To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Koby Kohn, a citizen of the United States, and residing at New York, county of New York, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Razors and Brushes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a shaving device, and includes in combination a safety razor and a lather applying means. The advantages of combining these essential elements in one structure secure economy of construction; they cooperate each with the other to materially expedite the operation of shaving, and enable the user to secure an easier and more perfect shave than if the brush and razor are separate, thus greatly facilitating the operation of shaving.

In shaving, it has always been customary to lather the beard with a brush, then to use the razor, which removes all the lather, but only a portion of the growth of the beard. This failure of the razor to remove the entire growth is caused mainly by insufficient softening of the beard by the first application of lather, and requires a second application. It also frequently happens that additional intermittent applications are required during this second shaving operation, compelling the shaver to take up the brush for each application and, as lather has a distinct tendency to become dry unless used at once, he is also compelled to frequently moisten the brush. All this causes him unnecessary inconvenience and waste of time. The foregoing condition and method are common even when the shaving is done by a barber.

But all this difficulty is overcome with my invention, for the lathering and shaving elements are supported and manipulated by one common handle. As soon as an area of lathered beard is removed, a half-turn of this handle brings the fresh, moist lather in position for the second application to the shaved area. In almost every instance these second applications overlap the already lathered surface, which materially hastens the softening of the beard. The shaved area now being lathered, a reversal of the former half-turn of the handle brings the razor edge to the unshaved portion, and the shaving operation is resumed. This same method is carried on until the first lather application is removed and the second applied and during which time this second application is thoroughly softening the beard. This second application is now removed, completing the shave, the two operations of lathering and shaving being accomplished without once laying the razor aside, as one is compelled to do when using a separate brush. If during the removal of the foregoing second application additional intermittent lather is required, it can be applied at any time without laying the razor aside.

It is the nature of lather that its effectiveness on the beard is greatly increased the more constantly it is agitated. The softening of the beard is hastened the oftener this agitation occurs. With my invention this agitation is constantly alternated with but in complete cooperation with the shaving, which enables any one unskilled in the art to greatly reduce the time now required to attain the same results with the separate elements.

Razors and brushes as now made, require a handle for each element, but with my invention one handle is eliminated, thereby securing economy of construction, and convenience in use.

Another advantage for the combination is that there is only one article to be handled in shaving and it is not necessary to put it down on a support at intervals during shaving and again pick it up when needed, as is the case where a separate brush or lathering device is used, and this avoids all possibility that a necessary part of the shaving equipment may be mislaid or accidentally knocked or shaken from the support on which it is placed, as in shaving on a railway train.

It embodies a simple and novel structural arrangement by which this novel and useful combination of the essential elements used in shaving is brought about and also includes a novel form of lathering brush composed of sponge rubber. The novel features will be more fully understood from the following description and claims taken with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a bottom plan view of one form of device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same form;

Fig. 3 is a rear view;

Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 4—4 of Figure 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the means for engaging the ends of the razor blade to hold it in position; and

Figs. 6 is a side view of a modified form embodying the broad features of the invention.

In the form shown in Figures 1 to 4 there is a frame composed of sheet metal having a body portion 10 provided with a flat back surface having a width slightly greater than the length of a razor blade and a razor blade supporting portion 11 extending from the end at the usual angle for shaving. Side strips 12 are cut from the metal at the margin of the body portion 10 and razor supporting portion 11 where they join and are bent outward across the outer surface of the razor supporting portion and then longitudinally of it spaced a sufficient distance therefrom to receive the rear edge of the razor blade. At the outer edge of portion 11 strips 13 are cut and bent outwardly and then back inwardly along the surface to engage the sharp edge of the blade at its ends to aid in holding it in place. Side lugs 14 are cut and bent upward to prevent end movement of the blade on its support. The side strips 12 have sufficient resiliency to permit proper insertion of the blade in its holding means on its support. The outer edge of support 11 may be provided with slots 15 to permit the passage of the soapy lather.

The handle 16 is formed integrally with the body portion and extends centrally therefrom at one end and in substantially the same plane. It is curved transversely between its side margins forming a rib 17 serving to strengthen it.

A lathering brush 18 composed of sponge rubber and of substantially uniform thickness may be secured to the back of the razor in any suitable way. As shown it is placed on the flat back of body portion 10 and the side margins of the metal of which the body portion is composed are bent outwardly from the surface and then inwardly towards each other producing clamping ribs 19 which engage the sides of the sponge rubber brush 18 and hold it in place.

In the form shown in Figure 6 the razor blade supporting portion 20 and its attached parts are like those of portion 11 and its attached parts in Figures 1 to 4, and the body portion 21 is similar to that of Figures 1 to 4, except that the handle is not made integral but the outer end is bent outward at 22 and a separate handle 23 is screwed into it and the brush is supported in a different way. In this instance the brush 24 is made of hair in a base 25 which has a central screw threaded projection 26 which passes through a screw threaded opening in the body portion 21 and thus secures the brush in place.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described the combination with a metal frame having a body portion, a handle and a razor blade holding portion at the end of and at an angle to the body portion and a brush for applying lather secured to said body portion.

2. In a device of the class described the combination of a sheet metal frame including a body portion having a flat back, a handle projecting from said back midway at one end and a razor supporting portion projecting from the other end of said body portion at an angle towards the handle end, means on said supporting portion for detachably engaging a razor blade, and a lathering brush secured to the flat back of said body portion between its margins.

3. In a device of the class described the combination of a sheet metal frame including a body portion having a flat back, a handle projecting from said back midway at one end and a razor supporting portion projecting from the other end of said body portion at an angle towards the handle end, means on said supporting portion for detachably engaging a razor blade, and a lathering brush composed of sponge rubber secured to said flat back portion by marginal flanges extending outwardly and inwardly, the central portion of said handle being curved transversely forming a rib and the razor blade holding means being formed integrally from the metal of the body and razor supporting portion.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

Koby Kohn.