RAZOR HANDLE HAVING A RETRACTABLE RAZOR HEAD CARRIER AND

RAZOR SUCH A HANDLE

Field of the invention

The invention relates to razor handles having a retractable razor head carrier and razors having such a handle .

More precisely, the invention concerns a razor handle which comprises:

- a hollow elongate housing having a front end and a back end opposite to the front end, said housing further comprising an opening provided at the front end,

- a razor head carrier which is slidably mounted in the housing between:

- a first, non-shaving position in which said razor head carrier is retracted inside the housing, and

- a second, shaving position in which said razor head carrier is extended toward said opening of the housing,

- a sliding mechanism provided on the housing for moving the razor head carrier between the first position and the second position,

- a lock-and-release mechanism able to hold a removable razor head on said razor head carrier, said lock- and-release mechanism having at least one release member,

Background of the invention

Patent application WO2005/090017 discloses a razor assembly comprising two removable razor heads. The razor heads are mounted inside a razor handle on a slideable carrier able to move between a non- shaving position and a shaving position. Two lock-and-release mechanisms with release members are provided on the razor handle to allow an easy replacement of the removable razor heads .

However the access to the release members is always possible, even when the razor head is retracted inside the handle. The release members are rendered inoperative in the

non- shaving position through a rather complicated arrangement .

Object and Summary of the invention

Such razor can be enhanced by preventing access to the release members when the razor head is retracted in order to prevent any inadvertent release of the razor head. To this end, the razor handle according to the invention is characterized in that the lock-and-release mechanism is mounted onto said razor head carrier, wherein, when the razor head carrier is in the first position, the release member is hidden inside the housing to prevent releasing of the razor head locked on the razor head carrier, and wherein, when the razor head carrier is in the second position, the release member is located outside of the housing and can be activated to release the razor head held on the razor head carrier.

In various embodiments of the invention, one and/or the other of the following features may be incorporated: the razor head carrier, when it is in the first position, is completely located inside the housing; the lock-and-release mechanism comprises two release members; the lock-and-release mechanism may comprise: a resilient V-shaped retainer having two arms provided with bearing members for the mounting of a razor head, the arms having each a lateral wing, a cam member for biasing the arms of the retainer away from each other, a plunger, a spring for biasing the plunger away from the cam member, wherein each of the release members is located at the end of a respective lateral wing; the razor handle sliding mechanism comprises a locking mechanism which is adapted to selectively lock the razor head carrier relative to the housing and let the

razor head carrier freely slide relative to the housing; the locking mechanism is controlled by a release knob; the razor handle housing is provided at least a first rail provided with indents and said sliding mechanism further comprises a pusher cooperating with the release knob, said pusher being provided with arms sliding on said first rail and able to be retained in said rail indents corresponding to first and second positions of the razor head carrier; a spring permanently biases the pusher and the knob towards their respective locking position; the razor head carrier is slidingly guidable along at least a second rail provided in the housing; the razor handle further comprises a cover for covering the opening of the housing when the razor head carrier is in the first position.

Besides, the invention also relates to a razor comprising a handle as described above and a razor head connected to the razor head carrier.

The razor head is preferably mounted onto said razor head carrier so that when the razor head carrier is in the first position, the razor head is completely located inside the housing, and when the razor head carrier is in the second position, the razor head extends out of the razor handle.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of one embodiment of the invention, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a razor handle according to one embodiment of the invention, shown in the retracted position.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the razor handle

of figure 1, shown in the extended position, with a razor head extending thereof .

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the razor handle of figures 1 and 2, in the retracted position.

Figure 4 is a partial perspective bottom view of the razor handle of the preceding figures, without the bottom shell member, shown in the retracted position.

Figure 5 is a partial perspective top view of the razor handle of the preceding figures, without the top shell member, shown in the retracted position.

Figure 6 is a top view of the razor handle of the preceding figures.

Figure 7 is an exploded partial perspective bottom view of the razor handle, shown in the extended position.

Figure 8a is a longitudinal section of the razor of the preceding figures, taken along the line VIII-VIII of figure 4.

Figure 8b is a detailled and zoomed longitudinal section of the razor of the preceding figures, taken along the line VIIIb of figure 8b.

Figure 9 is a top perspective view showing a lock- and-release mechanism for the razor of the preceding figures .

Figure 10 is a transversal section of the razor of the preceding figures taken along the line X-X of figure 4, with a partial cutaway.

Figures 11a to Hd are schematic partial views showing the kinematics of the linkage controlling the flap, figure Ha corresponding to the first position, figure Hd to the second position and figures Hb and Hc to intermediate positions.

Figure 12 is a diagram showing the relationship between the razor head carrier stroke, the linkage travel and the flap angular displacement .

In the various figures, the same references

designate elements which are identical or similar.

As illustrated in figure 1, the razor handle 1 according to the invention comprises a front end 3 and an opposite back end 4. Such a razor handle 1 comprises a hollow housing 2 opened at the handle front end 3 by an opening 5. The housing 2 comprises a bottom shell member 9 and a top shell member 10.

The housing 2 can have a central constriction and can present in side view an arcuate shape, thereby providing comfortable hand grasping. Besides, gripping areas can also be provided on top and bottom sides of the handle 1 to improve the finger grasping.

The razor handle 1 comprises a razor head carrier 8, which is slidably mounted in the housing 2. Such razor head carrier 8 can be slidably moved between a first position and a second position. The first position, corresponding to the non-shaving position, is depicted in figure 1. The second position, corresponding to the shaving position, is depicted in figure 2.

The razor handle 1 is able to carry a razor head 16, attached to the razor head carrier 8, the razor head including one or more blades (four in the illustrated example, as shown in figure 8a) . The razor head attachment may allow a swiveling movement along an axis Al parallel to the shaving cutting edge direction. Release members 78 are provided to unlock the razor head attachment and will be described in details below.

The razor handle 1 further comprises a sliding mechanism 36 provided on the housing 2 for moving the razor head carrier 8 between the first position and the second position, along an aperture 42 provided on the top shell member 10.

In the first position, the razor head 16 carried by the razor head carrier 8 is retracted inside the housing 2, to prevent access from the user to the razor head. The

razor head 16 is thus protected from damage and any accidental cutting is advantageously avoided.

Preferably the handle further comprises a movable flap 7 which can close the opening 5. In the first position, this flap covers the opening 5 to protect the razor head 16 against foreign object ingress, dust or moisture .

In the second position (figure 2), the razor head 16 carried by the razor head carrier 8 extends outward the handle to enable shaving. In this position, the movable flap 7 is open.

As illustrated on figures 3, 4 and 5, the bottom shell member 9 and top shell member 10 are permanently attached to one another and together enclose the razor head carrier 8, by the means of flexible clip members 84, 85 located in the top shell member 10 clip. Said clip members 84, 85 engage in corresponding opposite clip recesses 86, 87 located in the bottom shell member 9.

The razor head carrier 8 comprises an elongated arcuate plate member 11 which has substantially the same curvature as that of the handle housing 2. The razor head carrier 8 comprises a longitudinal stiffening rib 112 and two spaced transversal ribs 113, 114 which protrude from a top surface 115 of the plate member 11. The razor head carrier 8 comprises also a hollow central housing 116 defined, on the one hand, by a pair of opposed transversal walls 117, 118 protruding from the top surface 115, and, on the other hand, by a pair of opposed longitudinal side walls 119, 120 also protruding from the top surface 115 in the continuity of the transversal walls 117, 118.

The front part of the razor head carrier 8 additionally comprises an attachment unit 17, protruding on the front end of the razor head carrier 8, whose purpose is to hold the lock-and-release mechanism together with the cover member 99, as this will be described in details

later .

The razor head carrier 8 may also comprises a control profile 14 extending from the lower surface 29 of the plate member 11, said control profile participating in the control of the movement of the linkage 80 as this will be described in details later.

A flat arcuate guiding plate 21 is clipped onto the razor head carrier 8. More precisely, the guiding plate 21 is provided with a central hole 22, the edge of which cooperates with hooks 23, 24 protruding from the transversal walls 117, 118 of the plate member 11. The guiding plate 21 has a bottom surface 25 in contact with a top edge 26 of the stiffening ribs 112, 113, 114, thereby providing stable mounting of the guiding plate 21 on the razor head carrier 8. The plate 21 slides together with the razor head carrier 8 and always masks the elongated aperture 42, thereby preventing access to the technical parts inside the handle 1.

As illustrated in figure 4, the razor head carrier 8 comprises a pair of parallel ribs 27, 28 protruding from a lower surface 29 of the razor head carrier 8, and which extend longitudinally substantially all along the length of the razor head carrier 8.

As depicted in figure 3, the handle 1 is provided with guiding means for the sliding of the razor head carrier 8, which comprise two parallel elongated bottom rails 30, 31 protruding from an inner bottom surface 32 of the bottom shell member 9, and extending along each lateral side of the pair of parallel ribs 27, 28.

The razor head carrier guiding means also comprise two parallel elongated top rails 33, 34 protruding from an inner top surface 35 of the top shell member 10 (also visible on figure 7) , extending along lateral edges of the guiding plate 21.

The sliding mechanism 36 is slideable with respect

to the top shell member 10 along a direction substantially parallel to the handle longitudinal axis, for moving the razor head carrier 8 from the first position to the second position and vice versa.

As illustrated on figures 3, 5, 8a and 10, the sliding mechanism 36 is mounted on the razor head carrier 8 and comprises a guiding unit 43 having cylindrical hollow body 37 which has four projecting parallel flexible lugs 38 passing through a central aperture 39 defined in the razor head carrier 8 by the housing 116. The lugs 38 are provided with hooks 40 which engage in longitudinal bridge members 41 extending across the central aperture 39, so that the sliding mechanism 36 is clipped on the razor head carrier 8.

The body 37 of the guiding unit 43 passes through the aperture 42 which is formed in the top shell member 10 between the top rails 33, 34. The guiding unit 43 has also a substantially flat head which projects, at one end of the body 37 opposite to the lugs 38, along a top external surface 44 of the top shell member 10.

The sliding mechanism 36 also comprises a locking mechanism having a release knob 46 and a pusher 47 which are slidingly mounted in the body 37 along an elevational axis Y. Pusher 47 has a main body 48 mounted in a corresponding recess 49 formed in the body 37 of guiding unit 43, and diametrically opposed transversal arms 50, 51 which project laterally from the main body 48 and which are received in respective lateral slots 52 formed in the longitudinal side walls 119, 120 of the housing 116.

The guiding unit 43 top surface comprises a recess 45 to slidably receive this release knob 46.

The release knob 46 includes a cover member 53, which projects from the recess 45 to be accessible for a user's finger. The release knob 46 also includes legs which are projecting along axis Y and which are clipped onto the

pusher 47 hooks 54 cooperating with corresponding shoulder surfaces 55 formed on the main body 48 of the pusher 47 (also visible on figure 8b) .

Pusher 47 is slideable with respect to the body 37 along the elevational axis Y, between a locking position in which the pusher 47 is at a distance from the plate member 11, the release knob 46 projecting from the recess 45, and an unlocking position in which the pusher 47 is close to the plate member 11.

A return spring 57 is mounted in compression between the pusher 47 and the razor head carrier 8, so as to permanently bias the pusher 47 towards its locking position. More precisely, spring 57 has a bottom end 58 which is mounted onto a pin 59 protruding from the plate 11, and a top end 60 which is mounted on a bottom pin 56 of the pusher 47, the pins 56, 59 thereby together forming spring guiding means .

As the return spring 57 biases continuously the pusher 47 against the release knob 46, the locking mechanism has a locking position in which the knob 46 protrudes from recess 45, and an unlocking position in which the return spring 57 is compressed and in which the knob 46 is fully depressed into the recess 45.

As illustrated in figure 7, each top rail 33, 34 is provided with two spaced apart indents 61, 62, in which transversal arms 50, 51 are capable of being received, depending on the position of the sliding mechanism 36, i.e. a front end indent 62, located near the front end 3 of the handle, a back indent 61.

As illustrated in figure 8b, in the first position of the razor head carrier 8, the arms 50, 51, which act as locking means for locking the razor head carrier 8 in position, are received in the back indents 61.

As the spring 57 biases the pusher 47 to its locking position, the arms 50, 51 abut longitudinally

against transversal shoulder surfaces of the back indents 61, thereby preventing the razor head carrier 8 to move longitudinally.

Whenever the user wants to extend the razor head 16, he squeezes the release knob 46 against the action of the return spring 57, to unlock the locking mechanism, thereby releasing the arms 50, 51 of the pusher 47 from the back indent 61. The user is then capable of sliding the sliding mechanism 36 towards the front end 3 of the razor handle so to move the razor head carrier 8 towards the second position (figure 8b, chain dotted line) . Accordingly, the sliding mechanism 36 slides in intermediate positions with the release knob 46 and the pusher 47 in positions illustrated in chain dotted line. The pusher arm 50 slides along the bottom surface 64 of the top rails 33, 34. Thus the release knob 46 and pusher 47 move according to the arrow 63 shown on figure 8b.

During the movement of the razor head carrier 8 towards the second position, the razor head carrier 8 being precisely guided by the top and bottom rails 30, 31, 33, 34 as described above, the arms 50, 51 slide onto respective edges 64 of the top rails 33, 34, thereby holding the pusher 47 in its unlocking position, and holding the release knob 46 in its unlocking position.

As soon as the arms 50, 51 come in front e.g. of the front end indent 62, the spring moves the pusher 47 and the release knob towards their respective locking position, where the arms 50, 51 are clipped in the front end indents 62, thereby locking the razor head carrier 8 in its second position.

Accordingly, when the razor head carrier 8 is in first or second position, it is strongly held in position with respect to the housing 2, thereby preventing the razor head 16 from accidentally moving from one position to the other. Accordingly, there is low risk that a user cuts

himself with the razor head.

In order to achieve replacement of the razor head 16, the razor handle 1 includes a lock-and-release mechanism 65. The lock-and-release mechanism 65 comprises at least one release member 78 provided on the razor head carrier 8. As depicted in figure 2, two release members 78 are provided respectively on each lateral face of the razor head carrier 8 to easily disengage the razor head 16 from the razor head carrier 8.

In the first position of the razor head carrier 8 as shown in figure 1, the release members 78 are hidden inside the housing 2, to prevent any access, especially from the fingers of a user. Thus, any inadvertent release of the razor head is prevented.

Conversely, in the second position of the razor head carrier 8 as shown in figure 2, the release members 78 are accessible to a user's fingers, thus enabling the release of the razor head 16.

To that extent, the razor head carrier 8 is adapted to carry the lock-and-release mechanism 65.

Referring to figures 8a and 9, the lock-and-release mechanism 65 comprises for example a resilient V-shaped retainer 68 having two legs 69, 70 movable towards and away from each other. Bearing members 71 are formed at the ends of the legs 69, 70, removably attached to corresponding curved hooks 72 provided on the back side of the razor head 16 to permit swiveling movement of the razor head 16 with respect to the razor head carrier 8, around axis Al (figure 2) .

A cam member 73 is mounted between the legs 69, 70 for permanently biasing them away from each other in order to maintain the bearing members 71 in cooperation with the corresponding hooks 72. Between the legs 69, 70 is also mounted a plunger 74, a front portion 75 of which is in contact with a complementary cam surface provided on the

back side of the razor head 16. A compression spring 76, interposed between the plunger 74 and the cam member 73, biases them away from each other, thereby pushing forward the plunger 74 to maintain permanent contact of the latter with the razor head 16, and pushing backwards the cam member 73 to maintain permanent contact of the latter with the legs 69, 70.

Each leg 69, 70 has a respective protruding wing 97, which extends transversely from the respective leg 69,70 to an opposite end, on which is located a release member 78. Preferably, each release member 78 has an oval- shaped main body and comprises grip surfaces 78a.

As depicted on figures 3 and 8a, the lock-and- release mechanism 65 is attached to the platform member 8 by means of an attachment unit 17 formed on the front end of the razor head carrier 8. A cover member 99, which is clipped onto the attachment unit 17, holds the lock-and- release mechanism 65. More precisely, the cover member 99 comprises lateral flanges 100 provided with hooks 102, which cooperate with corresponding retaining means 101 provided on the attachment unit 17. Cut-outs 103 are formed in the side walls of the cover member 99 for free passage of the wings 97.

The cover member 99 also comprises an opening 66 at the back side to receive the back edge of the V shape retainer 68.

A centerline longitudinal groove 18 is formed in the attachment unit 17 (visible on figure 3) and another opposite corresponding longitudinal groove 104 is formed in the cover member 99, those grooves cooperating with corresponding ribs 106 provided on the plunger 74 in order to guide forth and back movement of the plunger 74 and cam member 73.

Each lateral wing 97 is received between a concave shape 19, substantially semi ellipsoidal, in the attachment

unit 17 and an opposite concave shape 103, substantially semi ellipsoidal, in the cover member 99. These two complementary shapes thus provide appropriate guidance in the transversal direction for each wing 97.

In the use position, wherein the razor head 16 protrudes from the handle 1, the movement of the release members 78 toward each other biases the wings 97, which bias in turn the legs 69, 70, thereby releasing the bearing members 71 from the razor head hooks 72, whereas forward movement of the plunger 74 under bias of the spring 76 ejects the razor head 16 and allows for disposal and replacement of the latter.

Besides, the bottom shell member 9 and top shell member 10 are assembled in a manner known in the art. For example, an elongated pin 92 formed in the border of the top shell engages in a corresponding groove 93 formed in the border of the bottom shell (figures 4 and 5) . Top shell 10 and bottom shell 9 are permanently attached to one another by the means of clip members 84,85 and clip recesses 86,87. In order to enhance the robustness of the housing 2, the bottom shell 9 additionally comprises two transversal stiffening ribs 90,91 (figure 3) extending from the bottom surface 32 transversally up to the sides of the bottom shell 9.

The attachment unit 17 further comprises two lateral protrusions 88 extending from the front ends of the attachment unit 17 in the direction of the razor head 16. These protrusions 88 act as a guidance means when coupling the razor head 16 onto the razor handle 1 and form a protection frame for the bearing members 71 and the razor head hooks 72 against mechanical external stress or shocks. According to the present invention, the razor handle 1 can further comprise a cover member. Such cover member is for example a movable flap 7 pivotally mounted on the front end 3 of the razor handle 1, between two

positions :

- a closed position in which the flap 7 covers the opening 5 of the housing 2 of the handle (figures 1 , 4 , 5 , 8a, lla) , to prevent access to the blades and protect the inside of the handle (in particular against dust and moisture), and the razor head 16, and

- an open position in which the flap 7 uncovers the opening 5 (figures 2,1Id) to allow the razor head carrier 8 to slide out and project outward the razor head 16.

Referring specially to figures 7 and lla-lld, the flap 7 comprises a substantially flat member 79, whose surface substantially corresponds to the surface of the opening 5 of the housing 2 (see figure 8a) . The flap 7 comprises additionally two smaller diametrically opposed lateral flanges 79b.

The flap 7 comprises an articulation mechanism enabling the swiveling around the transversal axis A2 , perpendicular to the main elongation axis of the razor handle 1. As depicted on figures 3 and 8a, in order to be able to swivel, the flap is pivotally fixed on the handle by two pins 13 engaged in axis recesses 12, formed in the side of the bottom shell member 9.

The flap further comprises two symmetrically opposed holes 83, located in the lateral flanges 79b to receive control means for controlling the movement of the flap 7.

These control means comprise a linkage 80 controlled by the razor head carrier 8.

The linkage 80 comprises for example a elongate U- shaped resilient wire having a center portion 81 and two symmetrically extending arms 82, each arm having a free end 83b received in holes 83. As described hereafter, the linkage 80 is attached on the handle 1 in a way allowing the opening and closing of the flap 7 accordingly with the

sliding of the razor head carrier 8.

The razor head carrier 8 comprises a control profile 14 located under the surface 29 of the plate member 21. This control profile 14 extends perpendicularly from the center line of this surface 29, between the two guiding ribs 27, 28. As depicted in figures 10 and lla-lld, the thickness of this profile is substantially constant from the back end 141 to the front end 142. Transversal spaced apart stiffening ribs 143,144 enhance the rigidity of said control profile 14.

This control profile 14 comprises a recess 140, close to the back end 141, said recess cooperating with the center portion 81 of the linkage 80.

Besides, the housing comprises in the bottom shell member 9 two symmetrical complementary control profiles 15, shown in figures 3,5 and lla-lld, having a recess 150.

The center portion 81 is sandwiched between the control profile 14 and the complementary control profiles 15 as depicted particularly in figures 11a to Hd.

The movement of the razor head carrier 8, illustrated in figures lla-lld, defines a movement stroke S illustrated in figure 12, comprising at least a first stroke portion Sl in which the control profile 14 pushes or pulls the center portion 81 of the linkage 80, and a second stroke portion S2 in which the linkage 80 is not moving and is located in the recess 150 of the complementary control profiles 15 (figures lie, Hd) .

When the sliding mechanism 36 moves from the first to the second position of the razor head carrier 8, as illustrated in figure Hb, the control profile recess 140 pushes the linkage 80 towards the front end 3 of the razor handle 1, at least in the first part Sl of the stroke (figures Ha and lib) .

Conversely, when the sliding mechanism moves back from the second to the first position of the razor head

carrier 8, the control profile recess 140 pulls the linkage

80 towards the back end 4 of the razor handle 1 , at least in the first part Sl of the stroke (figures 11a and lib) .

As illustrated in figure 12, this first stroke portion Sl of the razor head carrier 8 is less than thirty percent of the total razor head carrier stroke S. This first stroke portion Sl corresponds to the opening and closing of the movable flap 7 (shown as dotted line 7a on figure llc-lld) , while the displacement of the razor head carrier 8 is relatively small. As a result, the razor head 16 does not touch the movable flap 7 during this part of the stroke. In other words, the movable flap 7 opens before the razor head 16 moves out of the opening 5, which prevents any damage on the razor head 16 or on the cutting blades themselves .

In the second portion S2 of the stroke, between the positions shown in figures lie and Hd, the center portion

81 of the linkage 80 remains in the recess 150 and the control profile 14 slides on it without pushing or pulling it. As the center portion 81 does not move relative to bottom shell 9, the movable flap 7 remains in the same position, i.e. fully open. In this position, the flap member 79 is nearly in contact with the inner surface 95 of the bottom shell member 9, in line with the bottom shell, the flap surface 79a being flush with the bottom shell surface 96. This inner surface 95 constitutes a travel stop for the flap and the linkage travels.

Returning to figure 12, the razor head carrier 8 stroke S presents a rather linear displacement 800 from the first position Pl to the second position P2. This displacement 800 is also the displacement of the moving control profile 14 for the linkage 80.

In the first stroke portion Sl, the linkage travel is proportional to the razor head carrier displacement 800. The angular displacement of the movable flap (θflap) is

directly linked to the linkage travel through the hinge 12, 13 and the articulation control 83,83b: the flap angularly moves from the close position 701 to the open position 702 (corresponding to figure lie) .

In the second stroke portion S2 , the linkage travel and the flap angular position (θflap) correspond to the open position of the flap (as shown in figure lie) . In this portion the razor head carrier 8 can move to its second position P2 without any mechanical contact between the razor head 16 and the flap 7. When moving back from the second position P2 towards the first direction, the razor head carrier 8 retracts all along the second stroke portion S2, without any movement on the linkage 80 or on the flap 7 until it reaches the first stroke section, shown by reference 97. At this point the razor head 16 is nearly completely retracted. When the retraction movement goes on towards the position Pl, the linkage travel decreases from 702 towards 701 together with the related flap angular position (θflap) .

As a result, all along the stroke S, no contact occurs between the movable flap 7 and the razor head 16.