Patent Description:
A conventional razor assembly, commonly known as a wet razor, includes a razor cartridge and a razor handle. The razor cartridge generally includes one or more blades disposed between a rear side of a guard bar and a front side of a cap. The razor cartridge is rotatably installed on the razor handle so that it can pivot between a neutral position and a pivotal position with respect to the razor handle during use of the razor assembly. This pivoting motion is basically based on a rotation axis parallel to a direction in which the razor blades are disposed in the razor cartridge.

The pivoting motion of the razor cartridge between the neutral position and the pivotal position with respect to the razor handle plays an important role because it allows the razor cartridge and related blades to keep contacting the cutting surface.

During normal shaving, the razor cartridge may pivot with respect to the razor handle in the direction of the pivotal position as it is moved away from the cutting surface by a certain force. The force may include a force caused by the cutting surface passing through the guard bar and a force required when the blades cut hair. In order to compensate for the characteristics of the cartridge that pivots away from the cutting surface, the razor usually uses a biasing member such as a spring plunger. The biasing member acts to keep the razor cartridge in contact with the cutting surface by applying force to the razor cartridge in the direction of the neutral position.

A multi-axis rotary razor may enable razor blades to smoothly contact the profile of various users' skin by providing not only the function of pivoting about a first axis but also the function of pivoting about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.

However, the razor structure may become complicated in order to provide various movements of such a multi-axis rotary razor, or a proper pivoting motion may not be provided due to a structural weakness. Therefore, there is a need to develop a novel razor assembly capable of stably providing a multi-axis pivoting motion with a simpler structure.

A razor assembly of the present invention comprises the features of claim <NUM>.

Aspects of the present disclosure provide a razor assembly which reliably and stably provides a pivoting motion about a second axis perpendicular to a first axis that is parallel to the alignment direction of one or more razor blades.

Aspects of the present disclosure also provide a razor assembly which provides a pivoting motion about the second axis with a simpler structure and is not deformed even when used for a long time.

Aspects of the present disclosure also provide a pivoting motion about the second axis through extension or torsion of an elastic member itself.

However, aspects of the present disclosure are not restricted to the one set forth herein. The above and other aspects of the present disclosure will become more apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains by referencing the detailed description of the present disclosure given below.

Advantages and features of the present disclosure and methods of accomplishing the same may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the present disclosure will only be defined by the appended claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated elements, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements.

<FIG> is a plan view of a razor assembly <NUM> according to a first embodiment as viewed from the front of a razor handle <NUM> (where the front of a blade housing <NUM> is visible), <FIG> is a plan view of the razor assembly <NUM> as viewed from the back, and <FIG> is a right side view of the razor assembly <NUM> as viewed from a right side.

The razor assembly <NUM> according to the first embodiment may include a razor cartridge including a razor blade <NUM> and the blade housing <NUM>, a connector <NUM>, and the razor handle <NUM>. The razor blade <NUM> may have a cutting edge at a first end, and a second end of the razor blade <NUM> may be seated in a seating portion provided in the blade housing <NUM>. Here, one razor blade <NUM> or two or more razor blades <NUM> may be provided, and a direction in which the razor blade (or blades) <NUM> is accommodated in the blade housing <NUM> is a transverse direction d1 perpendicular to a shaving direction.

A pair of clips 7a and 7b for fixing both sides of the first end of the razor blade <NUM> to the blade housing <NUM> may be provided in order to prevent the razor blade <NUM> from being separated from the blade housing <NUM>. The pair of clips 7a and 7b cover both sides of the razor blade <NUM> and pass through one or more through holes formed near both ends of the blade housing <NUM> so as to be bent on the back <NUM> of the blade housing <NUM>.

In addition, a guard bar <NUM> may be provided parallel to the razor blade <NUM> in front of a position where the razor blade <NUM> is accommodated in the blade housing <NUM>, and a lubrication band <NUM> may be provided parallel to the razor blade <NUM> behind the above position. The guard bar <NUM> makes a user's hair erect in a direction perpendicular to the shaving direction in order to facilitate cutting of the razor blade <NUM>, and the lubrication band <NUM> smoothens the rough skin after the cutting.

The connector <NUM> is detachably coupled to the blade housing <NUM> at the back <NUM> of the blade housing <NUM>. Here, the blade housing <NUM> may pivot about a first axis ax1 parallel to the transverse direction d1, in which the razor blade <NUM> is accommodated, with respect to an end of the connector <NUM>. Alternatively, the blade housing <NUM> may be fixed to a connection portion <NUM> of the connector <NUM>, and the connection portion <NUM> may pivot about the first axis ax1 with respect to a body of the connector <NUM>.

The connector <NUM> is also coupled to the razor handle <NUM> such that it can pivot about a second axis ax2 perpendicular to the transverse direction d1. The rotation axis, that is, the second axis ax2 is formed in a direction perpendicular to both the transverse direction d1 and a longitudinal direction d2 of the razor handle <NUM>. This coupling is accomplished by a fastener <NUM> that penetrates both the connector <NUM> and the razor handle <NUM> at the position of the second axis ax2. The fastener <NUM> may be embodied as a pin. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this case, and the fastener <NUM> may also be a shaft-type structure that enables pivoting of the connector <NUM> and the razor handle <NUM>.

<FIG> are exploded perspective views of the razor assembly <NUM> of <FIG> as viewed from different directions, and <FIG> is a longitudinal sectional view of the connector <NUM> and the razor handle <NUM> taken along the longitudinal direction in the exploded perspective view of the razor assembly <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the connector <NUM> and the razor handle <NUM> are basically coupled by the fastener <NUM> such that they can pivot relative to each other. The razor handle <NUM> includes a connector accommodating groove <NUM> covering at least a part of each of front and rear surfaces of the connector <NUM>. After the body of the connector <NUM> is placed in the connector accommodating groove <NUM> of the razor handle <NUM>, the fastener <NUM> is inserted into a through hole <NUM> of the connector <NUM> and through holes 34a and 34b of the razor handle <NUM> along the second axis ax2.

In addition, both ends <NUM> and <NUM> of an elastic member <NUM> are respectively engaged with the connector <NUM> and the razor handle <NUM> so as to provide a restoring force when the connector <NUM> pivots about the second axis ax2 with respect to the razor handle <NUM>. Thus, when the connector <NUM> pivots about the second axis ax2 with respect to the razor handle <NUM>, the elastic member <NUM> is linearly deformed to elongate in a lengthwise direction, thereby providing the restoring force.

An elastic member accommodating groove <NUM> is formed at an opposite end of the connector <NUM> from the connection portion <NUM>, and a first fixing portion <NUM> for engaging the end <NUM> of the elastic member <NUM> is provided in the elastic member accommodating groove <NUM>. Likewise, an elastic member accommodating groove <NUM> is formed on an inner side of the connector accommodating groove <NUM> of the razor handle <NUM>, and a second fixing portion <NUM> for engaging the other end <NUM> of the elastic member <NUM> is provided in the elastic member accommodating groove <NUM>. For example, the first and second fixing portions <NUM> and <NUM> are cylindrical, and the both ends <NUM> and <NUM> of the elastic member <NUM> which are engaged with the first and second fixing portions <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, are circular ring-shaped. Therefore, when the connector <NUM> pivots with respect to the razor handle <NUM>, interference does not occur between the both ends <NUM> and <NUM> of the elastic member <NUM> and the first and second fixing portions <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plan view showing the razor assembly <NUM> when the connector <NUM> pivots with respect to the razor handle <NUM> (pivotal position). <FIG> is a longitudinal sectional view of a handle assembly <NUM> obtained by removing the blade housing <NUM> from <FIG> and taken along the longitudinal direction d2 of the razor handle <NUM>.

In the pivotal position, the elastic member <NUM> is extended to provide a restoring force that causes the connector <NUM> to return to a neutral position (in which the connector <NUM> and the razor handle <NUM> are aligned). For stable operation, the elastic member <NUM> may be in a pre-tension state, that is, may be extended by an initial value even when the connector <NUM> is in the neutral position.

The razor handle <NUM> is provided with a stopper <NUM> which contacts a side of the connector <NUM> when the connector <NUM> pivots more than a predetermined angle in order to prevent deviation of the connector <NUM> from a limited pivot range from the second (rotation) axis ax2 in the pivotal position. In <FIG> and <FIG>, the stopper <NUM> is shown as a lower surface of the connector accommodating groove <NUM> that a corner of the connector <NUM> contacts in the pivotal position. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this case, and the stopper <NUM> may be any element that allows the connector <NUM> to pivot only within a predetermined range.

In addition, during the pivoting motion of the connector <NUM>, there should be no contact or interference between the elastic member accommodating groove <NUM> and the elastic member <NUM>. Therefore, the elastic member accommodating groove <NUM> may be formed in a substantially semicircular shape so as to have a wide opening toward the razor handle <NUM> when viewed from the front of the razor handle <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the second axis ax2, the first fixing portion <NUM>, and the second fixing portion <NUM> in the neutral position and the pivotal position. In the neutral position, the second (rotation) axis ax2, the first fixing portion <NUM> and the second fixing portion <NUM> are arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction d2 of the razor handle <NUM>, and the second axis ax2 is located closer to the blade housing <NUM> than the first and second fixing portions <NUM> and <NUM>. Here, the length of the elastic member <NUM> before being deformed is L<NUM>.

In the pivotal position, the first fixing portion <NUM> moves to a position indicated by reference character <NUM>' while maintaining a distance R from the second axis ax2. Accordingly, the elastic member <NUM> is extended from L<NUM> to L<NUM>. The extended displacement (L<NUM>-L<NUM>) of the elastic member <NUM> and an elastic modulus k of the elastic member <NUM> are factors that determine the restoring force of the connector <NUM>. Ultimately, a design restoring force may be determined by assuming an angle α at which the first fixing portion <NUM> pivots about the second axis ax2 in the pivotal position.

Equations (<NUM>) and (<NUM>) below are satisfied by the geometric relationship shown in <FIG>. <MAT> <MAT>.

Here, Equation (<NUM>) may be rearranged into Equation (<NUM>) for obtaining L<NUM>.

If Equation (<NUM>) is applied to Equation (<NUM>), L<NUM> is calculated as a function ofα, R and L<NUM>. Here, a design restoring force F is given by Equation (<NUM>), where k is the elastic modulus of the elastic member <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a modified embodiment using an O-ring <NUM> as an elastic member, instead of the coil spring <NUM>. Specifically, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of a razor assembly <NUM> according to a modified embodiment, and <FIG> is a longitudinal sectional view of a razor handle assembly <NUM> obtained by removing a blade housing <NUM> from the razor assembly <NUM>.

The blade housing <NUM>, a connector <NUM>, and a razor handle <NUM> are the same as those described above, except that the O-ring <NUM> is used instead of the coil spring <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the O-ring <NUM> is also extended in the lengthwise direction in the pivotal position so as to provide a restoring force that causes the connector <NUM> to return to the neutral position. The O-ring <NUM> may have a somewhat smaller elastic restoring force than the coil spring <NUM>, but has a simple structure and can provide a smoother pivoting motion than the coil spring <NUM> due to its damping effect. Until now, the razor assemblies <NUM> and <NUM> according to the first embodiment have been described. According to the first embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the connector <NUM> pivots in the direction (ax2) perpendicular to both the transverse direction d1 in which the razor blade <NUM> is accommodated in the blade housing <NUM> and the longitudinal direction d2 of the razor handle <NUM>. Hereinafter, razor assemblies <NUM> and <NUM> according to a second embodiment will be described. According to the second embodiment, a connector pivots in a direction (ax3) parallel to the longitudinal direction d2 of the razor handle <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plan view of a razor assembly <NUM> according to a second embodiment as viewed from the front of a razor handle <NUM> (where the front of a blade housing <NUM> is visible), <FIG> is a plan view of the razor assembly <NUM> as viewed from the back of the razor handle <NUM>, and <FIG> is a longitudinal sectional view of a handle assembly <NUM> taken along line A-A' of <FIG> and obtained by removing the blade housing <NUM>.

A connector <NUM> is detachably coupled to the blade housing <NUM> at the back <NUM> of the blade housing <NUM>. Here, the blade housing <NUM> may pivot about a first axis ax1 parallel to a transverse direction d1, in which a razor blade <NUM> is accommodated, with respect to the connector <NUM>. Alternatively, the blade housing <NUM> may be fixed to a connection portion <NUM> of the connector <NUM>, and the connection portion <NUM> may pivot about the first axis ax1 with respect to a body of the connector <NUM>.

The connector <NUM> may pivot about a rotation axis, that is, a third axis ax3 perpendicular to the transverse direction d1 and parallel to a longitudinal direction d2 of the razor handle <NUM>. To this end, as shown in <FIG>, both ends <NUM> and <NUM> of an elastic member <NUM> are engaged with a first fixing portion <NUM> of the connector <NUM> and a second fixing portion <NUM> of the razor handle <NUM>, respectively. Therefore, a restoring force is provided when the connector <NUM> pivots about the third axis ax3 with respect to the razor handle <NUM> (pivotal position). This restoring force is provided by the torsion of the elastic member <NUM> about an axis parallel to a lengthwise direction, that is, the third axis ax3 in the pivotal position.

The pivoting of the connector <NUM> about the third axis ax3 may be guided by the movement of guide protrusions 225a and 225b formed on the connector <NUM> in guide slots 234a and 234b (see <FIG>) formed in the razor handle <NUM>.

<FIG> are exploded perspective views of the razor assembly <NUM> of <FIG> as viewed from different directions, and <FIG> is a longitudinal sectional view of the razor assembly <NUM> taken along the longitudinal direction.

Referring to <FIG>, the coupling of the connector <NUM> and the razor handle <NUM> is basically accomplished as the guide protrusions <NUM> (225a and 225b) formed on an outer circumferential surface of an extension shaft <NUM> of the connector <NUM> are rotatably coupled to the guide slots <NUM> (234a and 234b) formed in a circumferential direction in an inner circumferential surface of an insertion groove <NUM> of the razor handle <NUM>. However, in order to bring about the same effect in an opposite structure, the extension shaft <NUM> can be formed on the razor handle <NUM>, and the insertion groove <NUM> can be formed in the connector <NUM>.

The connector <NUM> includes a hollow portion <NUM> extending inward from the extension shaft <NUM> along the direction of the third axis ax3. A first fixing portion <NUM> is provided near an inner end of the hollow portion <NUM>, and the end <NUM> of the elastic member <NUM> is engaged with the first fixing portion <NUM>. Likewise, the razor handle <NUM> includes the insertion groove <NUM> extending inward along the direction of the third axis ax3. In addition, a second fixing portion <NUM> is provided in a hollow portion <NUM> extending inward from the insertion groove <NUM>, and the other end <NUM> of the elastic member <NUM> is engaged with the second fixing portion <NUM>.

For example, the first and second fixed ends <NUM> and <NUM> are cylindrical, and the both ends <NUM> and <NUM> of the elastic member <NUM> which are engaged with the first and second fixing portions <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, are circular ring-shaped. Therefore, when the connector <NUM> pivots with respect to the razor handle <NUM>, interference does not occur between the both ends <NUM> and <NUM> of the elastic member <NUM> and the first and second fixing portions <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> is a longitudinal sectional view of the handle assembly <NUM> taken along line B-B' of <FIG>, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the handle assembly <NUM> taken along line C-C' of <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, when the connector <NUM> pivots more than a predetermined angle about the third axis ax3 (in the pivotal position), the guide protrusions 225a and 225b get caught on both sidewalls 236a, 236b, 236c and 236d of the guide slots 234a and 234b, thereby limiting the pivot range of the connector <NUM>. In the pivotal position, the elastic member <NUM> is torsionally deformed about the third axis ax3, and the torsional deformation provides a restoring force that causes the elastic member <NUM> to return to the original neutral position. In addition, for stable operation, the elastic member <NUM> may be in a pre-tension state even when the connector <NUM> is in the neutral position.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the razor assembly <NUM> when the connector <NUM> is in the pivotal position, and <FIG> is a plan view of the handle assembly <NUM> obtained by removing the blade housing <NUM> from the razor assembly <NUM> and viewed from the side of the connection portion <NUM> of the connector <NUM>. In this pivotal position, a pair of guide protrusions 225a and 225b of <FIG> respectively get caught on the sidewalls 236a and 236d of the guide slots 234a and 234b, thereby limiting a pivot range θ (see <FIG>). Likewise, in the pivotal position in the opposite direction, the guide protrusions 225a and 225b respectively get caught on the sidewalls 236b and 236c of the guide slots 234a and 234b, thereby limiting the pivot range θ on the opposite side.

<FIG> show a modified embodiment using an O-ring <NUM> as an elastic member, instead of the coil spring <NUM>. Specifically, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of a razor assembly <NUM> according to a modified embodiment, and <FIG> is a longitudinal sectional view of the razor assembly <NUM>.

A blade housing <NUM>, a connector <NUM>, and a razor handle <NUM> are the same as those described above, except that the O-ring <NUM> is used instead of the coil spring <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the O-ring <NUM> is also twisted in the pivotal position so as to provide a restoring force that causes the connector <NUM> to return to the neutral position. The O-ring <NUM> may have a somewhat smaller elastic restoring force than the coil spring <NUM>, but has a simple structure and can provide a smoother pivoting motion than the coil spring <NUM> due to its damping effect.

A razor assembly according to the present disclosure can reliably and stably provide a pivoting motion about a second axis perpendicular to a first axis that is parallel to the alignment direction of one or more razor blades.

In addition, the razor assembly according to the present disclosure realizes a pivoting motion about the second axis through extension or torsion of an elastic member itself. Thus, the razor assembly is structurally simple and is less likely to be deformed even when used for a long time.

In addition, the razor assembly according to the present disclosure can improve shaving performance because the razor blades are brought into close contact with the profile of a user's skin during shaving.

However, the effects of the embodiments are not restricted to the one set forth herein. The above and other effects of the embodiments will become more apparent to one of daily skill in the art to which the embodiments pertain by referencing the claims.

Claim 1:
A razor assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
one or more razor blades (<NUM>), each having a cutting edge;
a housing (<NUM>) which accommodates the razor blades (<NUM>) in a transverse direction (d1) perpendicular to a shaving direction;
a connector (<NUM>) which is detachably coupled to the housing (<NUM>) at a back side of the housing (<NUM>);
a razor handle (<NUM>) which is coupled to the connector (<NUM>) such that the connector (<NUM>) is capable of pivoting about a rotation axis (ax2) perpendicular to the transverse direction (d1); and
an elastic member (<NUM>, <NUM>) having a first end engaged with a first fixing portion (<NUM>) formed in the connector (<NUM>) and a second end engaged with a second fixing portion (<NUM>) formed in the razor handle (<NUM>),
wherein when the connector (<NUM>) pivots about the rotation axis (ax2) with respect to the razor handle (<NUM>), the elastic member (<NUM>, <NUM>) is deformed to provide a restoring force that causes the connector to return to a neutral position,
wherein the rotation axis (ax2) is formed in a direction perpendicular to both the transverse direction (d1) and a longitudinal direction (d2) of the razor handle (<NUM>), and the elastic member (<NUM>, <NUM>) is linearly deformed to elongate in a lengthwise direction when the connector (<NUM>) pivots about the rotation axis (ax2) with respect to the razor handle (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the elastic member (<NUM>, <NUM>) is an O-ring (<NUM>).