RAZOR

The present invention relates to a razor.

Razors are currently known which are usually constituted by a handle which has a substantially linear shape, constitutes a grip and is provided, at one end, with a coupling means for a head which usually has the shape of a parallelepiped and is arranged approximately transversely to the handle.

The connection to the head can be of the fixed type or can allow oscillation.

Two or more mutually parallel blades are usually rigidly coupled on the head.

These known types of razor have a drawback: when the edge of the blade is worn, the user has to grip the head, remove it from the handle, discard the head which can no longer be used, take another head and then associate it again with the handle.

These operations require time and a certain manual skill on the part of the user, who must also be careful to hold the head so as to not touch the blades with his fingers so as to not cut himself; this operation is not always easy, also in view of the small size of the head.

Further, the replacement head provided with the new blades is usually stored at an appropriately provided container, and this requires the user to remove the head from the respective seat in order to arrange it on the handle. Therefore, the user is required to perform an additional step of operation, with the possibility that the head might be extracted incorrectly and might fall once extracted.

Further, in case of an accidental fall, the blade may lose its edge in one or more points and therefore lead to less than ideal shaving.

The aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned problems, eliminating the drawbacks of the cited background art, by providing a razor which allows the user to replace rapidly and easily the blades that have already been used with other new ones.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a razor which allows the operator to perform this replacement in safe conditions, protecting the fingers against possible contacts with the blades.

Another object is to provide a razor in which blade replacement can be achieved without removing the head from the handle.

Another object is to provide a razor in which there is a replacement head which is available rapidly and easily to the user.

Another object is to provide a razon which is structurally simple and at the same time has low manufacturing and maintenance costs. This aim and these and other objects, which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a razor, characterized in that it comprises a handle provided with a support with which a head provided with blades arranged along a generatrix is associated so that it can rotate selectively. Advantageously, the razor has means for adjusting the angular position of said head with respect to said support.

Conveniently, the razor has a head which is detachably associated with said support.

Advantageously, said razor is further provided with means for the articulation of said support and with a seat in said handle for a replacement head.

In the exemplary embodiments that follow, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other exemplary embodiments. Moreover, it is noted that anything found to be already known during

the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a particular embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective side view of a razor; Figure 2 is a first side view of the razor; Figure 3 is a second side view of the razor;

Figure 4 is a partially sectional side view of the support and of the head;

Figure 5 is a sectional view, taken along the line V-V of Figure 4, in which the head is shown in partial cross-section; Figure 6 is a sectional view, taken along the line VI-VI of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a side view of the support and of the head of another embodiment, the head being shown only in broken lines;

Figure 8 is a sectional view, taken along a longitudinal central plane, of the embodiment shown in Figure 7, in the condition in which the head is associated with the support;

Figure 9 is a view, similar to Figure 8, in which the head is partially removed from the support;

Figure 10 is a sectional view, taken along a central longitudinal plane, of the head and of the support of a further embodiment; Figure 1 1 is a side view of the support of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a side perspective view of the support according to another embodiment;

Figure 13 is a view, similar to Figure 10, of the embodiment of Figure 12; Figure 14 is a sectional view, taken along the line XIV-XIV of Figure

13.

With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 designates a razor which is constituted by a handle 2, which constitutes the grip for the user and from which a support 3 protrudes which has an arc-like shape such as to arrange its end 4, which has a substantially circular plan shape, along an axis 10 which is approximately perpendicular to the axis, designated by the reference numeral 12, of the handle 2.

The end 4 therefore has a surface 5 which has a substantially circular plan shape and on which a first seat 6 is provided axially which has, in plan view, a substantially quadrangular shape.

The shape of the first seat 6 can be the most suitable depending on specific requirements and therefore can also be for example triangular or generally polygonal. A head 7 can in fact be associated with the end 4 of the support 3 and is provided with an advantageously cylindrical polyhedral body, which can be associated selectively and rotatably with the support 3.

The head 7 has a plurality of blades which are arranged, individually or in pairs or in sets of more than two, along two or more generatrices of the head 7.

In the particular embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, the head has four pairs of blades 8, which are arranged along two diametrical planes 1 1 a and l ib and are therefore evenly mutually spaced by approximately 90°. Means for adjusting the angular position of the head with respect to the support are provided and are constituted by a protrusion 9 which protrudes axially from the head 7 and is shaped complementarily to the first seat 6 provided on the end 4 of the support 3.

The shape of the protrusion 9 and of the first seat. 6 and the arrangement of the blades 8 are such that insertion of the protrusion 9 in the

first seat 6 is matched by the arrangement of a pair of blades 8 as shown in Figures 1 and 3, and therefore in a condition which allows the user to shave, the blades 8 being arranged at. right angles to the handle 2 and so that they protrude from the outer lateral surface of the head 7. This protrusion can occur approximately at a shaving plane 13 which is tangent to the outer surface of the head 7 and directly faces the face of the user where shaving is to be performed or is slightly inclined clockwise or anticlockwise with respect to it.

Further, at the handle 2 there is a receptacle or second seat 14, which can be accessed by screwing/unscrewing an appropriate cap 15 which is associated rotatably with a lower end 16 of the handle 2.

The receptacle or second seat has such a shape that it can contain at least one additional head 7.

The razor 1 further has means for the articulation of the support 3, which are constituted for example by an insert 17 made for example of elastically deformable plastic material, which acts as a hinge at an appropriately provided discontinuity 18 formed at. the support 3 in a region which is adjacent to the end 4.

As an alternative, an actual hinge can be provided between the two components, for example therefore of the type used in eyeglasses and accordingly comprising protrusions which are mutually rotatably associated by means of a pivot.

Advantageously, the insert 17 is arranged approximately on the opposite side with respect to the plane 13, so as to allow the head 7 to oscillate when pressure is applied to the face of the user by the pairs of blades 8 during shaving.

Further, on the head 7, at the regions not affected by the blades 8, there are appropriately and intentionally provided inserts or protrusions or recesses 19 which allow the user optimum grip with his fingers. Use is therefore as follows: the user grips the razor at the handle 2

and performs ordinary shaving by arranging the pair of blades 8 against his face, thus achieving shaving, which is facilitated by the presence of the insert 17, which allows the blades to follow the contour of the face.

When the blades need to be replaced, the user simply grips the head at the regions that are not affected by the blades and are provided with the appropriately and intentionally provided inserts or protrusions or recesses 19, simply extracting the protrusion 9 of the head 7 from the first seat 6.

It is then sufficient for the user to turn the head through 90° and reinsert it, placing the protrusion 9 in the first seat 6. By doing so, the head is turned through approximately 90° and repositions at the plane 13 a new pair of blades which have not yet been used.

It has thus been found that the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects, a razor having been provided which allows the user to change quickly and easily the already-used blades with other new ones, this replacement occurring in safe conditions, protecting the fingers against possible contacts with the blades.

Further, the described solution allows to replace the blades by using always the same head several times; once the four pairs of blades have been used fully, replacement of the entire head is facilitated by the fact that a spare head (or refill) is available in the handle.

The invention is of course susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

Thus, for example, Figures 7, 8 and 9 illustrate an embodiment of a razor 101 which again comprises a support 103 with which a polyhedral and preferably cylindrical head 107 is associated so that it can rotate selectively. A first pivot 120, shaped substantially like a frustum with a rounded tip 121 , in fact protrudes from the end 104 of the support 103 and can be positioned selectively at an appropriately provided second seat 122 which is formed axially with respect to the head 107.

The first pivot 120 is internally axially partially hollow, forming a third seat 123 which is a through seat even at the end 104 of the support 103.

A substantially T-shaped slider 124 is slidingly associable within the third seat 23, and a first end 125 thereof is accommodated at an appropriately provided fourth seat 126 which is formed in the support 103 on the opposite side with respect to the surface 105 of the end 104 thereof; the stem 127 of said slider is divided axially into a pair of tabs 128a and 128b, which can be compressed elastically and whose end has such a shape as to form a pair of wedges 129a and 129b, which are mutually opposite and whose vertex is directed away from the surface 105.

Such wedges are arranged in abutment with their flat part directed toward the surface 105 in the condition in which the slider 124 is almost fully inserted within the third seat 123 of the first pivot 120, in appropriately provided first openings 134a and 134b provided in the first pivot 120 and also in second openings 132a, 132b provided in the outer lateral surface of the second seat 122 which is formed axially with respect to the head 107, as shown in Figure 8.

This is a stable condition, since the interaction of the wedges 129a and 129b with the second openings 132a and 132b is ensured by the presence, coaxially with respect to the fourth seat 126, of an annular protrusion 130, which can be compressed elastically and interacts directly with the surface which faces it of the first end 125 of the slider 124, as shown indeed in Figure 8. In this condition, the head 107 is stably associated with the support

103.

Third openings 131 are provided on the lateral surface of the second seat 122 formed axially with respect to the head 107, face each other and are arranged approximately at 90° with respect to the axis of the second openings 132a and 132b.

Starting from the stable condition shown in Figure 8, it is sufficient for the user to compress the first end 125 of the slider 124, so as to force a further insertion of the slider within the third seat 123, this being facilitated by the fact that the ends of the wedges 129a and 129b interact with a complementarity shaped guide 133 which is provided on the first pivot 120 at the second openings 134a, 134b formed in the first pivot 120.

As shown in Figure 9, the activation of the slider 124, which is achieved simply by pushing the first end 125 into the fourth seat 126 by way of the elastic deformation of the annular protrusion 130, entails the mutual approach of the wedges 129a and 129b and therefore their uncoupling from the second openings 132a and 132b formed in the head 107: the head can thus be extracted and turned by the user through 90° so as to activate a series of new blades.

By reinserting the head 107 in the first pivot 120 and releasing the slider 124, the wedges 129a and 129b again affect by abutment both the first openings 134a and 134b and the third openings 131 formed in the head 107.

This embodiment, too, achieves the intended aim and objects.

Figures 10 and 1 1 illustrate another embodiment of a razor 201 , which again comprises a support 203 and a head 207 which is associated therewith so that it can rotate selectively.

A first cylindrical pivot 220 protrudes axially at the surface 205 of the end 204 of the support 203 and has, at or proximate to the connection to the surface 205, an annular recess 235.

The first pivot 220 is accommodated rotatably at a complementarity shaped second seat 222, which is formed axially with respect to the head 207, means being provided in order to keep said head and said first pivot rotatably associated with each other, said head having, at the second seat 222, an annular protrusion 230 which is shaped complementarity with respect to the annular recess 235 and is arranged thereat. This allows to turn the head 207 with respect to the slider 203.

This rotation is selective, since at the surface 205 of the end 204 of the slider 203 there are protrusions 236 which, in the illustrated situation, are four and are arranged in pairs along diametrical planes.

Complementarily shaped fifth seats 237 interact with the protrusions 236 and are formed at the bottom 238 of the head 207, which in the illustrated condition is flat and shaped complementarily with respect to the surface 205.

In this case also, the user, once he has noted the need to change the blades, can turn the head through 90°: by doing so, said head is disengaged temporarily from the first pivot. 220, since the annular protrusion 230 protrudes from the annular recess 235.

It is then sufficient to reposition said annular protrusion in said recess after turning the head through 90° to reposition the protrusions 236 in the fifth seats 237. This embodiment, too, allows to achieve the intended aim and objects.

Figures 12, 13 and 14 illustrate another embodiment of a razor 301, which again comprises a support 303 for a head 307, which is able to oscillate with respect to a plane which corresponds to the plane on which the blades rest against the face of the user thanks to the presence of an appropriately provided second pivot 339, which constitutes a hinge element at a discontinuity 318 provided in said support.

A first pivot 320 protrudes axially from the surface 305 of the end 304 of the support 303, and the head 307 is associated therewith so that, it can rotate selectively.

The first pivot 320 in fact has a substantially cylindrical shape, and proximate to the connection to the surface 305 there is, on its lateral surface, an annular recess 335 at which there is a complementarily shaped annular protrusion 330 which is formed at an inner lateral surface of a second seat 322 which is formed axially with respect to the head 307.

The annular protrusion and said annular recess allow the rotary connection of the head to the support.

The selectivity of the arrangement of the head with respect to the support is achieved by means of two or more appropriately provided pairs of protrusions 336, which protrude externally with respect to the lateral surface of the first pivot 320 and are arranged longitudinally with respect to the first pivot; in the illustrated solution, the protrusions are four and lie on diametrical planes.

Complementarity shaped fifth seats 337 interact with the protrusions 336 and are formed on the inner lateral surface of the second seat 322 which is provided axially with respect to the head 307.

In this case also, therefore, the user, if he wishes to change the blades, can turn the head through 90°, this rotation being allowed by the presence of the annular recess 335 which cooperates with the annular protrusion 330, the selectivity of the arrangement being allowed by the interaction of the protrusions 336 with the fifth seats 337.

This embodiment, too, achieves the intended aim and objects.

The materials used, as well as the dimensions which constitute the individual components of the invention, may of course be more pertinent according to specific requirements.

Thus, the number of blades and their arrangement along the lateral surface of the head may be the most appropriate depending on specific requirements.

The various means for performing certain different functions need not certainly coexist only in the illustrated embodiment but can be present per se in many embodiments, including ones that are not illustrated.

The characteristics indicated as advantageous, convenient or the like may also be omitted or be replaced with equivalents.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. TV2006A000229 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by

reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.