Improvements in Razors.
Year: 1899

page_text: Improvements in Razors.
I, JOHN FRANCIS O'ROURKE, of No. 53 West 85th Street, in the Borough of
Manhattan, in the City and State of New York, United States of America,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what. manner
the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
―
The object of this invention is to produce an automatic razor in which the
necessary cutting motion of the blade shall be produced by a suitable motor,
the operator being required only to move the razor over the face for operation on
unshaved parts. When the edge of the razor is properly guarded, the device
thus becomes an automatic safety-razor, capable of use under the most difficult
conditions with absolute safety and with the greatest celerity in operation.
The invention is obviously capable of embodiment in various mechanical
forms and arrangements and with motors of different kinds. One convenient
and practical embodiment of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying
drawings and described in detail hereinafter, for the purpose of explaining the
invention and enabling its nature and the application thereof to be clearly
understood.
In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a razor which embodies the in-
vention, with the case or shell in section, a source of electric energy being
indicated conventionally. Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation, with the case or
shell in section. Fig. 3 is a rear end view of the parts shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
also with the case or shell in section. Figs. 4 and 5 are detailed views illustrat-
ing the means for supporting and guarding the razor-blade: and Fig. 6 is a
section on the plane indicated by the dotted line 6 6 of Fig. 4, illustrating the
relation of the upper and lower guards to the edge of the blade.
It will be understood that the razor-blade A herein referred to has a continu-
ous cutting edge like that of an ordinary razor, whether the same be straight or
slightly curved, and is not a serrated or saw blade to co-operate with a serrated
or toothed guard with a shearing action, the action of the blade in this construc-
tion being a true razor action-that is to say, the blade cuts on contact by the

page_text: combined forward and transverse motions like the ordinary razor. In this device
the razor-blade A has a rapidly-reciprocating motion in the direction of its
length, and it will be obvious that the different kinds of motors and different
arrangements of transmitting and supporting devices may be employed for the
purpose. The arrangement shown in the accompanying drawings, however, is
both practical and convenient. As there represented, there are supported upon
the frame B of the device two electromagnets C and C, to which current is
supplied from any suitable source, as indicated at D. Connection is made from
the battery D through an ordinary flexible connector to suitable binding-posts E
and E, from which connection is made with the electromagnets and a suitable
vibrator in usual manner. The respective contacts for the electromagnets are
indicated at f and f¹ and the vibrating arm at F. The armatures c and c¹ of the
two electromagnets are carried by a cross-arm c², which is suitably pivoted upon
the frame of the device. An arm is extended rearwardly from the arm c²
and engages the vibrator-arm F, so that the circuit is automatically made and
broken for each magnet in the usual manner, and the arm is caused to vibrate
rapidly. An arm is extended forward from the arm and is connected to the
razor-blade A in such a manner as to produce the required reciprocations thereof,
as will be presently described.
The frame of the device is extended forward, as at B1, to support and also to
guard the razor-blade A, which is secured to a slide A¹, mounted in suitable
ways in the extension or guard B. A pin a on the slide A' engages the slotted
end of the arm e above referred to and completes the connection between the
blade and the vibrating mechanism.
The extension B₁ of the frame constitutes the under guard for the blade, such
under guard standing slightly below the plane of the razor edge and somewhat
in the rear thereof, in order to afford a bearing and relieve the blade from the
friction against the face and also prevent the cutting of the face.
An upper
guard B may also be secured to a convenient support, as to the extension or
Tower guard B', the edge of such upper guard projecting slightly beyond the edge
of the blade and a very little beyond the plane of the blade, thereby making
it impossible under any circumstances to cut the face. It will be observed that
the edge of the lower guard and the edge of the upper guard, if one be used, are
continuous and conform to the edge of the razor-blade, not being toothed or
serrated.
A suitable shell or casing G incloses and protects the armatures, magnets and
connections, and at a convenient point a push-button H or other similar device
is located, its contact being included in the main circuit, so that the movement
of the blade can be started and stopped at will.
It will be obvious that the desired reciprocations of the razor-blade can be
effected by other motors and by other mechanical devices than those shown and
described herein. Therefore it is to be clearly understood that, except as may
be indicated in the claims hereinafter, the invention is not to be restricted to
the precise construction and arrangement shown.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The combination with a razor-blade having a continuous edge, of a frame
to support the same with freedom for longitudinal reciprocation and means to
reciprocate said blade.
2. The combination with a razor-blade having a continuous edge, of a frame
to support the same with freedom for longitudinal reciprocation, a guard having
a continuous edge and conforming to the edge of the blade, and means to recipro-
cate said blade.
3. The combination with a razor-blade having a continuous edge, of a frame

page_text: to support the same with freedom for longitudinal reciprocation, an under guard
having a continuous edge conforming to the edge of the blade, an upper guard,
and means to reciprocate said blade.
4. The combination with a razor-blade having a continuous edge, of a frame
to support the same with freedom for longitudinal reciprocation, and electric
actuating apparatus mounted on said frame and connected to said blade.
5. The combination with a razor-blade, of a frame to support the same with
freedom for longitudinal reciprocation, a pair of electromagnets, a pivoted arm
carrying the armatures of said magnets, a connection between said blade and
said arm, and a vibrator to make and break the circuit through said magnets
alternately.
Dated this 10th day of April 1899.