# US 11,077,569 B2 · Shaving systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,077,569 B2 - Document ID: US11077569B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/698,605 - Filed: 2019-11-27 - Published: 2020-03-26 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2012-09-27 - Assignees: Shavelogic, Inc. - Applicants: ShaveLogic, Inc. - Inventors: Craig A. Provost; William E. Tucker; John W. Griffin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077569B2 ## CPC - B26B 21/521: {Connection details, e.g. connection to razor heads} - B26B 21/14: Safety razors with one or more blades arranged transversely to the handle - B26B 21/225: {the changeable unit being resiliently mounted on the handle} - B26B 21/4081: {Shaving methods; Usage or wear indication; Testing methods} - Y10T 83/04: Processes - B26B: HAND-HELD CUTTING TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (for harvesting A01D; for horticulture, for forestry A01G; for butchering or meat treatment A22; for manufactering or repairing footwear A43D; nail clippers or cutters A45D29/02; kitchen equipment A47J; {vegetable slicers, julienne cutters and similar devices and holders therefor, B26D3/28}; for surgical purposes A61B; for metal B23D; cutting by abrasive fluid jets B24C5/02; plier-like tools with cutting edges B25B7/22; pincers B25C11/02; handles for hand implements, in general B25G; guillotine-type cutters B26D; {perforating by non-mechanical means, e.g. by fluid jet, B26F1/26}; for erasing B43L19/00; for textile materials D06H) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Shaving assemblies are disclosed that include a blade unit, an interface element configured to connect the blade unit to a handle, on which the blade unit is pivotably mounted, and a return element disposed between the blade unit and interface element. The return element serves as interface piece, connector and pivot all in one. Shaving systems including such shaving assemblies are also disclosed, as are methods of using such shaving systems. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A replaceable shaving assembly comprising: an interface element including a handle interface element configured to receive a distal hand of a razor handle, an arcuate blade unit interface element having attachment points, and a return element that flexibly joins the handle interface portion and the blade interface portion; and a blade unit pivotably mounted on the interface element by engagement of the attachment points on the blade interface element with complementary attachment points on the blade unit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The shaving assembly of claim 1 wherein the arcuate blade unit interface element has an apex and distal ends, and the apex is spaced further away from the handle interface portion than the distal ends. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The shaving assembly of claim 2 wherein the attachment points on the blade unit interface element are at the distal ends of the blade unit interface element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The shaving assembly of claim 3 wherein the arcuate blade unit interface element comprises one or more protrusion(s) that extend from the apex of the arcuate blade unit interface element toward the blade unit, and the blade unit includes one or more corresponding receiving bore(s) that receive the protrusions. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The shaving assembly of claim 4 wherein the protrusion(s) engage the bore(s) to provide a third point of attachment of the blade unit to the blade unit interface element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The shaving assembly of claim 4 wherein the blade unit includes a pivot stop spaced from the receiving bore(s) and positioned to limit the pivoting of the blade unit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The shaving assembly of claim 3, wherein the attachment points at the distal ends of the blade unit interface element comprise tabs, and the complementary attachment points on the blade unit comprise openings configured to receive the tabs. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The shaving assembly of claim 1 wherein the return element comprises one or more pairs of spaced apart rigid portions extending from the blade unit interface element and the handle unit interface element, the rigid portions facing each other in opposed space relation, and one or more flexible elastomeric return portions, each return portion being molded over the opposed ends of the rigid portions, joining the opposed ends and thus flexibly joining the handle interface portion to the blade unit interface portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The shaving assembly of claim 8 wherein the return element comprises two spaced apart elastomeric members that extend in a direction generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the blade unit, and each of the elastomeric members connects a pair of the spaced apart rigid portions. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The shaving assembly of claim 1, wherein the return element is configured to bias the blade unit towards a rest position with respect to a pivot axis that is generally parallel to a long axis of the blade unit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The shaving assembly of claim 1, wherein the return element comprises a thermoplastic elastomer or thermoplastic urethane. ### Claim 12 A shaving system comprising: a handle having a distal end and a proximal end; and an interface element interface element including a handle interface element configured to receive the distal end of the razor handle, an arcuate blade unit interface element having attachment points, and a return element that flexibly joins the handle interface portion and the blade interface element; and a blade unit pivotably mounted on the interface element by engagement of the attachment points on the blade interface element with complementary attachment points on the blade unit. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The shaving system of claim 12 wherein the arcuate blade unit interface element has an apex and distal ends, and the apex is spaced further away from the handle interface portion than the distal ends. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The shaving system of claim 13 wherein the attachment points are at the distal ends of the blade unit interface element. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The shaving system of claim 14 wherein the arcuate blade unit interface element comprises one or more protrusion(s) that extend from the apex of the arcuate blade unit interface element toward the blade unit, and the blade unit includes one or more corresponding receiving bore(s) that receive the protrusions. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The shaving system of claim 15 wherein the protrusion(s) engage the bore(s) to provide a third point of attachment of the blade unit to the blade unit interface element. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The shaving system of claim 15 wherein the blade unit includes a pivot stop spaced from the receiving bore(s) and positioned to limit the pivoting of the blade unit. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The shaving system of claim 14, wherein the attachment points at the distal ends of the blade unit interface element comprise tabs, and the complementary attachment points on the blade unit comprise receiving bores. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The shaving system of claim 12 wherein the return element comprises one or more pairs of spaced apart rigid portions extending from the blade unit interface element and the handle unit interface element, the rigid portions facing each other in opposed space relation, and one or more flexible elastomeric return portions, each return portion being molded over the opposed ends of the rigid portions, joining the opposed ends and thus flexibly joining the handle interface portion to the blade unit interface portion. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The shaving system of claim 19 wherein the return element comprises two spaced apart elastomeric members that extend in a direction generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the blade unit, and each of the elastomeric members connects a pair of the spaced apart rigid portions. ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) The shaving system of claim 12, wherein the return element is configured to bias the blade unit towards a rest position with respect to a pivot axis that is generally parallel to a long axis of the blade unit. ### Claim 22 (depends on 12) The shaving system of claim 12, wherein the return element comprises a thermoplastic elastomer or thermoplastic urethane. ### Claim 23 A method of shaving comprising contacting the skin with the blade unit of a shaving system comprising a handle having a distal end and a proximal end, and a replaceable shaving assembly that includes (a) an interface element interface element including a handle interface element configured to receive a distal hand of a razor handle, an arcuate blade unit interface element having attachment points, and a return element that flexibly joins the handle interface portion and the blade interface portion; and (b) a blade unit pivotably mounted on the interface element by engagement of the attachment points on the blade interface element with complementary attachment points on the blade unit.