No part
zoom_out loupe Click on this icon or hold down the shift key to magnify while moving over the patent image. zoom_in
home Home help_outline Help
 
 
   
parts

Straight Razor Back

Patent US182904

Invention Improvements in Razor-Backs

Filed Saturday, 19th August 1876

Published Tuesday, 3rd October 1876

Inventor Hiram A. Dow

Language English

CPC Classification:   
B26B21/50
  • B26B21/50
    Means integral with, or attached to, the razor for stropping the blade
  • B
    Performing Operations; Transporting
  • B26
    Hand Cutting Tools; Cutting; Severing
  • B26B
    Hand-Held Cutting Tools Not Otherwise Provided For
  • B26B21/00
    Razors of the open or knife type; Safety razors or other shaving implements of the planing type; Hair-trimming devices involving a razor-blade; Equipment therefor
  • B26B21/40
    Details or accessories

For a full resolution version of the images click here

A PDF version of the original patent can be found here.

No. 182,904.Patented Oct. 3, 1876.
United States Patent Office.

Hiram A. Dow, of Quarry, Iowa. Improvements in Razor-Backs.
Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 182,904, dated October 3, 1876; application filed August 19, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Hiram A. Dow, of Quarry, in the county of Marshall and State of Iowa, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Razor-Backs; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a representation of aside view of my razor with strips elevated, and Fig. 2 is a plan view of same. Fig. 3 is a horizontal vertical sectional view. Fig. 4 is a detail view, and Fig. 5 is a side view, of my razor, having strips closed.

The object of this invention is to provide a convenient means for giving to razors, when sharpening them, an even and satisfactory edge; and to this end my invention consists in the application to a razor-blade of a rod provided with lugs, springs, and strips for expanding the casing or back of the blade, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and definitely claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, A designates an ordinary bifurcated or split razor-handle, and B the curved tapering shank of a razor-blade, which is pivoted therein after the usual manner. C is the razor-blade, which is made in one piece with said shank, and is recessed on the back so as to leave a shoulder, c, at the junction of said shank with said blade. Said blade is also provided with notches or small recesses c1 c1 c2 c2, for a purpose hereinafter stated. D D′ designate two corresponding angular longitudinal metal strips, which consist, respectively, of vertical longitudinal plate d or d1 and horizontal top flange d2 or d3, as the case may be. The lower edges of longitudinal vertical plates d and d1 clasp the sides of razor-blade C when said plates are not separated by the operation of devices hereinafter described, and the horizontal top flanges d2 d3, under the same circumstances, meet above or behind the back of said blade C. Thus the two strips D D′, taken together, constitute a casing for the back of the razor. Said strips or angular plates, at their angles, are made of considerable thickness, and are rounded on their exposed outer and upper surfaces, to avoid unnecessary friction and add to the attractiveness of their appearance. Strip D is connected to the back of blade C by means of plate-spring E near the inner end of said blade, and by means of a similar plate-spring, E′, near the outer end of said blade. Each of said springs is pivoted at one end to the inside of said strip at e, and at the other end to said blade at e1, near its back. When said strip is folded down upon the back of said blade, pivots e e set respectively into notches c1 or c2, and are directly in the rear of pivots e1 ,which connect said springs to blade C. Said springs thus act as links as well as springs. Strip D′ is connected to blade C by rear spring F and forward spring F′, which correspond in construction, arrangement, attachment, and operation with those already described as being used for the attachment of casing-strip D. G designates a metal rod, which is provided with a raised flange or thumb-piece, g, at its inner end, and with two pairs, g1 g1 and g2 g2, of downwardly-extending lugs. Said rod G lies longitudinally along the back of blade C and between said back and casing-strips D D′. When out of operation, thumb-piece g is against shoulder c (though rising a little above it) on the back of said blade. Lugs g1 g1 are then in the rear of springs E F, and lugs g2 g2 are in the rear of springs E′ F′. Said lugs g1 g1 and g2 g2 at all times embrace or straddle the back of said blade and extend laterally the distance of their own thickness beyond rod G, which corresponds almost exactly to said back.

By pressing against the back of flange or thumb-piece g, rod G is forced forward so as to drive lugs g1 g1 between springs E and F, and lugs g2 g2 between springs E′ and F′, thereby expanding said springs and the casing-strips D D′ attached thereto. The device is now ready for giving the razor a smooth cutting-edge.

It is obvious that blade C, if laid as nearly flat as possible, with one of the strips of said expanded casing resting upon the strop, will present its edge at a considerable angle thereto, and thereby aid in making said edge even as well as sharp.

In case it should be necessary to inspect or clean the interior of the device, the strips D D′ may be thrown up into the position shown in Fig.1. The degree of inclination of the blade to the strop may also be lessened in the same way. The said strips are preferably made of steel, though other materials may be used, and the springs E F and E′ F′ are preferably constructed of brass.

I do not desire to confine myself to the precise construction and arrangement of the devices shown, as these may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of my invention. For instance, instead of downwardly-extending lugs g1 g2, I may employ beveled side shoulders, and rod G may be pushed from the outer end instead of being pushed from the inner. Also strips D D′ may be connected together by helical springs and linked to blade C independently thereof; or a headed screw working up from below, or any other known equivalent expanding device, may be substituted for rod G.

I am aware that a casing for the back of a razor-blade is not new, per se; but

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is—

1. A razor-blade, C, in combination with springs E F and E′ F′ and strips D D′, and means for expanding the same, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of blade C, strips D D′, rod G, having lugs g1 g1 g2 g2, and thumb-piece g, and springs E F and E′ F′, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The razor-blade C, provided with shoulder c and recesses c1 c2, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

Hiram A. Dow.

Witnesses:

R. N. Yount,

Aldus M. Coate.