Cutlery – Razors – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-21
2001-05-08
Rachuba, M. (Department: 3724)
Cutlery
Razors
Combined
C030S043100, C030S043900
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226869
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to an electrically operable shaving apparatus.
From DE 27 01 223 A1 a dry shaving apparatus is known having a short-hair cutter unit and a long-hair trimmer unit with two cutting edges extending in a spaced relationship to each other, each formed by a common stationary and a common movable cutting element. Associated with the long-hair trimmer unit is a spring-mounted guard member, such that the one or the other cutting edge can be covered by the guard member through operation of a slidably disposed actuating switch.
It is an object of the present invention to improve the known electrically operable shaving apparatus.
In a shaving apparatus of the type initially referred to, this object is accomplished according to some features of the invention.
These features show to advantage that the possibility of irritation of the user's skin can be largely obviated. When in the use of the combination shave described the comparatively sharp-edged cutting teeth of the long-hair trimmer unit are guided over the skin using a sequence of motions normal for a typical shave, it has shown that skin irritations may occur. With the dry shaver embodiment of the present invention, a component acting as a skin protecting element is associated with the cutting edge of the long-hair trimmer unit in this first operating position. This enables such skin irritation to be avoided to advantage. The long-hair trimmer's function is also maintained when the skin protecting element is associated with the cutting edge. The component may have the effect of a comb for introducing the hairs, for example. Also, the component itself may be configured as a long-hair trimmer. In this configuration it shows to advantage that the component prevents the cutting teeth of the long-hair trimmer to come into direct contact with the user's skin. When one of the further operating positions is reached subsequently, the component ceases to act as a guard protecting the skin. The long-hair trimmer can then be used to advantage for trimming hairs or for cutting contours. For these operations is advantageous for the cutting teeth to be in engagement with the skin to allow a precise cut.
A further embodiment implements of an automatically correct positioning of the long-hair trimmer unit and the component. It will be understood, of course, that it is also possible for the long-hair trimmer unit and the component to be moved one after the other—at least in part—instead of being moved at the same time.
The possibility also exists to move the long-hair trimmer unit and the component one after the other—at least in part—, rather than moving them at the same time.
Other embodiments provision for a slide switch acting as an On/Off switch in addition to enabling the long-hair trimmer unit to be set to several operating positions by being shifted into various positions. This makes handling of the electrically operable shaving apparatus a particularly easy matter.
Still other embodiments include a particularly straightforward construction in which the position of the component relative to the cutting edge is variable by means of a separate control element.
When the long-hair trimmer unit of the electrically operable shaving apparatus is floatingly mounted, the floating arrangement of the long-hair trimmer unit enables the tangent to adjust itself to the facial contours and the angle of inclination at which the shaving apparatus is held.
In another embodiment, the component floats together with the long-hair trimmer unit in the corresponding operating position. In this arrangement, the component is in a position to fulfill its function as a skin protecting element optimally, while at the same time any impairment of the function of the long-hair trimmer unit is kept at a minimum possible level.
An advantageous feature of some embodiments prevents that on a downward floating movement the long-hair trimmer unit and/or the component are shifted out of this operating position should the user exert too much pressure on the shaving apparatus. Using excessive pressure could, for example, cause the long-hair trimmer unit to be moved to its Off position. To prevent this from occurring, this arrangement therefore includes a detent element that is actuated to prevent a downward movement of the long-hair trimmer unit out of this particular operating position.
With the feature of the shaving apparatus according to another embodiment high trimming or cutting precision is accomplished because the long-hair trimmer unit, rather than floating in this operating position, is held in a fixed position preventing it from floating.
In another embodiment of a shaving apparatus, the function is achievable with a comparatively low number of necessary components. In this embodiment, the component can be held in the fixed position corresponding to the first operating position. The spring is then tensed on further movement of the long-hair trimmer unit into the corresponding further operating position.
However, the component is also movable in opposition to the direction of movement of the long-hair trimmer unit if the direction of force of the spring acting on the component reverses when the long-hair trimmer unit is moved into the corresponding further operating position.
An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in more detail in the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGS. 1
to
4
are views of the long-hair trimmer unit and the component illustrating various operating positions thereof;
FIGS. 5
to
7
are views of different positions of the component relative to the long-hair trimmer unit in the presence of different operating positions;
FIG. 8
is an exploded view of a shaver's mechanics illustrating a first embodiment involving actuation by means of a single slide control;
FIG. 9
is an exploded view of the shaver's mechanics according to the first embodiment but utilizing an On/Off switch and a further switch for selecting the operating positions; and
FIGS. 10
to
13
are views of a further embodiment.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4233733 (1980-11-01), Gallanis
patent: 4866843 (1989-09-01), Kumano
patent: 4922608 (1990-05-01), Pahl
patent: 5022153 (1991-06-01), Baron
patent: 5084967 (1992-02-01), Nakagawa et al.
patent: 5386631 (1995-02-01), Van Asten et al.
patent: 5507095 (1996-04-01), Wetzel et al.
patent: 27 01 223 (1977-07-01), None
patent: 37 43 181 A1 (1988-07-01), None
patent: 2 199 529 (1988-07-01), None
Heintke Hans-Eberhard
Hilfinger Peter
Oprach Klaus
Ullmann Roland
Wetzel Matthias
Braun GmbH
Fish & Richardson P.C.
Rachuba M.
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