Cutlery – Razors – Attachment or accessory
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-25
2001-10-16
Watts, Douglas D. (Department: 3724)
Cutlery
Razors
Attachment or accessory
C030S537000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301792
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to shavers for vehicles and, more particularly, to a rechargeable shaver and adjustable holder for use in over-the-road trucks.
Drivers of over-the-road trucks often work and sleep in their trucks away from modern conveniences for days at a time. In addition, delivery schedules often make it undesirable to take time to find a public restroom for the purpose of shaving. A battery operated portable shaver is only useful in this context so long as its battery retains a charge.
Various devices have been proposed in the prior art for adapting electric shavers for use in a vehicle, such as the apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,242,799 to Kameyama. A rechargeable electric razor is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,896,364 to Reister. These devices, however, are not adapted for easy grasping by a user for one handed use while driving. Further, the existing devices are not adapted to be held in a recharging base unit that is mounted within a semi-truck cab for convenient removal, placement, and storage of the shaver while recharging.
Therefore, it is desirable to have a rechargeable shaver having a configuration that is easy to grasp and hold with one hand while driving. Further, it is desirable to have a shaver which includes a holder that is pivotally adjustable to facilitate use while driving. It is also desirable to have a shaver which can be easily coupled to or removed from a recharging base unit with one hand while driving without significantly impairing driving ability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The rechargeable shaving apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a shaver having an ergonomically configured body portion with first and second ends. The body portion includes an outwardly tapered surface between the first and second ends for supporting the thumb of a user's hand while gripping the body portion. The second end of the body portion forms a generally circular surface for supporting the side of a user's hand while gripping the body portion. A shaving head is coupled to the first end of the body portion and is configured to cut the hairs on a skin surface during shaving. A rechargeable battery is positioned within the body portion of the shaver and is electrically connected to a male connector extending through the second end of the body portion.
The shaving apparatus includes a base unit for holding and recharging the shaver. The base unit includes a mounting bracket for mounting the base unit to the dashboard or other suitable surface within a vehicle. A holder is pivotally attached to the bracket for selectively positioning the apparatus. The holder includes a bottom wall bounded by a rim for retaining the shaver therein. A socket also extends upwardly from the bottom wall for releasably mating with the male connector when the shaver is placed on the holder. The socket is connected to an electrical adapter which can be plugged in to a vehicle electrical power source, such as a cigarette lighter receptacle. Accordingly, the shaver battery is recharged when the shaver is retained in the holder, i.e. when the male connector is coupled to the socket.
In a preferred embodiment, the cutting head is energized by a user pressing an on/off button on the side of the body portion. A release of the button deactivates the cutting head. The position of the button on the thumb support enables the button to be depressed by merely grasping the body portion. In an alternative embodiment, the cutting head is automatically actuated upon removing the shaver from the base unit.
Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a shaving apparatus for a vehicle having a shaver and a recharging base unit.
Another object of this invention is to provide a shaving apparatus, as aforesaid, wherein the shaver presents a configuration that is easily graspable by a user.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a shaving apparatus, as aforesaid, in which the base unit is configured to be mounted to a horizontal, vertical, or inclined surface and pivotally adjustable such that the shaver is vertically disposed when placed in the base unit.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a shaving apparatus, as aforesaid, in which the base unit is connected to a vehicle electrical source.
A further object of this invention is to provide a shaving apparatus, as aforesaid, in which the shaver includes a rechargeable battery which is recharged when the shaver is coupled to the base unit.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a shaving apparatus, as aforesaid, which may be automatically actuated when removed from the base unit.
A particular object of this invention is to provide a shaving apparatus, as aforesaid, which includes a thumb rest for relieving tension on a user's hand while shaving.
Another object of this invention is to provide a shaving apparatus, as aforesaid, that is economical to manufacture and durable in construction.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of this invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 300626 (1989-04-01), Crutcher et al.
patent: 3043996 (1962-07-01), Hartwig et al.
patent: 3896364 (1975-07-01), Reister
patent: 4094486 (1978-06-01), Sunderlin
patent: 4242799 (1981-01-01), Kameyama
patent: 4789361 (1988-12-01), Kinzalow et al.
patent: 5318356 (1994-06-01), Shelton
patent: 5355273 (1994-10-01), Yoshizawa et al.
patent: 5599204 (1997-02-01), Glassford
patent: 5865403 (1999-02-01), Covell
Ream Dale J.
Watts Douglas D.
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