To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Thomas Crookes, of Sheffield, in the county of York, England, have invented new and useful Improvements in Guard-Razors, (for which an application has been made in Great Britain, bearing date January 15, 1889, and numbered 712,) of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to razors provided with a guard for the blade; and it consists in the construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Figure 1 is a front view of a razor and guard embodying my invention, the blade being closed behind the guard and the handle on the left. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the handle turned to the right. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but with the blade turned open for stropping. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the handle at right angles to the guard-plate and the blade. Fig. 5 is a detail plan view of a brass shell to be placed on the back of the razor-blade when in the position shown by Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a detail plan view of a piece of metal fitting into the guard and to which the handle is attached. Fig. 7 is a detail view of the spring.

A designates the razor-blade, the heel of which is pivoted to the outer end of the guard-plate B, at one corner thereof. This guard-plate is toothed like a comb at the edge corresponding to that of the razor-blade A when the latter is in use for shaving. The said guard-plate is also provided near its center with a piece E, having transverse studs to which the forward bifurcated end of the handle C is pivoted in order that said handle may be turned to the right or left or transversely, as illustrated, respectively, in Figs. 1,2, and 4. This handle is also provided with a spring F, which bears against this piece E and holds the said handle in any one of the three said positions with respect to the blade and guard-plate.

When it is desired to strop the razor-blade or use it without the guard-plate or to clean the guard-plate, the blade is turned outward on its pivot, as in Fig. 3, and a brass shell D is fitted on the back of it. This shell D prevents the blade from closing, and keeps the edge of the razor on the strop when stropping. When the said shell has been removed, the blade is free to fold behind said guard-plate. This it does by turning backward, so that there is no risk of injuring the edge of the blade on the teeth of said plate. The action of spring F is simply that of the spring in an ordinary pocket-knife. The handle and guard-plate may be of German silver, brass, or any other suitable material.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is—

1. In combination with the handle of a razor, a guard-plate pivoted thereto at its middle, and a razor pivoted to said guard-plate at one end thereof, for the purpose set forth.

2. A pivoted razor-blade, guard-plate, and handle, in combination with a spring which holds the handle at will in any one of different positions with respect to said guard-plate and blade, substantially as set forth.

3. A razor-blade in combination with a handle and a guard-plate, the said plate being pivoted at its middle to said handle, and the said blade being pivoted at one end to said guard-plate and folding backward beside the same in order that its edge may not be injured, substantially as set forth.

4. The handle C, bifurcated at its forward end, in combination with the blade A and guard B, the latter being provided near its middle with a piece E, which has transverse studs e e, to which said bifurcated end of the handle is pivoted, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

Tho. Crookes.

Witnesses:

Benjamin Folsom,

William McGowan.