This invention relates to safety razors of the type in which a thin flexible blade is clamped between cooperating blade-shaping and blade supporting members and maintained by them in a position of transverse curvature for shaving. The invention comprises a novel razor construction in which the relative position of such members is controlled more accurately, positively and with greater convenience to the user than in razors of this type heretofore known.

It will be appreciated that in replacing a used blade or removing a blade for purposes of cleaning, it is desirable to separate the blade-shaping members quickly and completely so that the blade may be reached and withdrawn without obstruction or danger of cutting the fingers. It is equally important to expose fully the blade-receiving face of that member of the razor upon which the new blade is placed preparatory to shaving so that the user may conveniently locate the blade upon studs or other means provided for that purpose.

In the novel razor of my invention the desired results are secured by employing a cap member which comprises cooperating sections separately pivoted to a blade-supporting member and arranged to swing from a superposed blade-clamping position to an inoperative position in which the face of the blade supporting member is entirely exposed. Attempts have been made heretofore to utilize such sectional cap members in safety razor construction, but no satisfactory mechanism has ever been available for controlling their position and moving them positively and quickly from blade-clamping to blade releasing position and vice versa. My invention contemplates as a novel feature a rotatable actuating member, which may be a part of the handle construction if desired, and which has positively acting operating connections with the cap sections constructed and arranged to move them simultaneously and equally in opposite direction and positively to control them in all positions.

My invention contemplates a novel form of operating mechanism for positioning the sections of cooperating blade shaping and clamping members in the manner above outlined. To this end, an important feature of this invention comprises a worm arranged to mesh directly with portions of both cap sections, for example, each cap section may be formed with a portion which constitutes in effect a worm gear and these portions may be oppositely arranged so that an interposed worm may mesh directly with both of them. Under such conditions a positive operating connection is established and, moreover, one which is non-reversible in its action; that is to say, the cap sections are positively locked in all positions against any force tending to displace them. Any convenient means may be employed for rotating the worm, but as herein shown, I prefer to incorporate it as a part of the handle of the razor, extending its hub to form an actuating sleeve. This is a particularly convenient construction for the user and from the mechanical standpoint has all the advantages of direct and rapid action without lost motion or excessive friction.

As a further feature of my invention I preferably form each cap section with or connect it to a spindle and so locate the spindle that a portion thereof may supply guard teeth for the razor. The guard teeth swing with the spindle and are properly positioned with respect to the shaving edge of the blade when the latter is clamped in shaving position. These spindles also offer convenient means in which to form the worm teeth which mesh with the worm for swinging the cap sections in the manner already described.

These and other features of the invention will be best understood and appreciated from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawing, in which,—

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of the razor in condition for shaving.

Fig. 2 is a view in end elevation showing the razor in the same condition.

Fig. 3 is a view in end elevation showing the razor in its open or blade-receiving position.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the razor in open condition, portions of the blade being broken away.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view showing the guard in longitudinal section.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view on the line 6—6 of Fig. 5 and

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the razor in the condition shown in Fig. 3.

The blade-supporting member 10 of the razor herein shown is provided with a blade-receiving face which is bounded by two parallel longitudinally extending shoulders over which the flexible blade is flexed by the cap. Projecting from the blade-receiving face of the blade-supporting member is a pair of blade-locating studs 12 herein shown as being of diamond-shaped contour. At each of its corners the blade supporting member 10 is provided with a transversely and outwardly extending bearing arm 14 and extending between each pair of these arms and along the longitudinal side of the blade-supporting member is a rotatable spindle 16. Each spindle is journaled upon a pair of pivot pins 18 projecting through the bearing arms 14 of the blade-supporting member. Each spindle 16 is provided midway between its ends with worm teeth 20 and the outer portion of the periphery of each spindle is grooved to provide guard teeth 22 of the character commonly employed in safety razors of this general type.

The cap member of the razor herein shown comprises two cap sections 24 symmetrically shaped and together providing a concave blade-engaging face which cooperates with the blade-shaping face of the blade-supporting member to flex the blade and maintain it in a condition of pronounced transverse curvature. Each cap section is provided in its face with spaced recesses 26 which register with each other when the sections are closed and provide clearance for the studs 12 of the blade supporting member. The cap sections 24 are provided with an arm 28 at each end by which it is connected with one of the spindles 16. Preferably the cap and spindle are formed integrally, but in any case the cap section 24 and spindle 16 will form a rigid assembly, the body of the cap section being spaced from the spindle by its arms 28, thus providing an elongated opening for the passage of the edge of the blade, as will presently be explained. As herein shown the arms 28 of the cap section 24 embrace the ends of the spindle 16, being interposed between it and the bearing arms 14 of the guard.

In Fig. 4 is shown one form of blade 30 suitable for use in the razor of my invention. This is sharpened upon its opposite edges and provided with a recess at each corner affording clearance for the arms 28 of the cap section. It is provided with a blade locating aperture, comprising an elongated slot having spaced enlargements which fit upon the blade locating studs 12 of the blade-supporting member. The blade, is normally flat as shown in Figs. 3 and 7 and is adapted to be transversely flexed and maintained in such position as shown in Figs. 2 and 6.

In the razor herein shown a rotatable element preferably forming a part of the handle is employed to move the cap section from clamping to blade-receiving position and to positively control their position at all times. This mechanism will now be described. The handle comprises a stationary stem or spindle 32 which is riveted or otherwise rigidly connected to the blade-supporting member 10. At its outer end the stem 32 is enlarged to form a solid knurled barrel 34. Journaled upon the spindle 32 is a knurled actuating sleeve 36 and this is provided at its upper end with a worm 38 of relatively large diameter which meshes directly with the worm teeth 20 of the spaced spindles 16. It will be noted that the worm 38 is interposed directly between the two spindles 16 and that in effect its hub is extended to form the sleeve 36 by which the worm may be conveniently turned. Both spindles 16 are thus positively locked by their connection with the worm and may be moved into blade clamping position by a non-reversible operating connection. This is important because the clamping action of the cap sections is effected against the tension of the blade 30. Accordingly, if the operating conection were not non-reversible, the tension of the blade would tend to swing the cap sections and loosen their engagement with the blade. The movement imparted to the spindle 16 by the worm 38 is equal in extent and opposite in direction and simultaneous in timing.

In using the illustrated razor the actuating sleeve 36 will first be turned by the operator to rotate the spindle 16 and swing the cap sections 24 into their open or blade-receiving position as shown in Fig. 7. In this position the blade-receiving face of the blade-supporting member 10 is completely exposed and the user may conveniently place the blade 30 thereon without obstruction or interference of any kind. The blade is accurately located on the blade-supporting member by the blade-locating studs 12 as already explained. The user then turns the actuating sleeve 36 rotating the worm 38 in the direction to rock the spindle 16 and swing the cap section 24 simultaneously inwardly from the position shown in Figs. 3 and 7 to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 6. In this movement the outer or blade engaging edges of the cap section are carried over the sharpened edges of the blade without contacting therewith or tending in any way to dull them. As the inward swinging movement of the cap section continues the blade is engaged along lines adjacent to but within its cutting edges and it is flexed over the fulcrum shoulders of the blade supporting member, its edges being disposed in the proper shaving relation to the guard teeth 22 formed in the spindle. The clamping pressure of the cap section and consequently the degree of exposure of the edges of the blade may be regulated by tightening or loosening the actuating sleeve 36. When the actuating sleeve 36 is turned to the limit of its movement the cap sections 24 are drawn down to their extreme clamping position and maximum curvature is imparted to the blade, a condition which corresponds to minimum edge exposure. On the other hand by backing off the operating sleeve 36 slightly the clamping pressure of the cap sections 24 may be relieved and the blade permitted to straighten, thus increasing its edge exposure. It should be observed that in all positions of adjustment the cap sections are positively locked and prevented from slipping or from being displaced in either direction, on account of their worm and gear connection with the actuating sleeve 36.

It will be observed also that the guard teeth 22 on the spindles are carried into an inoperative position when the spindles are rocked to open the cap section 24, but when the spindles are rocked in the opposite direction to position the cap sections in blade clamping position and the razor is thus made ready for use, the portion of the spindle having the guard teeth is brought back to operative position where the guard teeth are effective in the shaving operation.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is :—

1. A safety razor comprising a member having a blade-supporting face bounded by parallel shoulders and adapted to support a flexible and resilient blade with its edges overhanging said shoulders, cap sections pivotally mounted upon said member and having concave blade-engaging faces shaped to flex the blade resiliently over said member, and a gear connection between said cap sections maintaining them positively in blade flexing position.

2. A safety razor comprising blade-supporting and shaping members having co-operating blade-engaging faces, one of said members comprising separate sections pivotally mounted on the other for movement to and from positions superposed with respect thereto, and a rotatable handle element having direct operating connections with said sections for moving them in the manner described.

3. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member, a cap section pivotally connected to said member adjacent to each of its edges, and a rotatable handle element connected to both cap sections for swinging them simultaneously toward or from said member.

4. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member shaped to support a flexible blade, cap sections mounted at opposite edges of said member to swing to and from blade-clamping position above said member, and a rotatable handle element connected to both cap sections for simultaneously moving them in the manner described.

5. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member having a blade-receiving face, co-operating cap sections mounted upon said member for movement from contiguous positions above said face to spaced positions in which said face is uncovered, and a handle having an actuating member which has a rotary operating connection with the cap sections.

6. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member having a blade-receiving face, co-operating cap sections mounted upon said member for movement to and from position in superposed relation thereto, and a rotatable handle element positively connected to said cap sections for simultaneously moving them in the manner described.

7. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member, cap sections pivotally mounted adjacent to the opposite edges of said member to swing to and from positions in superposed relation thereto, and a rotatable handle element having a worm meshing with said cap sections and positively controlling their position at all times.

8. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member having a longitudinally disposed shaft journaled therein adjacent to each edge, a cap section attached to each shaft, and a rotatable handle element connected to both shafts for turning the same to swing the cap sections toward or from clamping position on said member.

9. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member, a handle projecting therefrom and including a rotatable member provided with a worm, cap sections pivotally connected to the opposite edges of said member and each having a portion containing gear teeth which are arranged to mesh with said worm.

10. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member, a toothed spindle journaled in said member adjacent to each edge, a cap section associated with each spindle, and a handle including a rotatable worm meshing with both spindles.

11. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member, spaced spindles journaled in said member, a worm interposed between the spindles and having geared connections with both spindles and having an extended hub by which it may be manually turned to rock said spindles, and cap sections connected to and movable with said spindles.

12. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member, cap sections pivotally mounted upon said member at either side thereof, and a rotatable actuating device having non-reversible operating connection with both cap sections.

13. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member, cap sections pivotally mounted upon said member at either side thereof, and a rotatable actuating device for simultaneously swinging both cap sections toward said member constructed and arranged to hold them positively locked in all positions they may occupy.

14. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member, rotatable spindles mounted therein in spaced parallel relation and having gear teeth formed therein at opposite points, a worm interposed between said spindles, directly meshing with the gear teeth thereof and disposed with its axis at right angles to the plane of the axes of the spindles, means for rotating the worm to rock the spindles, and cap sections carried by the spindles.

15. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member, rotatable spindles mounted at opposite edges of said member and having guard teeth extending along a portion of their periphery, cap sections connected to said spindles, and means for rocking the spindles to position the cap sections and the guard teeth simultaneously in operative position.

16. A safety razor comprising blade-supporting members, one of which has co-operating sections, each rigidly connected with a spindle, gear teeth formed in the spindles and guard teeth extending along one side of each spindle, and a worm meshing with the gear teeth of both spindles simultaneously and serving positively to position the spindles with the guard teeth in operative position.

17. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member, cap sections pivotally connected thereto, each section being formed with a portion constituting worm gear teeth, a worm meshing upon opposite sides with the worm gear portions of both cap sections, and manually operated means for rotating the worm.

18. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member having a blade-engaging face and an oppositely projecting stem, cap sections pivotally mounted at opposite sides of said member and having portions extending below the blade-engaging face of said member and formed as gear teeth, said member being provided in its under side with a recess, and a worm located therein, and arranged to mesh with the gear teeth of both sections.

19. In a safety razor, a cap comprising separate, relatively movable, co-operating sections each formed with guard teeth thereon.

20. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member, cap sections pivotally mounted in each longitudinal edge thereof, and a handle member rotatable about an axis disposed at right angles to the blade-supporting face of said member and having direct operating connections with both cap sections for swinging them to and from blade-clamping position.

21. A safety razor comprising a member having a blade-supporting face, an elongated cap section pivotally mounted at each edge of said member and arranged to swing into superposed blade-clamping position thereon, and a rotatable handle member associated with said member and having operating connections with both cap sections for swinging them into and holding them in blade-clamping position.

22. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member, co-operating cap sections each having a spindle mounted at one edge of said member and arranged to turn as its associated cap section is swung toward or from blade-shaping position above the blade-supporting member, and a rotatable handle member having positive operating connections with both spindles for turning the same.

23. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member, a flexible blade thereon, a spindle journaled at each edge of said member below said blade, a cap section connected to each spindle adjacent to the opposite ends thereof and shaped to swing to and from blade-shaping position above said blade, and a handle member having operating connections with both spindles at an intermediate location for turning them to position the cap sections.

24. A safety razor comprising oppositely disposed members shaped to hold a flexible blade between them in a condition of transverse curvature, one of said members comprising two separate curved sections pivotally mounted respectively upon the outer edges of the other, and a rotatable handle member having operating connections with both sections for swinging them to and from blade-shaping position.

Joseph Muros.