US 6,601,302 B2 · Shaving systems and adjustable trimmers therefor

Abstract

By providing a separate and independent hair trimmer or trimming assembly which is incorporated into a shaver system and is controllably movable directly into a variety of alternate positions for providing enhanced cutting of hair fibers, a substantially improved, close and comfortable shaving system is obtained which effectively cuts both short hair and long hair. By employing a single, multi-positionable, switch member which cooperates with a movement control system incorporated into a trimmer assembly, user control is provided for altering the position of the trimmer assembly for placing the trimmer assembly directly and any precisely desired orientation or location. In addition, in the preferred embodiment, the trimmer assembly incorporates a pair of specially constructed cutting elements formed thereon for providing enhanced cutting and/or trimming capabilities in a wide variety of alternate operations.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims27

Dependent claims

An electric dry shaver for providing improved cutting of long hair and short hair comprising:

A. a housing comprising a trimmer receiving and holding zone formed therein;
B. at least one arcuately curved, apertured foil member removably mounted to the housing;
C. at feast one cutting blade assembly securely mounted with the housing for reciprocating movement relative thereto and cooperatively associated with said arcuately curved foil member for contacting engagement with one surface of said foil member;
D. a trimmer assembly
a. mounted to the receiving and holding zone of the housing for cooperative association with the apertured foil member,
b. incorporating cutting blades for providing cutting of hair fibers,
c. adjustably movable relative to the apertured foil member between three alternate positions, and
d. responsive to the movement of an activation switch for being selectively movable from a first stored position, wherein the cutting blades are below the apertured foil member, directly into either a second intercept position, wherein the cutting blades are co-extensively aligned with the apertured foil member, or a third trim position, wherein the cutting blades are spaced above the apertured foil member;
E. an activation switch controllably interconnected with the trimmer assembly for initiation of movement of the trimmer assembly into its alternate positions, said switch having three alternate positions and being;
a. movable from a central position in opposite directions into two alternate positions, and
b. spring biased to return to its central position after movement into either of its alternate positions;
and
F. a movement control system cooperatively associated with the activation switch for controllably moving the trimmer assembly from its first position to its second position in response to the movement of the activation switch from its central position in a first direction and controllably moving the trimmer assembly from its first position to its third position in response to the movement of the activation switch from its central position in a second direction and comprising
a. an elongated, generally, rectangular shaped, recessed zone formed on an outside surface of the trimmer assembly, said recessed zone comprising
1. a ledge centrally positioned, extending from said recessed zone near the upper end thereof, and
2. an elongated ridge extending from said recessed zone near the lower end thereof, vertically below said ledge, and comprising an elongated length extending to one side of said recessed zone;
and
b. a lever member incorporating a position locking pin and being controllably connected to said activation switch for moving in response to the movement to the activation switch, whereby the locking pin is engageable and disengageable with the ledge and the ridge of said recessed zone for controlling the movement of the trimmer assembly;
whereby a shaver system is obtained which is capable of enabling users to select a desired position for the trimmer assembly and actively control the movement of the trimmer assembly directly into the desired location.

16 more elements

An electric dry shaver for providing improved cutting of long hair and short hair comprising:

A. a housing comprising a trimmer receiving and holding zone formed therein;
B. at least one arcuately curved, apertured foil member removably mounted to the housing;
C. at least one cutting blade assembly securely mounted with the housing for reciprocating movement relative thereto and cooperatively associated with said arcuately curved foil member for contacting engagement with one surface of said foil member;
D. a trimmer assembly
a. mounted to the receiving and holding zone of the housing for cooperative association with the apertured foil member,
b. incorporating cutting blades for providing cutting of hair fibers,
c. adjustably movable relative to the apertured foil member between three alternate positions,
d. responsive to the movement of an activation switch for being selectively movable from a first stored position, wherein the cutting blades are below the apertured foil member, directly into either a second intercept position, wherein the cutting blades are co-extensively aligned with the apertured foil member, or a third trim position, wherein the cutting blades are spaced above the apertured foil member;
and
e. comprising a first housing member and a second housing member cooperatively associated with the first housing member and movable relation thereto;
E. an activation switch controllably interconnected with the trimmer assembly for initiation of movement of the trimmer assembly into its alternate positions, said switch having three alternate positions and being:
a. movable from a central position in opposite directions into two alternate positions, and
b. spring biased to return to its central position after movement into either of its alternate positions;
and
F. a movement control system cooperatively associated with the activation switch for controllably moving the trimmer assembly from its first position to its second position in response to the movement of the activation switch from its central position in a first direction and controllably moving the trimmer assembly from its first position to its third position in response to the movement of the activation switch from its central position in a second direction and comprising
a. a first ledge on an inside surface of said second housing member near an upper end thereof and constructed for defining the first position of the trimmer assembly,
b. a second ledge formed on the inside surface of said second housing member below said first ledge and vertically aligned therewith, and
c. a third ledge formed on the inside surface of said second housing member, horizontally aligned with the second ledge, and defining the second position of the trimmer assembly in combination with the second ledge;
whereby a shaver system is obtained which is capable of enabling users to select a desired position for the trimmer assembly and actively control the movement of the trimmer assembly directly into the desired location.

16 more elements

An electric dry shaver for providing improved cutting of long hair and short hair comprising:

A. a housing comprising a trimmer receiving and holding zone formed therein;
B. at least one arcuately curved, apertured foil member removably mounted to the housing;
C. at least one cutting blade assembly securely mounted with the housing for reciprocating movement relative thereto and cooperatively associated with said arcuately curved foil member for contacting engagement with one surface of said foil member;
D. a trimmer assembly
a. mounted to the receiving and holding zone of the housing for cooperative association with the apertured foil member,
b. incorporating cutting blades for providing cutting of hair fibers,
c. adjustably movable relative to the apertured foil member between three alternate positions, and
d. responsive to the movement of an activation switch for being selectively movable from a first stored position, wherein the cutting blades are below the apertured foil member, directly into either a second intercept position, wherein the cutting blades are co-extensively aligned with the apertured foil member, or a third trim position, wherein the cutting blades are spaced above the apertured foil member;
E. an activation switch controllably interconnected with the trimmer assembly for initiation of movement of the trimmer assembly into its alternate positions, said switch having three alternate positions and being;
a. movable from a central position in opposite directions into two alternate positions, and
b. spring biased to return to its central position after movement into either of its alternate positions;
and
F. a movement control system cooperatively associated with the activation switch for controllably moving the trimmer assembly from its first position to its second position in response to the movement of the activation switch from its central position in a first direction and controllably moving the trimmer assembly from its first position to its third position in response to the movement of the activation switch from its central position in a second direction;
whereby a shaver system is obtained which is capable of enabling users to select a desired position for the trimmer assembly and actively control the movement of the trimmer assembly directly into the desired location.

11 more elements

An electric dry shaver for providing improved cutting of long hair and short hair comprising:

A. a housing;
B. at least one arcuately curved, apertured foil member removably mounted to the housing;
C. at least one cutting blade assembly securely mounted with the housing for reciprocating movement relative thereto and cooperatively associated with said arcuately curved foil member for contacting engagement with one surface of said foil member;
D. a trimmer assembly
a. mounted to the housing for cooperative association with the apertured foil member,
b. incorporating cutting blades for providing cutting of hair fibers,
c. adjustably movable relative to the apertured foil member between three alternate positions, and
d. responsive to the movement of an actuating switch for being selectively movable from a first stored position, wherein the cutting blades are below the apertured foil member, directly into either a second intercept position, wherein the cutting blades are co-extensively aligned with the apertured foil member, or a third trim position, wherein the cutting blades are spaced above the apertured foil member;
and
E. an activation switch comprising three alternate positions and controllably interconnected with the trimmer assembly for controlling the movement of the trimmer assembly into its alternate positions and being
a. movable from a central position in opposite directions into two alternate positions, and
b. spring biased to return to its central position after movement into either of its alternate positions
whereby a shaver system is obtained which is capable of enabling users to select a desired position for the trimmer assembly and actively control the movement of the trimmer assembly directly into the desired location.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description11,056 words

Summary1,880 words

#This invention relates to electric dry shavers and, more particularly, to improving long hair and short hair cutting systems for shavers.

#Over the last several years, both men and women have been increasingly drawn to the advantages provided by electric dry shavers. In general, the consuming public has found that the use of razors or other systems is extremely inconvenient for removing or shaving long hair and/or short hair or stubble, as commonly found in men's beards and women's legs. In addition, with the ever increasing time constraints and commitments individuals typically encounter, a fast and effective shaving system is most desirable.

#The discomfort as well as the time consumed in using shaving creams, soaps and gels, in order to provide a medium for which a razor can be used, requires more time and inconvenience than most individuals are willing or capable of experiencing. Furthermore, the cost of maintaining a sufficient supply of these products creates an additional burden. Consequently, electric dry shavers have become increasingly popular, as well as battery-operated electric dry shavers which can withstand exposure to moisture, thereby enabling individuals to simultaneously shower, as well as shaving their beard or legs.

Brief description of the drawings35 figures

#For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the shaving system of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of this embodiment of the shaving system of the present invention;

Detailed description8,426 words

#By referring to FIGS. 1-56, along with the following detailed discussion, the construction and operation of two preferred alternate embodiments of the shaver system of the present invention can best be understood, thereby providing a complete detailed disclosure of the best mode for carrying out the present invention. However, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in this art, the present invention may be implemented in a wide variety of alternate constructions and configurations. Consequently, it is intended that the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-56 and detailed herein shall be considered as examples of the present invention and not as a limitation of the scope of protection afforded by this disclosure.

#In FIGS. 1-25, electric dry shaver system 20 is depicted incorporating two cutting blade and mesh screen assemblies, while FIGS. 26-55 fully depict an alternate embodiment incorporating three cutting blade and mesh screen assemblies. In both embodiments, shaver system 20 comprises housing 21 to which guard/cover support base 22 is removably mounted. In addition, as fully detailed below, apertured foils or mesh screens 24 are mounted in cooperating relationship with cutting blade assemblies 28, and a movable trimmer assembly 26 is incorporated in shaver system 20 for providing the desired cutting of both long hair and short hair.

#In the preferred construction of these embodiments, as best seen in FIGS. 1-7 and 26-33, two or three separate and independent apertured foils or mesh screens 24 are removably mounted to guard/cover support base 22 with trimmer assembly 26 also mounted to guard/cover support base 22 in juxtaposed, spaced, cooperating relationship with one apertured foil 24. In addition, in the conventional manner typically employed with electric dry shavers, housing 21 incorporates a motor which drives a rotatable shaft on which an eccentrically mounted drive pin is affixed. As best seen in FIGS. 5, 6, 27 and 28, the drive pin is controllably interconnected to separate and independent cutting blade assemblies 28, which are biasingly maintained in mating, contacting, hair cutting interengagement with apertured foils or mesh screens 24. Furthermore, both apertured foils 24 and cutting blade assemblies 28 are constructed for providing flexing movement during use, while being maintained in contact with each other.

Facts

Application

09/925,061Filed 8 Aug 2001 · us provisional application

Priority

8 Sep 2000

Published

US 2002/0078570 A127 Jun 2002

Granted

5 Aug 2003

Term ended

8 Aug 2021

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification2 codes

B26B 19/102
Involving two or more different types of reciprocating cutting elements, e.g. a pair of toothed shearing elements combined with a pair of…: with a…
B26B
Hand-held cutting tools not otherwise provided for

Timeline

8 Sep 2000Priority claimedParent application 60/231,407
8 Aug 2001Application filedUS 09/925,061
8 Aug 2001Assigned to Remington Corporation, L.L.C.assignment of assignor's interest
27 Jun 2002PublishedUS 2002/0078570 A1
5 Aug 2003GrantedUS 6,601,302 B2
12 Dec 2003Assigned to Bank of America, N.A.security interest
14 Jul 2004Assigned to Remington Products Company, L.L.C.merger
30 Nov 2004Assigned to Rayovac Corporationmerger
1 Dec 2004Assigned to Rovcal, Inc.assignment of assignor's interest
27 Jun 2007Assigned to Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P., AS Collateral Agentsecurity agreement
14 Jul 2009Assigned to The Bank of New York Mellon, AS Collateral Agentassignment of assignor's interest
8 Aug 2021Term endedEstimated

Shaving systems and adjustable trimmers therefor

Life of this patent

Shaving systems and adjustable trimmers therefor

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims27

Description11,056 words

Drawings

Classification2 codes

Life of this patent

Description11,056 words