The present invention relates to safety razors and the primary object of the invention is to provide an improved safety razor having a free floating blade carrying head whereby the blade is permitted to automatically follow the curvatures of the face, as well as yield with a shock absorbing action for cushioning the shave.

A further object of the invention is to provide a safety razor embodying a construction permitting limited yielding of the head in directions both rotatable and toward and away from the handle portion with respect to the normal position of the head.

A further object of the invention is to provide a safety razor having a head connected to its handle by yieldable coupling means permitting the head to yield axially of the handle.

A further object resides in the specific formation of the head and blade permitting easier shaving around one's nose.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of the improved safety razor and showing the blade and blade clamp detached from the head.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section thru the safety razor.

Figure 3 is an end view of the razor and showing by dotted lines the manner in which the head may yield in the handle portion.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the blank from which the blade clamp is formed.

Referring to the drawing in detail and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts thruout the several views, the improved safety razor comprises a hollow handle portion A embodying a tubular casing 5 which may be externally knurled as shown and may or may not be provided with the longitudinal slots 6 which terminate short of the ends of the casing. The slots 6 if provided will form a better grip for preventing rotation of the casing during use of the razor, altho the knurling may be sufficient to prevent rotation of the casing in one's hand.

Rigidly secured in the rear end of the tubular casing 5 is a plug 7 provided with a circular bore 8 arranged co-axially of the casing. Rigidly secured in the forward end of the casing 5 is a guide bushing 9 having an axially disposed bore 10 preferably of slightly larger diameter than the bore 8 and axially aligning therewith. Extended axially thru the casing 5 is a cylindrical stem 12 the inner end of which is axially slidable and rotatable in the circular bore 8 of the plug 7. Affixed to the stem 12 is a sleeve 14 having sliding and rotary movement in the bore 10 of the guide bushing 9 and this sleeve has its inner end projecting inwardly beyond the inner end of the guide bushing as clearly shown in Figure 2 to provide a coupling portion 14′ at the inner end of the sleeve. Thus it will be noted that the stem 12 may rotate and also move longitudinally within the hollow handle portion.

Encircling the stem 12 in the tubular casing 5 is a coil spring 15 providing a yieldable coupling between the handle portion and the cylindrical stem 12. The forward end of this spring 15 is connected to the sleeve coupling portion 14′, while the rear end of the spring is connected to the reduced coupling portion 7′ provided at the inner end of the plug 7. Figure 2 shows in full lines the normal position of the stem 12 within the casing 5 and it will be noted that in this normal position of the stem 12, the convolutions of the spring 15 are slightly spaced apart permitting rearward yielding of the stem by compressing the spring. The outer end of the spring 15 is coupled to the sleeve 14 in a manner permitting outward yielding of the stem 12 thru extension of the spring. The ends of the coil spring 15 are rigidly connected to the coupling portions 7′ and 14′ so that the stem 12 is placed under a rotary tension when rotated in either direction from its normal position as held by the spring 15.

The projecting end or shank portion 16 of the stem 12 is preferably slightly offset at its end as at 17 and connects with the rear face of an elongated head plate 18 at a point midway between the ends thereof. This head plate 18 as will be observed more clearly in Figure 2 is angularly offset with respect to the stem 12. The front or forward edge of the head plate 18 is provided thruout its length with a series of guard teeth 19 and the rear or back edge of the plate is arcuately notched out as at 20 at a point midway the ends of the plate. The rear or back edge of the head plate is cut away on arcs at each side of the central notch 20 as at 21 to form relatively narrow end portions at each end of the head plate.

The flat single edge blade 22 for engaging upon the flat front face of the head plate 18 has its cutting edge 23 of a length slightly less than the length of the head plate. The central portion 24 of the blade 20 has a straight rear or back edge 25 which extends parallel to the cutting edge 23 and at each end of the central portion 24 the rear portion of the blade is cut away on arcs as at 26 to provide relatively narrow blade portions at each end of the blade. These arcs 26 conform to the arcs 21 of the head plate 18 and are adapted to align therewith so that the cutting edge of the blade is disposed slightly behind the ends of the guard teeth or fingers 19.

The blade clamp 30 for removably holding the blade 22 in a rigid position upon the head plate 18, has a configuration in plan substantially conforming to the configuration of the blade and head plate. The blade clamp 30 may be struck from a single sheet of spring metal having a formation in blank as shown in Figure 4. The clamp 30 is formed with a flat clamping plate 31 having a straight front edge 32 extending thruout its length, and a straight rear edge 33 from each end of which the clamping plate is cut out on arcs as at 34 to provide relatively narrow end portions at each end of the clamping plate having a width slightly less than the width of the reduced end of the blade 22. Bent to extend forwardly in spaced relation over the rear face of the clamping plate 31 just beyond each end of the straight rear edge 33 are clamping fingers 35 for yieldably engaging the rear face of the head plate 18 at opposite sides of the notched out portion 20. Downturned from the straight rear edge 33 of the clamping plate is a shallow stop flange 36 against which the straight rear edge 25 of the blade 22 abuts. This downturned stop flange 36 as will be observed in Figure 2 has a width substantially equal to the thickness of the blade 22. Downturned along each arcuate edge 34 of the blade clamp are flanges 37 which have a depth preferably equal to the combined thicknesses of the blade 22 and head plate 18, and these flanges 37 form abutments for the arcuate edges 26 of the blade. The arcuate flanges 37 have the clamping fingers 35 extending forwardly from the lower edges thereof, and these arcuate flanges also assist in guiding the blade into a properly centered position longitudinally of the blade clamp and also prevent longitudinal shifting of the blade when clamped upon the head plate. The specific end formations of the head plate, blade and blade clamp, whereby relative narrow ends are formed, not only facilitate shaving around one's nose but also provide for better sight at the ends of the blade during use.

In use of the safety razor it will be noted that due to the yieldable coupling between the stem 12 and handle portion A, that the blade carrying head plate has a free floating movement and is permitted to yield in directions axially of the handle portion as well as rotate therein. Referring particularly to Figure 2 it will be seen that the head plate may move away from the handle portion by extending the coil spring 15. Due to the convolutions of the coil spring 15 being normally spaced apart when the spring is not under any tension, the head plate may move toward the handle portion by compressing the coil spring. Outward limited movement of the stem 12 is provided by engagement of the coil spring with the inner end of the guide bushing 9, while inward movement of the stem will be limited by contacting of the convolutions of the coil spring. The coil spring 15 when in its normal condition yieldably holds the head plate in one position until an uneven pressure is exerted upon the end portions of the head plate whereby the head plate will be slightly twisted to one side or the other as shown in Figure 3 and place a rotary or twisting tension upon the stem 12 and which tension normally acts to return the head plate to a normal position.

In assembling the blade and blade clamp upon the head plate 18, the blade may first be positioned in the blade clamp between the clamping plate 31 and clamping fingers 35 with the straight rear edge 25 of the blade abutting the downturned flange 36 of the clamp plate. The blade and clamp plate may then be grasped between the thumb and forefinger at a point midway the length of the flange 36 and at the rear edge of the clamp plate. The assembled blade and clamp may then be placed upon the head plate 18 from the rear edge thereof so that the thumb or forefinger moves into the recess 20 of the head plate. The arcuate cutouts 21 of the head plate will centrally locate the clamp plate upon the head plate. When removing the blade and blade clamp, the recess 20 permits grasping of the blade and blade clamp between one's thumb and forefinger so that the blade and blade clamp may be removed as a unit and without liability of contacting the blade cutting edge 23.

Thus it will be seen that a safety razor of improved construction has been provided wherein the blade carrying head is mounted in a free floating relation to the handle portion to permit the blade to automatically follow the curvatures of the face as well as yield in directions toward and from the handle during use. It will further be apparent that a specific construction of the blade has been provided permitting better use of the razor when shaving around one's nose.

Changes in detail may be made to the form of invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A safety razor comprising a handle portion, a head movably mounted in the handle portion, and yieldable coupling means between the handle portion and head to permit rotary yielding of the head about a fixed axis and straight line longitudinal movement with respect to the handle portion.

2. In a safety razor, a handle, a stem rotatable and axially movable in the handle, a head carried by one end of the stem, and yieldable coupling means between the stem and handle and placed under tension upon movement of the stem from its position as normally held by the yieldable coupling means.

3. In a safety razor, a hollow handle, a stem axially movable in the handle, a blade supporting head carried by one end of the stem, and coupling means between the handle and stem and normally retaining the stem in a position relative to the handle permitting limited yielding of the stem axially in either direction from its normal position of rest.

4. In a safety razor, a hollow handle, a stem rotatable and longitudinally movable in the handle, a blade carrying head mounted transversely of one end of the stem, and spring means connected between the handle and stem and permitting rotary and longitudinal movement of the stem within the handle in either direction from its normal position of rest.

5. In a safety razor, a hollow handle, a stem rotatable and longitudinally movable in the handle, a blade supporting head mounted transversely of one end of the stem, and a coil spring encircling the stem within the handle and having one end rigid with the handle and its opposite end rigid with the stem.

6. In a safety razor, a handle, a stem rotatable and longitudinally movable in the handle, a coil spring encircling the stem, means rigidly connecting one end of the spring to the handle, and means rigidly connecting the opposite end of the spring to said stem whereby the spring is placed under tension by either rotary or longitudinal movement of the stem.

7. In a safety razor, a hollow handle, a cylindrical stem rotatable and longitudinally movable in the handle, a blade supporting head mounted to extend transversely of one end of the stem, a coil spring encircling the stem within the handle and having the convolutions thereof normally spaced apart, means rigidly securing the spring at one end to the handle, and means rigidly securing the opposite end of the spring to the stem.

8. In a safety razor, a handle embodying a tubular casing, a plug secured in the rear end of the casing and having an axially disposed bore, a guide bushing secured in the forward end of the casing and having a bore axially aligning with the bore in said plug, a stem reciprocable and rotatable in said bores, a blade supporting head mounted transversely of one end of the stem, and a coil spring encircling the stem between the plug and guide bushing and having one end rigidly secured to said plug and its opposite end rigidly secured to the stem for exerting a tension thereon when said head is moved from its normal position at rest.

9. In a safety razor, a handle comprising a tubular casing, a plug fixed in the rear end of the casing and having a bore extending axially of the casing, a guide bushing fixed in the forward end of the casing and having a bore axially aligned with the bore in said plug, a stem extending axially thru the casing and having its inner end rotatably fitting in the bore of said plug, a sleeve fixed to the stem and slidably fitting in the bore of the guide bushing, a blade carrying head mounted transversely of the outer end of the stem, a coil spring encircling the stem between the plug and guide bushing, means rigidly connecting the spring at one end to the plug, and means rigidly connecting the opposite end of the spring to said sleeve, said spring having the convolutions thereof normally spaced apart.

10. In a safety razor, a handle, a stem yieldably mounted in the handle, a head plate mounted midway of its ends upon the outer end of the stem and having its rear portion cut away at each end of the plate providing relatively narrow end portions, a blade for engaging over the front face of the head plate and substantially conforming to the shape thereof, and a blade clamp embodying a clamping plate engaging over the blade and clamping fingers engaging the rear face of the head plate at opposite sides of its point of connection with said stem, said blade clamp having flanges along its rear edge and being of a shape substantially conforming to said head plate.

11. In a safety razor, a head plate having a recess in its rear edge intermediate the ends of the plate and cut away on arcs at each side of the recess to form relatively narrow ends for the head plate, a blade having a central portion provided with a straight rear edge and cut away on arcs from each end of the straight rear edge to provide substantially narrow end portions for the blade, and a clamp for securing the blade to the head plate embodying a flat clamping plate for engaging the blade and clamping fingers for engaging beneath the head plate, said recess in the head plate permitting grasping of the rear central portions of the blade and blade clamp for removal thereof from the head plate.

Charles Sabiers.