Patent Description:
A typical handheld shaving device includes a handle and replaceable shaving cartridges or heads which are configured to connect to the handle via a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism should allow for engagement and disengagement of the shaving cartridge to and from the handle.

Current coupling mechanisms usually require many components that move in a linear, horizontal, vertical or in-between, direction in order to achieve proper coupling through the involved components.

As numerous components are usually involved in such coupling mechanisms, space may therefore be required in the shaving devices for accommodating these components and allowing them to move in accordance with kinematics of the coupling mechanisms.

Also use of many components in such coupling mechanisms often leads to rather complex structures and kinematics for the coupling mechanisms. <CIT> discloses a razor handle assembly.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved coupling mechanism for connecting a shaving cartridge of a shaving device to a handle of a shaving device, in particular a simplified coupling mechanism for connecting a shaving cartridge of a shaving device to a handle of a shaving device.

According to the claimed invention, a coupling mechanism for connecting a replaceable shaving cartridge of a shaving device to a handle of the shaving device is defined in claim <NUM>.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the first connector includes a first connecting member and the second connector includes a second connecting member, the first connecting member and the second connecting member having respective engagement surfaces that come into contact with each other in the engaged position.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the second connecting member is configured to move towards the first connecting member and engage with the latter in the course of the motion of the second connector along a substantially arc-shaped path.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the first connecting member has a first hook portion that is oriented along a first direction and the second connecting member has a second hook portion that is oriented in a second direction that is opposite the first direction, the first and second directions being substantially perpendicular to an axial direction along which at least one connector of the first connector and the second connector is pushed against the other connector, the first and second directions lying in a plane that is parallel to a plane in which the substantially arc-shaped path of the second connector is lying.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the substantially arc-shaped second connector is adapted to move under a pressure applied along an axial direction that is tangential to the substantially arcuate shape of the second connector.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the second connector is guided in the course of its motion along a substantially arc-shaped path through an inner guiding channel of the handle.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the second connector includes a complementary locking member that is adapted to interlock with the locking member when the second connector is in the engaged position with the first connector.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the locking member is a spring-biased rotating member that is able to rotate about a pivot axis traversing that member when pushed by the second connector in the course of the motion of the second connector along a substantially arc-shaped path.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the coupling mechanism further comprises a spring member configured to axially spring bias the second connector during the motion of the second connector along a substantially arc-shaped path.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the coupling mechanism further comprises an actuation mechanism of the handle that is mechanically linked to the locking member and adapted to be actuated by a user so as to cause the locking member to release the second connector.

According to aspects of the disclosure, a shaving device may comprise the coupling mechanism according to any aspect described above.

Aspects of an embodiment will be described in reference to the drawings, where like numerals reflect like elements:.

An embodiment of the coupling mechanism according to aspects of the disclosure will now be described with reference to <FIG>, wherein like numerals represent like parts, and will generally be referred to by the reference numeral <NUM>. Although the coupling mechanism <NUM> is described with reference to specific examples, it should be understood that modifications and changes may be made to these examples without going beyond the general scope as defined by the claims.

As shown in <FIG>, the coupling mechanism <NUM> may be configured to couple or connect parts of a product, such as a handheld shaving device (hereafter, "the product") <NUM> having a head/replaceable shaving cartridge <NUM> and a handle <NUM>. The handle <NUM> may have an overall longitudinal shape and may be symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal plane of symmetry P1 of the handle. The plane P1 extends vertically when the handle is vertically oriented as appearing in particular on <FIG> and <FIG>. The coupling mechanism <NUM> may be included in part within replaceable shaving cartridge <NUM> and in part within handle <NUM>, e.g. within a housing or casing <NUM> of the handle <NUM>. Such housing <NUM> may be placed at one end of the handle <NUM>, which here may be called "front end". The housing <NUM> may be directly connected to the remaining portion of the handle <NUM> (not visible on the drawings). It is also contemplated that the housing <NUM> may be indirectly connected to the remaining portion of the handle <NUM>. Additionally, it is contemplated that the housing <NUM> may be integral to the remaining portion of the handle <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, housing <NUM> may comprise two cover portions that form the whole housing when assembled together: an upper cover portion 106A and a lower cover portion 106B that may each form a hollow portion so that, when joined together, the hollow portions accommodate between their respective concavities different components, including the part of coupling mechanism <NUM> mounted inside handle <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the coupling mechanism <NUM> includes a first connector <NUM> that is part of the replaceable shaving cartridge <NUM>, a second connector <NUM> that is part of the handle <NUM>, e.g. of housing <NUM>, and is adapted or configured to engage with the first connector <NUM> when in contact with the latter and when the first connector or the second connector is axially pushed against the other connector or when both first and second connectors are pushed against each other. In the present embodiment, the second connector <NUM> may be adapted or configured to engage with the first connector <NUM> when axially pushed by the latter along an axial direction D1 (see the arrow referred to as D1 on <FIG> and <FIG>) which represents the axial direction along which a user of the device <NUM> exerts an external pressure to push first connector <NUM> against second connector <NUM> so as to connect the replaceable shaving cartridge <NUM> to the handle <NUM>. This axial direction may be substantially aligned with the overall longitudinal shape of the handle and may lie in the longitudinal plane of symmetry P1 or in a plane parallel thereto. When axially pushed by the first connector <NUM> the second connector <NUM> may be caused to move along a substantially arc-shaped path, e.g. may be caused to rotate, as illustrated in <FIG> by the curved arrow F. As briefly mentioned above, the present disclosure may also envisage that a user of the device <NUM> pushes the second connector <NUM> against the first connector <NUM> to cause the second connector to move along a substantially arc-shaped path, e.g. to rotate. Here also the second connector <NUM> may be considered as being submitted to a pressure from the first connector <NUM> even the latter is in a fixed position based on the action and reaction principle. It may further be envisaged within the frame of the present disclosure that both first and second connectors be pushed or pressed against each other simultaneously to obtain engagement and locking.

The coupling mechanism <NUM> shown in <FIG> also includes a locking member <NUM> that is part of the handle <NUM>, e.g. of housing <NUM>, and is adapted or configured to allow locking of the second connector <NUM> when the latter is in an engaged position with the first connector <NUM>.

The coupling mechanism <NUM> may also include an actuation mechanism <NUM> that may be actuated by a user so as to unlock or release the second connector <NUM> from its engaged position with the first connector <NUM>. More particularly, the actuation mechanism <NUM> may be part of the handle <NUM>, e.g. of housing <NUM>, and mechanically linked to the locking member <NUM>. The actuation mechanism <NUM> may include:.

As more particularly shown in the embodiment of <FIG>, the actuating button <NUM> may include at its lower part that is inserted through aperture <NUM> two parallel spaced apart sliding members 82A, 82B or sliding legs each provided with a shoulder and that may respectively be able to slide along and against two corresponding parallel spaced apart upper guiding members <NUM>, only one of which being shown through aperture <NUM>. The guiding members, as member <NUM> in <FIG>, are each provided with an abutment 88A at their forward or front end so as to stop the axial sliding motion of the sliding members 82A, 82B and, therefore, of the actuating button <NUM>.

As more particularly shown in the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>, the actuator <NUM> may include a peripheral frame 86A extending substantially horizontally and surrounding an inner aperture 86B, a bridge member 86C that extends upwardly from the peripheral frame 86A above the aperture 86C and a downwardly-extending member 86D that extends from a front portion of the peripheral frame 86A. The bridge member 86C may be formed by a front portion 86C1 that extends upwardly from the front portion of the peripheral frame 86A and a rear portion 86C2 that extends upwardly from a rear opposite portion of the peripheral frame 86A. Both front portion 86C1 and rear portion 86C2 also extend toward each other above the aperture 86B so as to meet and substantially form a bridge. The rear portion 86C2 is narrower than front portion 86C1 so that two substantially vertical engagement surfaces are provided on a rear face of the front portion 86C1 on either part of the rear portion 86C2. The front lower portion (not represented in <FIG>) of the actuating button <NUM> may be located ahead of the two parallel spaced apart sliding members 82A, 82B of <FIG> and may connect them. The front lower portion of the actuating button <NUM> may be configured to engage with the rear portion 86C2 and the two substantially vertical engagement surfaces of the rear face of the front portion 86C1 so as to push axially the actuator <NUM> in the forward direction D2 when the actuating button <NUM> is slidably actuated by a user relative to the upper cover portion 106A along same direction. The rear portion of the peripheral frame 86A may extend substantially horizontally aft from rear portion 86C2, e.g. in a kind of a tray shape. The actuator <NUM> may be formed in a single piece, e.g. by molding.

The upper cover portion 106A may be provided on its outside upper surface with a rugged or texturized surface portion <NUM> so as to form a contact surface portion for a user's finger, e.g. a user's thumb. The outside upper surface of the button <NUM> may also be configured, e.g. through a succession of arc-shaped ribs, in order to prevent any sliding of a user's finger pressing thereon.

As more particularly shown in the embodiment of <FIG>, the locking member <NUM> may take the form of a rotating or pivoting member that is able to rotate or pivot about an axis A1 over a relatively small angular stroke. Put it another way, the locking member <NUM> may perform a rocking movement when urged to do so either by the second connector <NUM> in the course of the engagement and locking phase or by the actuator <NUM> in the course of the disengagement and unlocking phase. The locking member <NUM> may take the form of an inverted fork with a substantially horizontal crossbar 60A and two parallel substantially downwardly-extending legs 60B, 60C that extend from the two opposing ends of the crossbar respectively. The two legs 60B, 60C are each provided with a pin 60D, 60E oriented outwardly relative to the inner space between the legs. The two pins 60D, 60E are aligned along the axis of rotation or pivot A1 and will enable rotation or pivot of the locking member <NUM> as will be seen subsequently. The two legs 60B, 60C have respective ends 60B1, 60C1 that are inclined in a rearward direction, i.e. towards the rear part of the handle. These inclined ends 60B1, 60C1 will cooperate with inclined surfaces of the second connector <NUM> in register therewith so as to enable locking of the second connector <NUM> as will be seen subsequently.

The handle <NUM>, e.g. housing <NUM>, may also include a support structure <NUM> that is intended to be partially engaged and secured into the hollow portion of lower cover portion 106B through appropriate configured inner zones of the latter. The support structure <NUM> may serve as a support and a guide for the second connector <NUM>, in particular during its substantially arc-shaped, e.g. rotary, movement. The upper cover portion 106A is also internally configured so as to partially accommodate and secure the support structure <NUM> as well as the actuator <NUM> and locking member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the head/replaceable shaving cartridge <NUM> has a front part 102A that is oriented to the left of the drawing and intended to come into contact with a skin of a user and a rear part 102B that is oriented to the right and intended to couple with the facing handle <NUM> through coupling mechanism <NUM>. The rear part 102B may include the first connector <NUM>, also called adaptor, that may be attached thereto in a conventional manner. The first connector <NUM> may be coupled to the head <NUM> through a pair of arms that may cooperate respectively with camming surfaces provided in the head so as to allow pivoting motion of the head relative to the handle when the product <NUM> is in use as known in a conventional manner. The first connector <NUM> may include a hollow casing <NUM> that is open at one of its ends oriented rearwards relative to the front-rear orientation of the head <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>) and may also be open, at least in part, at its opposite front end. The open-ended casing <NUM> may be adapted to engage with the second connector <NUM> as will be explained below. The first connector <NUM> may include a connecting member <NUM>, called first connecting member, that may include a hook portion, called a first hook portion, that is oriented along a first direction D3 that may be here oriented downwardly, e.g. vertically (see <FIG>). The hook portion may be part of and located at the open rear end of the casing <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the first hook portion may include two hook portions 24A, 24B that are laterally spaced apart from each other with respect to a longitudinal plane of symmetry P2 of the head <NUM> that coincides with the longitudinal plane of symmetry P1 of the handle <NUM> when both head <NUM> and handle <NUM> are coupled to each other. The two hook portions 24A, 24B may be identical. They may extend downwardly from a rear edge of an upper wall 22A of the casing <NUM> (see <FIG>) and may be located on either side of a central recess <NUM> provided in the wall 22A and that extend forwardly from the wall rear edge.

A side view of the hook portion 24A is illustrated in <FIG> which represent the mechanical cooperation or engagement process between the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> with an enlarged view thereof in <FIG>. The following description of the hook portion 24A likewise applies to the hook portion 24B and will not be repeated. As shown in <FIG>, the first connector <NUM> is pushed axially along the axial direction D1 against the second connector <NUM> so that the hook portion 24A comes into contact with the second connector <NUM>.

As more particularly shown in the <FIG> embodiment, the hook portion 24A may include a first engagement surface 24A1 and a second engagement surface 24A2 that are intended to come into contact with corresponding engagement surfaces of the second connector <NUM> as will be described subsequently. In the described embodiment, the two engagement surfaces 24A1 and 24A2 do not engage at the same time with the corresponding engagement surfaces of the second connector <NUM> since the engagement process or phase of the coupling mechanism <NUM> is a progressive and continuous movement as will be further explained.

In the described embodiment, the first engagement surface 24A1 may be a substantially downwardly-extending, e.g. substantially vertical, wall that extends over a given height from the free rear edge of upper wall 22A of the casing <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the wall forming the first engagement surface 24A1 may be slightly slanted towards inside the casing <NUM>. The first engagement surface 24A1 may be an outside surface of the casing <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the upper wall 22A may be inclined with an ascending slope towards the aft of the casing <NUM>.

In the described embodiment, the second engagement surface 24A2 may be a slanting surface, located and oriented inside the casing <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the two engagement surfaces 24A1 and 24A2 may be connected by an intermediate surface 24A3, that is here arranged slantways. The two slanted surfaces 24A2 and 24A3 may substantially form a V and meet at a point referred to as M1 and that forms the tip of the V. Point M1 represents the lower portion of the hook portion 24A in the vertical arrangement of <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the casing <NUM> includes a lower wall 22B that is opposite the upper wall 22A and defines together with the latter the open rear end of the casing. This open end may have a reduced height below each of the hook portions 24A, 24B as shown in <FIG>. The reduced height between point M1 and the inner upper surface of the lower wall 22B in <FIG> is however adapted to allow partial introduction of the second connector <NUM> for engagement purpose.

The second connector <NUM> has a substantially arcuate shape in a side view as illustrated in <FIG> (this view is taken in a plane that is parallel to the plane of symmetry P1). This side shape is adapted to the shape of the substantially arcuate path followed by the second connector <NUM> in the course of its motion. In the present embodiment, the arc-shaped path that is followed by the second connector <NUM> in the course of its motion is circular and the motion is a rotary motion.

As shown in the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>, the second connector <NUM> may have a substantially elongate shape in a side view from a forward end that faces the first connector <NUM> in <FIG> to a rearward opposite end. The second connector <NUM> may substantially have the shape of a curved fork with two spaced apart parallel arms <NUM>, <NUM> that extend forwardly in an arcuate shape from the two opposing ends of a transverse base <NUM> located at the rearward opposite end of the connector. The concavity of the arcuate shape may be oriented downwardly with respect to the vertical orientation on the Figures. The two arms <NUM>, <NUM> define a void <NUM> therebetween (<FIG>). This void will be used for mounting the second connector <NUM> inside the support structure <NUM>.

The second connector <NUM> may include at its forward end a connecting member <NUM>, called second connecting member, that may include a hook portion, called second hook portion. The second hook portion is oriented along a second direction D4 that may be here oriented upwardly, e.g. vertically, opposite the first direction D3 in <FIG>. In the present embodiment, the second hook portion may include two hook portions 49A, 49B that are located respectively at the free ends of the arms <NUM>, <NUM>. These hook portions 49A, 49B may be identical and laterally spaced apart from each other with respect to the longitudinal plane of symmetry P1 of the handle. The hook portions 49A, 49B are in register with the hook portions 24A, 24B of the first connector <NUM>.

The following description of the hook portion 49A likewise applies to the hook portion 49B and will not be repeated. As more particularly shown in the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>, the hook portion 49A may include a first engagement surface 49A1 and a second engagement surface 49A2 that are both intended to come into contact with the respective engagement surfaces 24A1 and 24A2 of the first connector <NUM> as is shown in the engaged position of <FIG>.

In the described embodiment, the first engagement surface 49A1 may be a substantially downwardly-extending, e.g. vertical, wall that is located at the free forward end of the arm <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the wall forming the first engagement surface 49A1 may be slightly slanted outwardly with the same slanting angle as that of first engagement surface 24A1 of first connector <NUM>. The first engagement surface 49A1 may be oriented away from the arm <NUM>, whereas the second facing engagement surface 49A2 may be oriented toward the arm.

In the described embodiment, the second engagement surface 49A2 may be a slanting surface with the same slope as the slanting surface 24A2 of the first hook portion 24A. As shown in <FIG>, the two engagement surfaces 49A1 and 49A2 may be connected by an intermediate surface 49A3 that may be flat (e.g. horizontal) or alternatively slanted. The two engagement surfaces 49A1 and 49A2 may substantially be arranged in an upwardly flared manner from the intermediate surface 49A3. The hook portion 49A may also include a front surface 49A4 that may be oriented away from the arm <NUM> and with substantially the same inclination as the first engagement surface 49A1. The front surface 49A4 is here the outermost surface of the arm <NUM>. The second engagement surface 49A2 and the front surface 49A4 meet at a point referred to as M2. The point M2 is located at a height relative to the lowest point of the front surface 49A4 that is less than the reduced height of the opening between lower point M1 and the inner upper surface of the lower wall 22B in <FIG>.

The second connector <NUM> may include proximate its rearward end a complementary locking member that is adapted to interlock with the locking member <NUM> when the second connector <NUM> is in the engaged position with the first connector <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The complementary locking member may be located in part on each arm <NUM>, <NUM> and take the form of two identical parallel indents <NUM> and <NUM>, facing upwardly, each having a substantially V-shape with inclined surfaces (see <FIG>). The inclined surfaces of both indents <NUM>, <NUM> are intended to cooperate with the respective inclined ends 60B1, 60C1 of the two legs 60B, 60C of the locking member <NUM> in the engaged position.

The transverse base <NUM> of second connector <NUM> may be provided on its outer face that is oriented away from the second connector with an outside pin <NUM>. As schematically represented in <FIG>, a bias member S1 such as a compression spring may be mounted at one of its opposed ends around the pin <NUM>, the other end being mounted against support structure <NUM>. The second connector <NUM> may be symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal plane of symmetry as the plane P2 in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, a pusher <NUM>, e.g. having a longitudinal shape that is here axially oriented, may be located in the void <NUM> between the arms <NUM>, <NUM> of the second connector <NUM>. Pusher <NUM> may be provided at one of its two opposed ends, here a rear end, with a pin 54A (see <FIG>) around which a first end of a bias member S2, such as a compression spring as shown in <FIG>, may be mounted. A second opposite end of bias member S2 may be mounted against the front surface of the downwardly-extending member 86D of the actuator <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. Pusher <NUM> has a front end that is intended to be introduced inside casing <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> in the course of the engagement process and extend through the open forward end of casing <NUM> at the end of the process as shown in <FIG>. Pusher <NUM> comes into contact with a cam surface of the head at the end of the engagement process when the coupling mechanism is locked. During subsequent use of the product <NUM> the head <NUM> will be applied against the skin of a user. This will cause the head <NUM> to pivot relative to the first connector <NUM> and therefore the handle <NUM>, thanks to the contact between the pusher <NUM> and the head cam surface and the sliding motion of the arms of the first connector <NUM> along the corresponding camming surfaces of the head as is known in a conventional manner. Pusher <NUM> may be provided with a stop 54B on its upper face (see <FIG>) and a stop 54C on its opposed lower face (see <FIG>). Pusher <NUM> may take the form of a lug.

The support structure <NUM> may accommodate the second connector <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and guide its movement along a substantially arcuate-shaped path, e.g. here represented by a circle segment. The support structure <NUM> may have a substantially elongate shape that is horizontally oriented in <FIG> and include two parts: a first front part that includes an inner guiding channel <NUM> for the arms <NUM>, <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> and a second rear part that has a void <NUM> accommodating the rear end of the second connector <NUM> together with the indents <NUM>, <NUM> thereof.

More particularly, the second rear part of support structure <NUM> may include a peripheral wall <NUM> that extends horizontally so as to adopt a substantially U shape (when viewed from above) that outwardly borders the void <NUM> and meet at the first front part of support structure <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the peripheral wall <NUM> may include at its bottom edge, e.g. at the bottom edge of the two opposite wall portions that form the two branches of the U shape peripheral wall <NUM>, respectively two downwardly-extending supporting members <NUM>, <NUM> forming each an inclined sliding support over which each arm <NUM>, <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> may slide in the course of its motion. Two vertical traversing holes 126A, 126B may be provided respectively in the above two opposite wall portions of the U shape peripheral wall <NUM>. The holes 126A, 126B are in register with each other and allow to accommodate therein the respective pins 60D, 60E of the locking member <NUM> and guide its pivot or rocking movement about horizontal axis A1. The U-shaped peripheral wall <NUM> may include at its root a transverse wall portion 126C that forms the rear end of support structure <NUM>.

The inner guiding channel <NUM> of the support structure <NUM> may include a casing with a top wall 122a and a bottom wall 122b (see the cross-section of <FIG>) defining therebetween two parallel axial channels each for accommodating and guiding one of the two arms <NUM>, <NUM> of the second connector <NUM>. A first channel C1 is shown in <FIG> for guiding the arm <NUM>, the other channel being not visible here. The two channels may have upper and lower inner guiding surfaces with curvatures that are complementary to the curvatures of the upper and lower surfaces of each arm <NUM>, <NUM> so as to smoothly and reliably guide them through the channels. The top wall 122a may also be provided with a protruding member 122c that acts as a ramp for the installation of the support structure <NUM> in the upper cover portion 106A.

The first front part of the support structure <NUM> may also include a protruding casing <NUM>, for example forming a kind of sheath, in a forward central location relative to the casing <NUM>. The sheath <NUM> may be arranged in a central position located between the two channels and the two arms of the second connector <NUM> so that the two arms may be positioned on either side of the sheath <NUM> during their sliding motion as shown in <FIG> cross-section. The sheath <NUM> may have a longitudinal hollow portion 132A, as a central inner channel, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, that allows to axially receive the front part of the axial pusher <NUM>. Two inner upper and lower shoulders 132B, 132C may engage with the two stops 54B, 54C respectively so as to prevent the pusher <NUM> from moving further forwardly when installed in the position of <FIG>. The central inner channel 132A may extend rearwards between top wall 122A and bottom wall 122B of the casing through a longitudinal groove G in which the bottom portion of the pusher <NUM> may extend and slide for its installation until reaching the blocked installed position of <FIG>. A transverse shoulder 132D may be provided on the top wall of sheath <NUM>. This shoulder rests against the front edge of the upper cover portion 106A as shown in <FIG>. The first front part of the support structure <NUM> may include two side protruding tabs <NUM>, <NUM> located on either side of the side walls of the casing <NUM> and that each extend away from the latter. As shown in <FIG>, these side protruding tabs <NUM>, <NUM> partly engage with the two corresponding recesses 106B1, 106B2 provided inside the lower cover portion 106B, proximate its front part. Corresponding recesses are provided in the upper cover portion 106A to allow partial engagement of side protruding tabs <NUM>, <NUM>. This arrangement makes it possible to prevent the support structure <NUM> from moving forward axially when installed between the two cover portions 106A, 106B. The first front part of the support structure <NUM> may also include on either side of the sheath <NUM> two forwardly-extending protruding members <NUM>, <NUM> each provided a side shoulder and that are intended to mate into two longitudinal cavities 22C, 22D located respectively between each hook portion 24A, 24B and the corresponding side wall of casing <NUM> (see <FIG>). A side stop <NUM>, <NUM> may be provided at the root of each protruding member <NUM>, <NUM> so as to rest against an outside front surface of spaced apart inwardly-oriented side edges 106B3, 106B4 of the lower cover portion 106B when the structure support <NUM> is installed inside the latter. These side edges 106B3, 106B4 define therebetween an opening space for receiving the structure support <NUM>. The upper cover portion 106A is configured likewise for cooperating with the structure support <NUM>. When the structure support <NUM> is received inside the lower cover portion 106B, the two spaced apart inwardly-oriented side edges 106B3, 106B4 are each sandwiched between each couple of side protruding members <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> of the structure support <NUM>, thereby preventing any axial motion of the latter. When both upper and lower cover portions are assembled together while accommodating the structure support <NUM> therebetween, the latter is completely immobilized. The lower cover portion 106B may also include an upwardly-extending wall 106B5 (<FIG> and <FIG>) that may serve as an axial stop for rear portion 126C of support structure <NUM>. A downwardly-extending wall 106A1 is provided in the upper cover portion 106A (<FIG>) so that when both upper and lower cover portions are assembled together, the rear portion 126C of support structure <NUM> is sandwiched between the walls 106B5 and 106A1 of both cover portions, thereby immobilizing the support structure <NUM>.

When the above-described components of the handle <NUM> have been assembled, the pusher <NUM> has been inserted into the inner central channel of the sheath <NUM> until coming to a stop position (<FIG>) and its forward end 54D protrudes from sheath <NUM>. The locking member <NUM> has been mounted in a pivoting or rocking manner relative to the structure support <NUM> through the pins 60D, 60E inserted into the holes 126A, 126B of structure support <NUM>. The upper part of the locking member <NUM> including its crossbar 60A is inserted through the inner aperture 86B of the actuator <NUM> so as to come into contact with the inner concave face of the bridge member 86C (<FIG>). The locking member <NUM> is thus partially enclosed by the bridge member 86C in such a manner that axially moving the actuator <NUM> along the direction D2 of <FIG> causes the locking member <NUM> to pivot or rock about its axis A1 and vice versa. The button <NUM> has been partially inserted through aperture <NUM> so that its front lower portion may engage with the rear portion 86C2 of the actuator <NUM>. The second connector <NUM> is mounted inside the support structure <NUM> by inserting and sliding the arms <NUM>, <NUM> into the inner channels of casing <NUM> until reaching a stop position as in <FIG> where the second connecting member <NUM>, e.g. the hook portions 49A, 49B, protrudes from the casing <NUM> of the support structure <NUM> in a foremost extended position. In this position of <FIG>, the hook portions 49A, 49B may be ready so start an engagement process with the hook portions of the first connector. <FIG> illustrates a position in which the arms <NUM>, <NUM> are not fully inserted through the support structure <NUM>. When the second connector <NUM> is in the foremost extended position of <FIG>, the bias member S1 may lie between the rearwardly-extending pin <NUM> and the inner face of rear wall portion 126C of the support structure <NUM>. The second connector is therefore biased in this position under the action of bias member S1 which is here in a compressed state. The bias member S2 may lie between the rearwardly-extending pin 54A of the pusher <NUM> and the front surface of the downwardly-extending member 86D of the actuator <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, thereby maintaining the actuator <NUM> and the locking member <NUM> it encloses in a rest position as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

When viewed in a plane as that of <FIG> that is parallel to the symmetry plane P1 of the handle <NUM> the second connector <NUM> has a substantially arcuate shape and moves along a substantially arc-shaped path that may be represented here by a circular segment P in dotted lines. The arrow denoted F illustrates the circular movement of the second connector <NUM> about an axis of rotation A2. This axis is perpendicular both to the <FIG> plane and the symmetry plane P1 and lies in a transverse vertical plane that is both perpendicular to the symmetry plane P1 and the axial direction D1 and crosses the second connector <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the axis of rotation A2 may lie outside the handle <NUM> in a position located below the front end of the handle <NUM>. In the position of <FIG> the transverse vertical plane including the axis A2 may substantially be a median transverse plane for the second connector <NUM>. The circular segment P is a portion of a circle with a radius that may be chosen as small as possible so that the axial extension of the second connector in a rectilinear direction (e.g. along direction D1) be as small as possible.

A method for connecting the replaceable shaving cartridge <NUM> of the shaving device <NUM> to the handle <NUM> of the shaving device will now be described with reference to the <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. This method is not part of the claimed invention.

As shown in <FIG>, the cartridge <NUM> is pushed axially by a user along axial direction D1 towards the handle <NUM> with the aim of connecting them. The first connector <NUM> is then pushed along axial direction D1 (under the user's axial pressure) and comes into contact with the axially protruding second connector <NUM>. The axial direction D1 along which user's pressure is applied to the second connector <NUM> is tangential to the substantially arcuate shape of the second connector <NUM> and, more particularly, tangential to the arc-shaped path or circle segment P. The first connector <NUM> is pressed against the front end of the second connector <NUM> that bears the connecting member including the hook portions 49A, 49B.

As more particularly shown in the enlarged view of <FIG>, when the first connector <NUM> is axially pushed against the second connector <NUM> the hook portions 49A, 49B penetrate into the open end of casing <NUM> below the hook portions 24A, 24B of the first connector. The intermediate slanted surface 24A3 may act as a ramp during the axial penetration movement of the hook portions 49A, 49B by guiding the point M2 along this ramp in the forward direction inside the casing <NUM>. This penetration movement is stopped when the first engagement surface 24A1 abuts the first engagement surface 49A1 in the position of <FIG>. In this position, the point M2 is located at a height that is less than the height of the point M1 (see <FIG>). In this position, the locking member <NUM> is in its rest position as the one represented in <FIG>. The locking member <NUM> rests against the rear transverse base <NUM> of the second connector. This position represents the beginning of the engagement process that will lead to engagement and locking of the second connector <NUM> with the first connector <NUM>. When axially pushed by the first connector <NUM> the second connector <NUM> compresses bias member S1.

When pushing further along axial direction D1, the first connector <NUM> continues to move towards the handle <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> and pushes rearwardly the second connector <NUM>. The arms <NUM>, <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> are caused to retract inside casing <NUM> and slide inside the channels thereof. In the course of this sliding motion the arms <NUM>, <NUM> move with respect to the handle <NUM> along the arc-shaped path P, in a rotary motion, in the direction of the arrow F in <FIG>. The second connector <NUM> is then forced to rotate clockwise around the axis of rotation A2. During this movement, the hook portions 49A, 49B move upwardly towards the hook portions 24A, 24B to engage further with the latter. The vertical distance between the positions of the points M1 and M2 is reducing as the second connector <NUM> is moving rearward. When the second connector <NUM> is moving rearward it pushes the legs 60B, 60C of the locking member <NUM> as indicated by the arrow R in <FIG>, causing the latter to rotate counterclockwise (<FIG>) and allowing the ends 60B1, 60C1 of the legs 60B, 60C to slide on cam surfaces 46A, 46B of the second connector <NUM> (<FIG>). The rear end of the second connector <NUM> including the transverse base <NUM> passes below the locking member <NUM> in the course of the rotary motion of the second connector <NUM> (<FIG>) and the counterclockwise rotation of the locking member <NUM> causes the actuator <NUM> to move forward along direction D2 as shown in <FIG>, thereby compressing the bias member S2 between the pusher <NUM> and the actuator <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, when still being axially pushed by the first connector <NUM>, the second connector <NUM> is further moved according to its guided rotary motion (bias member S1 is further compressed) until the ends 60B1, 60C1 of the legs 60B, 60C of the locking member <NUM> are no longer maintained against the cam surfaces 46A, 46B. The locking member <NUM> is then caused to rotate clockwise under the biasing action of bias member S2 against the actuator <NUM> and that pushes the latter rearward. At the same time the ends 60B1, 60C1 of the legs 60B, 60C respectively slide into the indents <NUM> and <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> and interlock therewith, thereby preventing the latter to move back forward under the action of the compressed bias member S1. In this position, the second connector <NUM> is engaged and locked with the first connector <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, in this position the first and second engagement surfaces 24A1, 24A2 and 49A1, 49A2 of the first and second connectors are fully engaged with each other. In this fully engaged position the point M2 has reached a position that is higher than the position of the point M1, contrary to the initial position of <FIG> and the respective hook portions of the first and second connectors mate with each other so as to prevent any axial movement therebetween. In this position the vertical distance d between the two points is sufficient for ensuring a reliable engagement of the two connectors (<FIG>). As the second connector <NUM> is simultaneously locked by the locking member <NUM> as explained above, the two connectors <NUM>, <NUM> can no longer be moved relative to each other and are therefore safely and reliably connected or coupled to each other. Thus, the cartridge <NUM> has been simply, safely and reliably connected to the handle <NUM> through the described method or process. The circular motion of the second connector <NUM> which makes it possible to achieve engagement with the first connector <NUM> and locking in the engaged position requires less space than with components moving according to a rectilinear motion. Further, the moving parts of the mechanism involved for achieving such engagement and locking are bordered by an envelope with reduced dimensions, therefore leading to a less bulky mechanism. The same advantages are also provided by an engagement and locking process obtained through applying with pressure the second connector <NUM> against the first connector <NUM>.

The disengagement phase will now be described with reference to <FIG> and 10A-B. This phase is triggered by a user actuating the button <NUM> as shown in <FIG> through sliding the button axially along the direction D2. Sliding forward the button <NUM> causes the actuator <NUM> to move forward (<FIG>), thereby forcing the locking member <NUM> to rotate counterclockwise around its pivot or rotation axis A1 as shown by the rotating arrow in <FIG> (the rear portion 86C2 of the actuator pushes on the crossbar 60A of the locking member <NUM>). Rotating the locking member <NUM> causes the ends 60B1, 60C1 of its legs to move away from the indents <NUM>, <NUM> of the second connector <NUM>. During this movement the bias member S2 is compressed by the forward motion of the actuator <NUM>. As the second connector <NUM> is no longer locked in position by the locking member, the compressed bias member S1 urges the second connector <NUM> to move back along its rotary path, in a reverse direction denoted B in <FIG>. This reverse rotary motion around the axis A2 is a continuous and progressive movement in the course of which the hook portions 24A, 24B and 49A, 49B of the first and second connectors <NUM>, <NUM> respectively are progressively disengaging from one another. The hook portions 49A, 49B of the second connector <NUM> are lowering relative to the hook portions 24A, 24B of the first connector <NUM>, the distance d in <FIG> is decreasing so as to lower the point M2 to a lower position with respect to the point M1 as in <FIG>. In this position, the first connector <NUM> is no longer engaged with the second connector <NUM> and therefore can be successfully axially ejected from the second connector <NUM> and the handle <NUM> under the action of the bias member S1.

Claim 1:
A coupling mechanism (<NUM>) for connecting a replaceable shaving cartridge (<NUM>) of a shaving device (<NUM>) to a handle (<NUM>) of the shaving device, the coupling mechanism (<NUM>) comprising:
- a first connector (<NUM>) of the replaceable shaving cartridge (<NUM>),
- a second connector (<NUM>) of the handle (<NUM>) that is adapted to move along a substantially arc-shaped path with respect to the handle when at least one connector of the first connector (<NUM>) and the second connector (<NUM>) is pushed against the other connector, the second connector (<NUM>) being adapted to mechanically engage with the first connector (<NUM>) in the course of the motion of the second connector (<NUM>) so as to reach an engaged position with the first connector (<NUM>),
- a locking member (<NUM>) of the handle (<NUM>) that is adapted to lock the second connector (<NUM>) when the latter is in the engaged position with the first connector (<NUM>),
wherein the handle (<NUM>) has an overall longitudinal shape and is symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal plane of symmetry (P1), characterised by: the second connector (<NUM>) being able to move, move along a substantially arc-shaped path lying in a plane that is parallel to the symmetry plane (P1), under a pressure having an axial direction (D1) that is substantially aligned with the overall longitudinal shape of the handle, wherein when taken from a side view in the plane that is parallel to the plane of symmetry (P1), the second connector (<NUM>) has a substantially arcuate shape that is adapted to the shape of the substantially arcuate path that is followed by the second connector (<NUM>) in the course of its motion, wherein the arc-shaped path is circular, wherein the motion of the second connector (<NUM>) is a rotary motion about an axis of rotation that is located outside the handle (<NUM>) and lies in a transverse plane that is perpendicular both to the symmetry plane (P1) of the handle and the axial direction (D1) and that crosses the second connector.