions surrounding head opening  420 . Looking down through opening  420 , pivot weight  210  is partially visible. Head bottom rear portion  128 A extends between side portions  410 A and  410 B, respectively, to provide a mounting surface  360  for attachment to head upper member  124  with screw holes  430 / 432 . Blade supports  220 A/ 220 B extend up from the top surface of front portion  126 A. Blade stops  440 A/ 440 B disposed to either side of blade supports  220 A/ 220 B help secure a blade in shaving position. Additional blade resting surfaces  450 A/ 450 B are positioned along the interior side of side portions  410 A/ 410 B, respectively. Pivot weight  210  is centered under front portion  126 A. 
         [0067]    Blade retainers  610 A/ 610 B extend upward from the top lateral surface of rear portion  128 A. Front portion  126 A provides a slight amount of flex for a degree of forgiveness in relation to the force applied to the razor head during shaving so that the register of the blade/skin contact is enhanced while shaving. 
         [0068]      FIG. 11  is a diagrammatic isometric illustration side view of a detail of head bottom  120 . Pivot weight  210  depends from the middle of head bottom front portion  126 A. Pivot stop  720  engages with surface  710  of channel  127  in handle  110  to inhibit over-pivoting of head  120 . Pivot weight  210  is toroidal in shape, having void  730  formed by a hole through pivot weight  210 . A spring disposed in head channel  127  engages pivot weight  210  and channel surface  710  to provide an amount of control of the pivot motion by a user. 
         [0069]      FIG. 12  is a diagrammatic isometric rear view illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a shaving tool of the present disclosure. Blade slot  130  is provided for insertion of a blade to engage with blade retainer  610  for shaving. 
         [0070]      FIG. 13  is a side view diagrammatic illustration of a razor apparatus of the present disclosure. Razor head  120  pivots as a user presses the reference surface surrounding the blades, principally front surfaces  126 A and  126 B, against skin  500 . The pivoting maintains the proper register or shaving angle of head  120  even when the user is changing the position of handle  110 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 14  is a side view diagrammatic illustration of a razor apparatus of  FIG. 13 . Pivoting is enacted by applying a normal force to the top  124  of head  120  (the reference surface) which is oriented tangentially to the perimeter of the curved track of channel  127 . 
         [0072]    A shaving system of the present invention provides one or more blades, a razor stand, a soap brush and a brush stand in addition to the razor apparatus described above. 
         [0073]      FIGS. 15A-15D  illustrate diagrammatically a razor stand of a shaving system of the present invention.  FIG. 15A  is a front view illustration of a razor stand  250  of the present shaving system. Base  252  supports holder  255 . Slot  810  of handle  110  fits over holder  255  so that razor  100  rests elevated off of a surface such as a bathroom counter top or shower shelf.  FIG. 15B  is a top view of the razor stand of  FIG. 15A . The shape of the stand is substantially ovoid.  FIG. 15C  is a side view of the razor stand of  FIG. 15A . The bottom of base  252  is wider than holder  255  to provide stability.  FIG. 15D  is an isometric bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the shaving stand of  FIG. 15A . The bottom of base  252  is rimmed with a gripping pad made of rubber of other suitable non-skid material to enhance the stability of base  250 . Other alternative exemplary embodiments provide a weighted base  252  of additional enhancement of stability. 
         [0074]      FIG. 16  is an isometric diagrammatic illustration of a brush stand of the present disclosure. Another component of a shaving system of the present disclosure is a brush stand. Stand  270  is a unitary piece of material bent in the front and the back to form a stand to support a brush  275 . Front panel  276  is bent vertically from the base at an acute angle from base panel  272 . Back panel  274  is bent vertically from the base at a slightly less acute angle from base  272  than is front panel  276 . Brush  275  has bristles  273  and handle  277 . Back panel  274  is taller than front panel  276 . In operation, the bristle end  278  of the handle  277  of brush  275  rests on the top of front panel  276 . The distal portion  279  of handle  275  rests on the top of back panel  274 . The length of the handle  278  of brush  275  and the angle of back panel  274  cooperate such that brush  275  is not knocked off of stand  270  when stand  270  is place near a wall or splash guard. 
         [0075]    The pivot mechanism of a razor apparatus of the present disclosure, in combination with the flex of the head portion yields a registration surface whereby a user tactiley feels when the surface is flat against his or her skin and when the registration surface is not flat on the skin. 
         [0076]    Blade latching allow for quick and easy blade changes. 
         [0077]    Blade corner guards such as blade stops  440   a / 440 B allow for very safe shaving in the area under the nose without risk of cutting oneself. 
         [0078]    Ergonomic handle grip design uses the sharp beveled edges of the handle cut-out opening to provide high friction grip for effective use in wet and soapy conditions. 
         [0079]    Blade exposure is adjustable with the use of blades with cut-out locations that engage blade retainers  610 A/ 610 B at slightly different locations on the sides of the blade, for example, so that the blade extends more less forward in accordance with user preferences. Additional blade exposure adjustment mechanisms, such as a rack and pinion assembly that engages the blade, are contemplated in alternative embodiments. 
         [0080]    Adjustable blades with our current razor where we offer 2-3 blades with slightly different cutout locations in the blades such that the blades would locate differently in the razor head thus providing either a more aggressive or less aggressive cutting scenario, depending on which blade was chosen. 
         [0081]    Many modifications and other embodiments of the razor apparatus and shaving system described herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.