# US 5,347,715 A · Blade shave counter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,347,715 A - Document ID: US5347715A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/121,205 - Filed: 1993-09-14 - Granted: 1994-09-20 - Earliest claimed: 1993-09-14 - Inventors: Donald H. Friedland - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5347715A ## CPC - B26B 21/4056: {Sensors or controlling means} - B26B 21/4087: {Usage or wear indication} - G06M 3/00: Counters with additional facilities - 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) - G06M: COUNTING MECHANISMS; COUNTING OF OBJECTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A blade shave counter is disclosed which counts the number of shaves for which an interchangeable shaving blade has been used, and displays the count on an LCD display mounted preferably on the shaving handle of a shaving instrument. Optionally, an audible alarm sounds or an LED is activated when the count reaches a predetermined or user selectable value. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A shaving instrument comprising: a shaving blade; a shaving handle connected to said shaving blade; an electronic counting means mounted within said shaving instrument for counting the number of times said blade has been utilized for shaving; and means mounted within said shaving instrument for automatically detecting an activity performed after shaving is initiated by a user, and for automatically incrementing said counting means when said means for detecting indicates that said shaving instrument has been used to shave. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A shaving instrument according to claim 1 wherein said counting means includes an electronic counter and a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A shaving instrument according to claim 2 wherein said detecting means includes a sensor for detecting when said shaving instrument is wet. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A shaving instrument according to claim 3 wherein said counting means comprises means for incrementing the count only when the sensor detects that the shaving instrument is wet and when the shaving instrument has not been wet for at least a predetermined amount time. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A shaving instrument according to claim 4 further comprising means for resetting the LCD to display a zero count when a shaving blade is initially installed. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A shaving instrument according to claim 5 wherein said means for resetting includes a plunger arranged to complete an electrical circuit when said shaving blade is installed onto said shaving handle. ### Claim 7 A shaving handle for use with disposable shaving blades including: a counter; means for detecting the occurrence of an activity performed after shaving by a user has begun, and means responsive to said detecting means for incrementing said counter each time said means for detecting detects the occurrence of an activity performed after shaving by a user has begun. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The shaving handle of claim 7 further comprising: a display; and means for displaying on the display a count that represents the total number of times the shaving handle has been used with a particular blade to shave. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The shaving handle of claim 8 further comprising means for allowing the user to alter the count displayed on the display. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The shaving handle of claim 9 further comprising a Light Emitting Diode (LED) for indicating that the count exceeds a predetermined value. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The shaving handle of claim 9 further comprising an audible alarm for indicating when the count exceeds a predetermined value. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The shaving handle of claim 7 wherein said means for detecting is a moisture detector. ### Claim 13 A disposable shaving instrument including: means for detecting the occurrence of an activity performed after shaving begins when the instrument is utilized by a user to shave, a counter, and means responsive to said detecting means for incrementing the counter each time said detecting means detects said occurrence. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The instrument claim 13 further comprising: means for displaying a count that represents the total number of times the instrument has been used to shave. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The instrument of claim 14 further comprising means for allowing the user to alter the count displayed on the display means. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The instrument of claim 15 further comprising a Light Emitting Diode (LED) for indicating that the count exceeds a predetermined value. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The instrument of claim 15 further comprising an audible alarm for indicating when the count exceeds a predetermined value. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The instrument of claim 13 wherein said means for detecting is a moisture detector.