To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Jules Emile Leresche, a citizen of the Republic of France, and a resident of St. Julien-du-Sault, France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Razors, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to that class of razors having removable blades, and one of the objects thereof is to so construct a razor that the removable blade may be clamped firmly and securely in place for shaving, and may be quickly and easily removed when it becomes dull, or when for any other reason it is necessary to change the blade. Other objects will appear from the hereinafter description.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in the different views of which the same reference character indicates the same part.

Referring to the drawing, Figure 1 is a side view of the razor open. Fig. 2 is a cross section on an enlarged scale on line 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross section on the same scale of a slightly modified construction. Fig. 4 is a back view of the blade holder with the clamp removed therefrom.

The part marked A on the drawing represents an ordinary razor handle. B is the blade holder consisting of two members or clamping jaws b b which are welded together or otherwise secured at one end to form the shank B′ which is pivoted to the handle in the manner of an ordinary razor. This shank is grooved or curved at b′ b² to accommodate the fingers of the user. The jaws are so shaped that when they are brought together, they are substantially the form of an ordinary hollow ground razor. Near each end of the jaws, I provide holes b³ b⁴, the latter being screw-threaded and into which is fastened screws b⁵. The jaws have a tendency to spring apart and these screws limit their movement to a certain extent and also form a stop or rest for the blade C held between the jaws. In order to hold the jaws of the blade holder together so that they will grip the blade, I provide the jaws with the movable clamp D. This clamp consists of a strip of metal having downwardly turned sides d, which converge towards their lower end and are substantially the same shape as the upper part or back of the blade holder or two jaws. This clamp is inserted longitudinally on the blade holder, and it is slightly tapered so that when it is in its proper position on the holder, it has a wedge action and holds the jaws close together to securely hold the blade in place. This wedge action may also be obtained by slightly tapering the blade holder longitudinally, or by slightly tapering both the clamp and the holder. If necessary, the screws b⁵ may be tightened to assist the clamp in holding the jaws together.

When the clamp D is removed the jaws will spring apart sufficiently, if the screws be slightly loosened, to permit the blade to be inserted between the jaws. The blade is placed in position between the jaws, preferably with the back resting against the screws b⁵. The blade being now in place, the clamp is inserted on and moved longitudinally of the holder, whereby the jaws are pressed and held tightly together with the blade between. To remove the blade, it is only necessary to slide this clamp off of the holder, when the jaws will spring sufficiently apart to permit the blade to drop out or be removed.

In the construction shown by Fig. 3, I have decreased the width of the jaws so that a greater width of the blade will extend beyond the edges thereof. In this construction, I also provide the upper part of the blade with openings c′ c′ which mate with the openings b³ b⁴ in the jaws and through which the screws b⁵ are inserted. By this construction the blade is held in place even when the clamp D is removed and the jaws permitted to spring apart, and to remove the blade, it is necessary to remove the screws.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a razor, a blade, a blade holder consisting of a pair of jaws and a shank to which the jaws are connected at one end, a movable clamp to force the jaws together to secure a blade in place, and means to limit the spread of the jaws when the clamp is moved.

2. In a razor, a blade, a blade holder consisting of a pair of jaws and a shank to which the jaws are integrally connected, said jaws having screw-threaded openings therein, and screws in said openings to limit the movement of the jaws, and a movable clamp to hold the jaws together.

3. In a razor, a blade holder consisting of a pair of tapered jaws, said jaws having holes therein, screws in said holes to limit the movement of the jaws, a removable blade between the jaws, and a clamp consisting of a strip of metal having downturned edges, said clamp adapted to be placed longitudinally on the jaws, the said jaws and clamp being so shaped as to permit a wedge action to draw the jaws tightly together.

4. In a razor, a blade holder consisting of a pair of jaws, said jaws being secured together at one end to form a shank and being provided with openings, screws in said openings to limit the movement of the jaws, a removable blade between the jaws, and a clamp having downturned ends secured to the back of the jaws and adapted to be moved longitudinally thereof, said jaws and clamp being so shaped that when the clamp is inserted the jaws are forced tightly together to hold the blade in place.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Paris, France this 16th day of June, 1906.

Jules Emile Leresche.

In presence of—

Hanson C. Coxe,

John Baker.