[0001] The invention relates to wet shaving implements, and is directed more particularly
to a blade assembly in which blade means are permanently secured in a housing having
cap and guard portions.
Description of the Prior Art
[0002] In U.S. Application Serial No. 101,101, filed December 7, 1979, in the name of Chester
A. Jacobson, there is shown and described a blade assembly in which guard and blade
portions are mounted for independent movement during a shaving operation. A pair of
leaf spring-like arms extend inwardly from either end of the assembly to form a resilient
mounting for a guard portion. In like manner, another pair of arms support a first
blade member and still another pair of arms support a second blade member. The arms
are movable independently of each other, providing an independent dynamic movement
facility for each of the guard and blade members responsive to forces encountered
during a shaving operation.
[0003] While the above-mentioned blade assembly functions well and provides a close shave
substantially free of skin nicks and cuts, it is of benefit to simplify its structure
and thereby reduce the costs involved in production.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to the present invention there is provided a razor blade assembly incorporating
a platform, said platform having a longitudinal rear edge defining a base, a longitudinal
front edge extending substantially parallel thereto and ends interconnecting said
base and front edge, a cap, at least one blade contained between said platform and
cap, and blade supporting resilient elements, characterized in that a guard is associated
with said platform front edge and in that the blade s
up-porting elements are resilient arms which extend from the base toward the guard.
[0005] According to a further aspect of the invention _ there is provided a razor blade
assembly incorporating a platform, said platform having a longitudinal rear edge defining
a base, a longitudinal front edge extending substantially parallel thereto and ends
interconnecting said base and front edge, a cap, blade elements contained between
said platform and cap, resilient elements supporting the blade elements and a guard
associated with said platform front edge, characterized in that a first blade comprises
a first cutting edge strand and a first base strand substantially parallel to and
spaced from said first cutting edge strand, said first cutting edge and first base
strands being connected to each other by interconnecting strands, said first blade
being supported by a set of arms extending from said base and being adapted to flex
about the junctures thereof with said base to facilitate arcuate movement of said
first cutting edge strand about said base, and a second blade comprises a second cutting
edge strand and a second base strand parallel to and spaced from said second cutting
edge strand, said second cutting edge and second base strands being connected to each
other by interconnecting strands, said second blade being supported by a further set
of arms extending from said base to support said second blade and being adapted to
flex about the junctures thereof with said base to facilitate arcuate movement of
said second cutting edge strand about said
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which is shown an illustrative
embodiment of the invention from which its novel features and advantages will be apparent.
[0007] In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one form of razor blade assembly illustrative
of an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2.is a top plan view of a platform portion of the blade assembly;
Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the platform portion; .
Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line V-V of Fig. 2;
Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of a cap portion of the blade assembi
Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the blade assembly;
Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative form of razor blade assembly
illustrative of another embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 10 is similar to Fig. 8, but showing the alternative embodiment of Fig. 9; and
Fig. 11 is similar to Figs. 1 and 9, but showing an additional alternative embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0008] Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the illustrative razor blade assembly
includes a platform member 1 having a base portion 2. The platform member 1 is joined
to a cap portion 4. First arm means 6 extend from the base portion 2 and are joined
to a guard portion 8 extending generally parallel to the base portion. Preferably,
the first arm means 6 includ a first set of arms 9, including a first arm 10 proximate
a first end 12 of the platform member 1 and a second arm 14 proximate a second end
16 of the platform member, the first arm 10 joining the guard portion 8 proximate
a first end 18 of the guard portion and a second arm. 14 joining the guard port proximate
a second end 20 of the guard portion. The first set of arms 9 preferably includes
additional arms 21 disposed between the first and second arms 10, 14.
[0009] The blade assembly further includes a second arm means 22 disposed in-

of the ends of the platform member 1 and extending from the base portion generally
toward, and terminating short of, the guard portion.
[0010] In the embodiment shown, the second arm means 22 include second and third ets of
arms 24, 26. A first blade means 28 is disposed on the second set f arms 24 and a
second blade means 30 is disposed on the third set of arms 26.
[0011] Preferably, the base portion 2, arm means 6, 22, and guard portion 8 are f molded
material and are molded as a single, unitary and integral member. he arm means function
as leaf springs, permitting movement of the guard ortion and the blade means relative
to the base portion and the cap portion,, nd to each other, during a shaving operation.
[0012] As seen in Fig. 1, the first blade means 28 is provided with apertures

through which extend the third set of arms 26, the ends of which support -he second
blade means 30.
[0013] 
[0014] The cap portion 4 includes downwardly-extending prolrusions 48 which pass through
holes 50 in the second blade means 30 and overlie the upper surface of the first blade
means 28.
[0015] Preferably, the bridge members are molded integrally with the remainde of the platform
member 1 and the protrusions 48 are molded portions of the cap 4.
[0016] In assembly, the platform and cap portions are molded with means for interconnection.
In the illustrated embodiment, the cap 4 is provided with end-portions 52 interconnected
by a back portion 54. Rivet members 56 depe from the end portions 52 and the back
portion 54. The platform portion

provided with holes 58 on its end portions 12, 16 and base portion 2 adapted to receive
the rivet members 56. The second blade means 30 is placed on

underside of the cap portion 4, inverted for the assembly operation, with

protrusions 48 extending through the holes 50. The first blade means 28 is then placed
over the second blade means 30. The platform portion 1 is

onto the cap portion 4 and over the first blade means 28, the apertures 32 46 and
openings 44 permitting the third set of arms 26 and the protrusions 42 to extend through
the first blade means. The rivet members 56 are secu, in the platform holes 58 by
heading over, bringing the second blade means to rest on the third set of arms 26.
The cap portion 4 is formed with a shoulder 60 which bears against the first biade
means 28, as seen in Fig.
[0017] The guard portion 8 has on either end thereof outwardly extending

62 which, in assembly, are received by recesses 64 in the cap end portions 52. The
guard portion 8 is further provided with stop portions 63 on the underside of the
guard portion, the stop portions 63 being in alignment wi stop portions 65 upstanding
from the frame member 34. Two of the stop portions 65 may comprise portions of the
bridge members 36.
[0018] Thus, the first blade means 28 rests upon the second set of anns 24 proximate the
cutting edge of the first blade means, the rearward edge thereof being loosely held
in a pocket 66 (Fig. 8) formed by the cap and platform portions, and particularly
the shoulder portion 60 of the cap. The pocket 66 provides sufficient freedom to permit
the first blade means to pivot about its rearward edge. The upstanding protrusions
42 prevent the first blade from sliding forwardly or backwardly. In similar manner,
the second blade means rests upon the third set of arms 26
; its rearward edge being disposed in a pocket 68 formed by the cap portion and the
protrusions 42. The pocket 68 provides sufficient freedom to permit the second blade
to pivot about its rearward edge. The second blade means is prevented from sliding
forwardly or backwardly by the protrusions 48.
[0019] In use, the guard portion 8 is freely movable during a shaving operation by virtue
of the spring leaf-like qualities of the arms 10,14. The stop portions 65 of the frame
portion 34 and upper surfaces 67 of the recesses 64 limit the movement of the guard
portion, the guard stop portions 63 abutting the frame stop portions 65 at the-lower
extent of the permissible movement of the guard portion, and the detents 62 abutting
the upper surfaces 67 of the recesses 64 at the upper extent of the permissible movement
of the guard portion. In like manner, the blade means 28, 30 are each freely and independently
movable during a shaving operation by virtue of the spring leaf-like qualities of
the arms 24, 26. The cutting edge of the first blade means 28 can be depressed, or
moved downwardly and'pivotally about its rear edge, until the first blade means strikes
the first protrusion 38. In like manner, the second blade means 30 can be depressed,
or moved downwardly and pivotally about its rear edge until the second blade means
strikes the seco protrusion 40. During a shaving operation, the guard and blade members
may move dynamically in response to forces and pressures acting on the blade assembly
during shaving, the guard and blade means being movable in a substantially arcuate
path about a rear portion of the blade assembly.
[0020] In Figs. 9 and 10, there is illustrated an alternative embodiment in which the first
blade means 28' is provided with enlarged apertures 32', greatly reducing the surface
area of the first blade means. With the enlarged apertures 32', the first blade means
essentially comprises a first cutting edge strand portion 100 of blade material, a
first parallel base strand portion 102 of blade material, interconnecting. end strand
portions 1 and interconnecting intermediate strand portions 106. In a similar manner,
the second blade means 30' is provided with enlarged holes 50
1, substantial reducing the surface area of the second blade means. With the enlarged
holes 50', the second blade means essentially comprises a second cutting

strand portion 110 of blade material, a second parallel base strand portion 112 of
blade material, interconnecting end strand portions 114 and interconnecting intermediate
strand portions 116.
[0021] Referring particularly to Fig. 10, it will be seen that the first and second protrusions
38', 40' are provided with flat upper surfaces 118', 120. Similarly, the second and
third sets of arms 24', 26' are provided with fla upper surfaces 122, 124. The surfaces
122 engage and support an underside of the first cutting edge strand portion 100,
of the first blade means 28'.
[0022] The surfaces 124 engage and support an underside of the second cutting edge strand
portion 110 of the second blade means 30'. The surface 118 of the first protrusion
38' acts as a stop means for the first blade means 28
t 
[0023] It is to be understood that the present invention is by no means limited to the particular
construction herein disclosed and/or shown in the drawings, but also comprises any
modifications or equivalents within the scope of the disclosure. For example, suitable
attachment means of a different type are shown and described in U. S. Patents Nos.
3,703,764 and 3,832,774. The attach ment means therein described utilize parallel
grooves and rails, facilitating a siide attachment between a razor handle and a blade
assembly.
1. A razor blade assembly incorporating a platform (1), said platform having a longitudinal
rear edge defining a base (2), a longitudinal front edge extending substantially parallel
thereto and ends (12, 16) interconnecting said base and front edge, a cap (4), at
least one blade (28,30) contained between said platform and cap, and blade supporting
resilient elements (22), characterized in that a guard (8) is associated with said
platform front edge and in that the blade supporting elements are resilient arms (22)
which extend from the base (2) toward the guard (8).
2. A razor blade assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that both said guard
(8) and blades (28,30) are supported by arms (6,24,26) extending forwardly from said
base (2).
3. A razor blade assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the arms (6,24,26)
are leaf springs.
4. A razor blade assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that
a first set of arms (6) interconnects said base (2) and said guard (8), a second set
of arms (24) supports a first blade (28) and a third set of arms (26) supports a second
blade (30).
5. A razor blade assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that said third set
of arms (26) extends through apertures (32) in said first blade (28).
6. A razor blade assembly according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that the
first and second blades (28,30) are independently arcuately movable about said base
and cap during a shaving operation.
7..A razor blade assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that both said guard
(8) and said blades (28,30) are independently arcuately movable about said base and
cap during a shaving operation.
8. A razor blade assembly according to any of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that
stops (38,40) are provided on the platform (1) to limit movement of said first and
second blades (28,30), the stops (40) for limiting movement of the second blade (30)
extending through apertures (44) in the first blade (28).
9. A razor blade assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that
the guard (8) is fixed with respect to the platform (1) and in that the or each blade
(28,30) is movable with respect to said fixed guard.
10..A razor blade assembly incorporating a platform, said platform having a longitudinal
rear edge defining a base, a longitudinal front edge extending substantially parallel
thereto and ends interconnecting said base and front edge, a cap, blade elements (28',30')
contained between said platform and cap, resilient elements (24',26') supporting the
blade elements and a guard associated with said platform front edge, characterized
in that a first blade (28') comprises a first cutting edge strand (100) and a first
base strand (102) substantially parallel to and spaced from said first cutting edge
strand (100), said first cutting edge and first base strands being connected to each
other by interconnecting strands (104,106), said first blade (28') being supported
by a set of arms (24') extending from said base and being adapted to flex about the
junctures thereof with said base to facilitate arcuate movement of said first cutting
edge strand (100) about said base, and a second blade (30') comprises a second cutting
edge strand (110) and a second base strand (112) parallel to and spaced from said
second cutting edge strand, said second cutting edge and second base strands being
connected to each other by interconnecting strands (114,116), said second blade (30')
being supported by a further set of arms (26') extending from said base to support
said second blade and being adapted to flex about the junctures thereof with said
base to facilitate arcuate movement of said second cutting edge strand about said
base.
11. A razor blade assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that said set of
arms (24') are provided with flat surfaces (122) for engagement with said first cutting
edge strand (100), and said further set of arms (26') are also provided with flat
surfaces (124) for engagement with said second cutting edge strand (110).