MXPA01002969A

MXPA01002969A - Adapter unit for a shaving razor.

Info

Publication number: MXPA01002969A
Application number: MXPA01002969A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Spiros Gratsias
Original assignee: Tritec Internat Inc
Priority date: 1998-09-24
Filing date: 1998-09-24
Publication date: 2003-05-15
Also published as: EP1115537A1; EP1115537A4; CA2344872C; HK1048086A1; BR9816028A; WO2000016951A1; DE69835377T2; CN1359323A; AU763098B2; CA2344872A1; HK1048086B; ES2267195T3; EP1115537B1; CN1200797C; DE69835377D1; JP2002526220A; AU9578998A

Abstract

There is disclosed a razor cartridge (10 & 30) for use with a razor handle (50) having a handle engagement member (56a & 56b and 58) extending from one end thereof. The razor cartridge comprises a razor blade carrier (30) having a carrier engagement member (36) thereon and an adapter unit (10) having a first side (14b) and a second side (14a). The first side (14b) of the adapter unit (10) has an adapter engagement member (24a & 24b) lockingly mateable with the carrier engagement member (36) with at least one of the adapter engagement member (24a or 24b) and the carrier engagement member (36) being resiliently yieldable, such that the adapter engagement member (24a & 24b) and the carrier engagement member (36) may be snapped into non-detachable engagement with each other. The second side (14a) of the adapter unit (10) has means (16a & 16b) for attachably mating the razor cartridge (10 & 30) with the handle engagement member (56a & 56b).

Description

AN ADAPTER ADAPTER FOR SHAVING RAKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the construction of razor rakes, which an adapter unit provides an interface between the rake blade holder and a rasp handle coupling member. A rake manufacturer > s razors can make razor rakes of a wide variety of designs. In particular, many designs have been developed with respect to the interconnection of the rake leaf carriers' rake handles. In many circumstances, it would be advantageous or for a manufacturer to be able to use rake blade supports and rake handle of various designs together. For example, for manufacturing efficiency purposes, it would be advantageous for a manufacturer to be able to use a rake blade holder as standardized with multiple rastri handle designs or a standardized rake handle with multiple blade support designs. of rastillo. In addition, it would be commercially attractive for a manufacturer to produce a standardized rake handle that would be compatible with several commercially available rake knife support designs. In addition, it would be advantageous for a manufacturer to be able to use the new rastri handle designs or with sheet support designs. other. The second side of the adapter unit has means for securely attaching the rake cartridge to the handle coupling member. Advantageously, with the adapter unit of the present invention, a manufacturer of razor blades can mass-produce a standardized rake blade support for all different models of his razor rakes, and use different adapter units as to adapt the standardized rake blade support for different designs of shaft coupling members. Since economies of large-scale production of standardized rake blade support will typically outweigh the aggregate cost of production of the relatively simple adapter unit of the present invention, a fabricator can reduce its overall manufacturing costs. of different sizes of rakes. The supporting member of the rake cartridge support may comprise one or more hooks, and the adapter coupling member may comprise an elongated projection. Alternatively, the support coupling member may comprise one or more slots and the adapter coupling member may or may not comprise more tabs. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a Rake cartridge is provided for use with a rake handle having a handle coupling member extending from one end of the same. The rake cartridge includes a rake blade holder qu} it has a support coupling member therein, and an adapter unit having a first side and a second side. The first side of the adapter unit has a first adapter coupling member engageable in a closed manner with the support coupling member, with at least one of the first adapter coupling member and the support coupling member which are elastically flexible, so that the first adapter coupling member and the support coupling member can be quickly adjusted in a non-separable coupling with one another. The second side of the adapter unit has a second adapter coupling member pivotally engageable with the handle coupling member, at least one of the second adapter coupling member and the handle coupling member that are elastically flexible, so that the second adapter coupling half and the handle engaging member can be quickly adjusted in pivotable engagement with one another. The supporting member of the rake blade support can comprise one more hooks, and the first adapter coupling member may comprise an elongated projection. Alternatively, the support coupling member may comprise one or more slots, and the first adapter coupling member may comprise one or more tabs. The second adapter coupling member of the The adapter unit may be removable or non-separable from the handle coupling member. In addition, the handle coupling member can comprise a projection with a rounded end and the adapter coupling member can comprise a receptacle for receiving the projection.

Preferably, the receptacle comprises a plurality of elastic nails. In another preferred embodiment, a rastri cartridge is provided for use with a rake handle that includes a handle coupling member extending from one end thereof. The rake cartridge includes a rake blade holder having first and second support coupling members therein. The second half of the support coupling is pivotally engageable with the handle coupling member. The strip cartridge also includes an adapter unit having a first side and a second side, the first side having an adapter coupling member closed in a closed manner with the first support coupling member, with at least one side. u is not the adapter coupling member and the first coupling member of the support that is elastically flexible, so that the adapter coupling member and the first support coupling member can be quickly adjusted in a non-separable coupling. The second side of the adapter unit has an opening for guiding the handle coupling member in pivotable coupling with the second member of ac < support ip. The first support coupling member may comprise one or more hooks J S and the adapter coupling member may comprise an elongated projection. In addition, the first support coupler member may comprise one or more slots and the adapter coupling member may comprise one or more len Quetas. Preferably, the opening comprises internal walls to the used one. In each of the above described methods, the rake handle may have a centrally projecting tab and the adapter unit may have a receptacle for loosely receiving the tab, d so that when the handle and the adapter unit engage, the central projection tab, and the receptacle cooperate to limit the range of pivoting of the handle with respect to the rake. The adapter unit of the present invention can advantageously be a piece of injection molded plastic. According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing rake cartridges for use with a first rake handle and a rake handle is provided. second handle of rastri llo. The method includes the steps of manufacturing first and second substantially identical rake blade supports having first and second support coupling members substantially identical therein, respectively; make a first adapter unit to have two sides as a first side having a first adapter coupling member engageable with the first support coupling member, with at least one of the first adapter coupling member and the first support coupling member which is elastically flexible and, a second side having means for fixedly coupling the first rake blade holder with the first rake handle and; making a second adapter unit having two sides, a first side that extends a second adapter coupling member engageable with the second support coupling member, with at least one of the second adapter coupling member and the second one Support coupling mb that is elastically flexible, yu? The second side having means for fixedly coupling the second rake blade holder with the second rake handle. Di i preferable way, the method also includes the steps of forming a first rake cartridge for use with the first rake handle by coupling the first adapter unit to the first rake blade support through the elastically flexible cooperation of the first rake coupling member. With the first support coupling member and fo rm a second rake cartridge for use with the second rake handle by coupling the second adapter unit with the second rake blade support through the co operation elastically flexible of the second coupling member of the adapter with the second support coupling member.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a method of manufacturing a rake handle for use with a first rake blade support and a second blade support. The first rake blade holder has a first support coupling member therein, and a second rake blade holder has a second support coupling member therein. First, the method includes the step of fricating first and second handle substantially substantially identical that they have first and second coupling member of substantially identical handles therein, respectively, Secondly the method includes the step of manufacturing a first adapter unit having two sides, a first side having a first adapter coupling member engageable with the first handle coupling member, with at least one of the first adapter coupling member and the first member of the coupling member. handle coupling which is elastically flexible, and a second side having a second coupling member d adapter engageable with the first support coupling member, with at least one of the second coupling member < adapter and the first support coupling member which is elastically flexible. Third, the method includes the lid of making a second adapter unit having two ladles, a first side having a third adapter coupling member engageable with the second m-hose coupling member, with at least one from the third adapter coupling member and second handle coupling member which is elastically flexible, and a second side having a fourth adapter coupling member engageable with the second support coupling member, with at least one of the fourth member of adapter coupling and the second support coupling member that is elastically flexible. Preferably, the method also includes the steps of coupling the first adapter body with the first rake handle through the elastically flexible co-operation of the first adapter coupling member with the first handle coupling member and coupling the second unit. adapter with the second handle through the elastically flexible co-operation of the adapter coupling member with the second handle coupling member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures 1 and 2 are isometric views of an adapter unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figures 3 and 4 are isometric displaced s of a shaving rake including the adapter unit according to the preferred embodiment of Figures 1 and 2; Figures 5 and 6 are isometric views of the razor rake of Figures 3 and 4 with the rake blade support, the unit adapter and the coupling handle; Figures 7 and 8 are isometric views of an adapter unit according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 9 is a displaced isometric view of a shaving rake including the adapter unit according to a preferred embodiment of Figs. 7 and 8; Fig. 10 is an isometric view of the razor rake of Fig. 9 with the rake blade holder, the adapter unit and the handle engaged; Figures 11 and 12 show displaced side views of a shaving rake including the adapter unit according to the preferred embodiment of Figures 7 and 8; Figures 13 and 14 sc are isometric views of an adapter unit according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 15 is a displaced isometric view of a shaving rake including the adapter unit according to a preferred embodiment of Figures 13 and 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figures 1 and 2 show isometric views of an adapter unit 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The adapter unit 10 includes a base from the upper side 14b and that move perpendicular to the longitudinal edges of the upper side 14b. Figures 3 to 6 show isometric views of a shaving rake including a standardized rake blade support 30, the adapter unit 10 of the; FIGS. 1 and 2 and the rake handle end 50. In FIGS. 1 and 4, the shaving rake is shown before engagement of the rake blade coupling 30, the adapter unit 10 and the rake handle end 50. In Figures 5 and 6, the shaving rake if shown with the rake blade holder 30, the adapter unit 10 and the handle end 50 coupled together. As shown in these figures, the rake blade holder 30 is a generally elongate rectangular structure. The elongation axis is parallel to the cutting edge of the rake blade or leaves contained in the rake blade holder (sheets not shown). The rake blade holder 30 may include any of the sheet, protector and lid features that are well known in the art (not shown). Referring to Figure 3, the rake hinge holder 30 includes a lower base 32 with an elastic nozzle 44 formed around it. At the center of the base 32, a plateau-like projection 34 extends from the base 32. The plateau-like projection 34 is formed to fit the projections 28a and 28b of the adapter unit in re. On either side of the projection similar to plateau 34, a pair of rake blade 30. The adapter unit 10 is then pivoted about the longitudinal edge on which the tabs 24a and 24b are located until the elongated projection 22 makes contact with the hook 36. Pressure is then exerted on the adapter unit. 10 so that, by camming the elongated projection 22 on the hooks 36, the hooks 36 and the nozzle 44 are pushed outwards. After the elongate projection 22 has pulled the hooks 36, the hooks 36 and the nozzle 44 return to their original positions, thereby testing the adapter unit 10 within the rake blade holder 30 and thus forming a rake cartridge. During this procedure,; The plateau-like projection 34 of the rake blade support 3 0 cooperates with the projections 28a and 28b of the adapter unit 10 to guide and stabilize the adapter unit 10 in position. It is noted that once the adapter unit 10 is engaged with the rake blade holder 30, the adapter unit 10 allows the rake cartridge formed in this manner to be coupled to the mongrel end 50 by rapid adjustment in the spherical-like projections 56a and 56b of the handle end 50 in the spherical cavities 2a and 26b formed by the groups of elastic nails 16a and 16b, respectively, of the adapter unit 10. Once attached, the similar p rojections to spheres 56a and 56b and the nail groups 16a and 16b of the nails form a pair of ball joints. In addition, the tab 58 of the end of handle 50 fits within the receptacle 18 of the adapter unit 10, with the T-shape of the tab 58 cooperating with the notch 20 of the receptacle 18 for guiding the rake handle end 50 into the adapter unit 10 in the correct direction to shave. Preferably, the receptacle 18 is slightly wider than the tongue 58 leaving space for play between the tongue 58 and the receptacle 18 so that the rake cartridge, consisting of a rake blade holder 30 and the unit adapter 10, can be pivoted on the ball joints. The play between the receptacle 18 and the tab 58 determines the pivoting range of the rake cartridge. Figures 7 and 8 show somatic views of an adapter unit 110 according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The adapter unit 110 includes a generally rectangular base and the argada 112 having a lower side 114a and an upper side 114b. With reference to FIG. 7, the underside 114a includes two pairs of resilient nails 116a and 116b positioned at opposite ends of the longitudinal axis of the base 112. Each pair of resilient nails 116a and 116b are adapted to receive a shape structure. cylindrical The inferred side 114a also includes a central receptacle 118. The central receptacle 118 includes a sample 120 that moves perpendicular to the bottom side piece 114a. With reference to Figure 8, the upper side 114b of the adapter unit 110 includes projections extending outwardly. from its longitudinal edges is. Moving along the length of a longitudinal edge, an elongated projection 122 is placed on the upper side 114b. On the opposite longitudinal edge, a pair of projections of projection tabs 124a and 124b are placed, the upper part 114b also includes a pair of projections 128a and 128b extending from the upper side 114b and extending perpendicular to the edges. longitudinals of the upper side r 114b. FIG. 9 and 10 show displaced and assembled isometric views, respectively, of a shaving rake including the standardized rake blade support 30 previously described with respect to mode 3 of FIGS. 3 to 6, the adapter unit of the Figures 7 and 8 and one end of rake handle 150. Figures 11 and 12 show side views displaced from the same razor. As shown in Figures 9 to 12, the handle end 150 is bifurcated into two brackets 154a and 154b which have a V shape. The two arms 154a '154b are joined at their outer ends by a bridge portion. 162. Arms 154a and 154b include recesses 160 i and 160b, respectively, at their ends. The recesses 160a and 160b include therein cylindrical portions 156a and 156b respectively. The bridge portion 162 includes a central projection tongue 158, which is T-shaped in cross section. It will be seen that the projections on the upper side 114b of the adapter unit 110 are similar to those of adapter unit 10 of figures I to 6. Therefore, adapter unit 110 is coupled to standardized rake blade holder 30 in the same manner as described with respect to the unit. adapter 10 to thereby form a rake cartridge, The end of the handle 150 is coupled to the adapter unit 110 by press fitting the rounded portions 156a and 156b into two pairs of nails 116a and 116b respectively. As in the foregoing embodiment of the present invention, the tab 158 fits within the receptacle 118, with the T-shape of the tab 158 cooperating with the sample 120 of the receptacle 118 to guide the end of the handle 150 into the receptacle. the adapter unit 110 in the correct orientation for shaving. Preferably, the receptacle 118 is slightly lighter than the tab 158 leaving clearance for play between the tab 158 and the receptacle 118 so that the rake cartridge can be pivoted about the cylindrical portions 160a and 160b, The play between the receptacle 118 and the tongue 158 determines the pivot range of the rake cartridge formed by the adapter unit 110 and the rake blade holder 30, Figures 13 and 14 show the isometric views of an adapter unit 210 according to the invention. with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. The adapter unit 210 includes a generally rectangular and open base 212 having a lower side 214a and an upper side 214b With reference to Figure 13, the underside 214a includes a pair of guide structures 2 '6a and 216b positioned on opposite axes of the longitudinal axis of the base 212. The guide structures 216a and 216b are generally rectangular structures with central openings 226a and 226b respectively and internal walls that are tapering towards the central openings. The lower side 214a also contains a pair of tapered projections extending 215a and 215b, located between the guiding structures 216a and 216b. With reference to FIG. 14, the upper side 214b includes projections extending outwardly from its longitudinal edges. Extending outward along a longitudinal edge of the upper side 214b, a pair of elongated projections 222a and 222 are placed. At the opposite longitudinal edge, a pair of projection flaps 224a and 224b are positioned on the upper side 214b . The upper side 214b also includes a pair of projections 228a and 228b which are obtained therefrom and move perpendicular to the longitudinal edges of the upper side 214b. Figure 15 shows a isometric view of a shaving rake including the standardized rake blade support 30, the adapter unit 210 of Figures 14 and 15, a rake handle end 250. In Figure 15, the unit adapter 210 is shown mated with the rake blade holder 30. The attachment shape of the adapter unit 210 with the rake blade holder 30 is the same as described for the two embodiments The adapter unit 210 and the standardized rake blade support 30 are coupled, the central openings 226a and 2 26 b are aligned over the openings of the cylindrical arrows 42a and 42b (see figures). 3 and 4), respectively, on the internal frames of support structure 40a and 40b of the standardized rake blade support 30. The rake handle end 250 includes a main cover 255 and, extending e from one end of the cover main 255, two arm members 254a and 254b and a central spring loaded tab 258. Extending from the sides of main cover 255 are buttons 253a and 253b, which are operatively coupled to arm members 254a and 254b , in a manner well known in the art, to allow the arm members to move toward each other toward each other. The arm members 254a and 254b are normally clamped under spring tension from each other by a distance determined by the main cover 255. The members of brazi 254a and 254b contain rounded pins extending outward 256a and 256b, respectively, which d end a pivot axis for the handle end 250. The dimension s of the rounded pins 256a and 256b are such that they fit within the cylindrical arrows 42a and 42b of the standardized leaf holder 30, allowing that the rake cartridge formed by the standardized rake blade holder 30 and the adapter unit 210 pivot with with respect to the handle end 250. In order to couple the rake cartridge with the handle end 250, the arm members 254a and 254b are pushed into the structures within the guide structures 216a and 216b of the adapter unit 210. Conf. the arm members 254a and 254b are pushed into the guide structures 216a and 216b the tapered walls of the guide structures 216a and 216b guide the rounded pins 256a and 256b within the openings of the cylindrical arrows 42a and 42b (see figures 3 and 4) of rake blade support 30 respectively. Once the end of the handle 250 and the rake cartridge are engaged, the tongue c to the central spring 258 cooperates with the lower side 214a of the adapter unit 210 to bias the rake cartridge to a neutral rest position. When the rake cartridge is pivoted, the camming action of the central tongue 258 against the lower side 214a compresses the central tongue loaded to the spring 258 inside the main cover 255. When the forces on the rake blade support 30 are released, the compressed restrained central tab 258 acts in reverse against the lower side 214a to return the rake cartridge to the original rest position. During the pivoting movement, the projections 215a and 215b prevent the middle tab 258 from moving from side to side. Preferably, the adapter powers of the present invention are composed of plastic and are produced by Other configurations may be used. Therefore, the preferred embodiments described and illustrated are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

RE VI N DICACIONES

1 . A rake cartridge for use with a rake handle that has an ac member. handle structure extending from one end thereof, comprising: a rake blade support having a support coupling member at the same point; and an adapter unit having a first side and a second side, the first side having a mating coupling adapter coupling member closed with the support coupling member, with at least one of the coupling member of the coupling member. adapter and < The support coupling member is elastically flexible, so that the adapter coupling member and the support coupling member can be adjusted in a non-separable coupling with each other, and the second side having a means of releasing the coupling member. to securely attach the rake cartridge to the handle coupling member.

2. The rake cartridge or in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the support coupling member comprises one or more hooks and the adapter coupling member comprises an elongated projection.

3. The rake cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling member of the support comprises one or more groove s, and the coupling member of it comprises a projection similar to the sphere, and the second adapter coupling member comprises a receptacle, whereby when the handle coupling member and the second adapter coupling member engage, the sphere-like projection and the receptacle form a pivotable ball joint. 12. The rastri cartridge according to claim 1 characterized in that the receptacle comprises a plurality of elastic nails. 13. The rake cartridge for use with a rake handle having a handle member extending from one end thereof, which comprises; a strut sheet support having a first support coupling member and a second support coupling member therein, the se < jundo support coupling member which is engageable d < > pivotal manner with the handle coupling member; and an adapter unit on a first side and on a second side, the first side having a mating adapter coupled coupling member closed with the first support coupling member, at least one of the member adapter coupling and the coupling member of the support coupling which is elastically flexible, so that the coupling member of the adapter and the first coupling member of the support can be adjusted in a non-separable coupling one with the other, and the second side that opens an opening for guiding the handle coupling member in pivotable engagement with the second support coupling member. 1

4. The rake cartridge or in accordance with the claim 13, characterized in that the first support coupling member comprises one or more hooks and the adapter coupling member comprises an elongated projection, 1

5. The rake cartridge or in accordance with claim 13, characterized in that the first coupling member of support comprises one or more slots, and the adapter coupling member comprises one or more tabs. 1

6. The rastri cartridge or according to claim 13, characterized in that the opening comprises tapered internal walls. 1

7. The rake cartridge or in accordance with claim 1, 4, or 13, characterized in that the handle has a central projection tab and the adapter unit has a receptacle for loosely receiving the tab, so that When the handle and the adapter unit engage, the central projection tab and the receptacle cooperate to limit the pivoting range of said handle with respect to the rake assembly. 1

8. The rake cartridge or according to claim 1, 4, or 13, characterized in that the adapter unit is a piece of plastic. firmly attach the second rake blade holder to the second rake handle. twenty-one . The confounding method with claim 20, further comprising the steps of forming a first scratch cartridge for use with the pr | mer rake handle by coupling the first adapter unit with the first rake blade support through the elastically flexible cooperation of the first adapter coupling member with the first support coupling member; and forming a second rake cartridge for use with the second rake handle by coupling the second adapter unit with the second rake blade support through the elastically flexible cooperation of the second adapter coupling member with the second member of support coupling. 22. A method of manufacturing < ation of rake handles for use with a first rake blade holder and a second rake blade holder, the first rake blade holder having a first support attaching member therein and the second i-blade blade holder having a second support coupling member therein, the first support coupling member being different from the second support coupling member, the method comprising: manufacturing first and second handles of substantially identical rakes which have first and second handle coupling members substantially identical therein, adapter coupling with the first handle coupling member; and coupling the second adapter unit with the second handle through the elastically flexible cooperation of the third adapter coupling member with the second handle coupling member. 24. An adapter unit for fixedly attaching a rake blade support and a rake handle, the rake blade holder having a support coupling member therein and the rake handle having a member of handle coupling extending from one end thereof, the adapter unit qi e comprises; a base having a first side and a second side, the first side having a dockable mating adapter coupling member closed with the support coupling member, with at least one of the adapter coupling member and The support coupling member is elastically resilient, so that the adapter coupling member and the support coupling member can be adjusted in a non-separable coupling with each other, and the second side having means for coupling with the coupling member. fixed way the rake blade holder with the handle coupling member. RESU M IN OF THE INVENTION A rake cartridge is described for use with a rake handle having a handle coupling member extending from one end thereof. The rake cartridge comprises a rake leaf holder having a support coupling member therein and an adapter unit having a first side and a second side. The first side of the adapter unit has an adapter coupling member that engages in a locked manner with the same coupling member of the support with at least one of the adapter coupling member and the support coupling member that is elastically flexible, of It should be noted that the adapter coupling member and the coupling member can be adjusted in non-detachable engagement with the hub. The second side of the adapter unit has means for releasably engaging the rake cartridge with the coupling sleeve of the handle.