To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Richard Sherman Bradley, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Houston, county of Harris, and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety-Razors, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to safety-razors, and it has for its object to provide an improved razor of this class which will be simple in construction, which will be similar to an ordinary razor, so that it can be used either in its safety form or in the ordinary manner, and which will furthermore possess advantages in point of convenience, inexpensiveness, ease and facility of operation, effectiveness, and general efficiency.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation showing my improved razor in its safety form. Fig. 2 is a corresponding view showing the opposite side. Fig. 3 is a corresponding view showing the blade opened and the razor as adapted for use in the ordinary manner. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4 4, Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a case which is similar to the ordinary razor-case, conforming in general contour to the shape of the blade and embodying parallel sides a a, between which the blade is inclosed. The sides a a are connected by transverse pins b b′ and c c′, respectively, at each end. The outermost pin b at one end forms a pivot for the blade D, while the adjoining inner pin b′ forms a rest for the blade, the relative position being such that when the blade is inclosed within the case its cutting edge will normally project a slight distance below the edge of the case, as shown at d. One of the sides a is cut away at e to a suitable extent, as shown at e, Fig. 2, to expose the blade. When the blade is thus in relative position within the case, with one side exposed at the cut-away portion of the side of the case and its edge projecting slightly below the opposite side of the case, and the blade is locked in this position, the device is adapted for convenient use as a safety-razor.

To lock the blade in the position just set forth, I provide within the end of the case adjoining the free end of the blade a catch-plate F, mounted upon a transverse pivot-pin g, the pivotal opening f in said plate being elongated or in the form of a slot, as shown, to permit movement of said catch-plate in a longitudinal plane.

The plate F is provided with a lip or head f′, which is adapted to project over the top edge or corner of the free end of the blade B—D in the drawings when the catch-plate is in locked position to lock the blade in position for use as a safety-razor, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The catch-plate is adapted to be drawn over upon its pivot, as shown in Fig. 3, to disengage it from the blade and permit the adjustment of the latter into open position for purposes of sharpening or for use as a razor in the ordinary manner. When the catch is thus thrown into unlocked position, the pin c′ at that end of the case forms a stop limiting the movement of the plate.

The catch-plate F may be provided with a top lid or projection f², adapted to be readily engaged with the finger in the operation of said plate.

The under edge of the side of the casing below the pivot of the plate F is segmentally curved, as shown at h, to form terminal recesses h′ h′, in which will rest a cam-arm i, projecting laterally from the bottom end of the plate F when said plate is in either position. As the plate is operated the cam-arm travels over the segmental edge h, this movement being permitted by reason of the elongated opening or slot of the plate.

I prefer to form a segmental recess k in the bottom edge of the side of the casing at the opposite end of the cutting edge of the blade.

In practice when the blade is locked in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 for use as a safety-razor the blade may be readily released and opened, as shown in Fig. 3, for use in the ordinary manner or for purposes of sharpening by simply pressing down upon the top of the free end of the blade with one hand and operating the attachment with the other hand to bring the latter into the position shown in Fig. 2. In again locking the blade in safety position it may be likewise slightly pressed down and the catch-plate carried over from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The cut-away portion e at the side of the case permits the wiping off or cleaning of the blade in the same manner as an ordinary razor when the device is in use as a safety-razor.

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

1. An improved safety-razor, comprising the case embodying side pieces, the blade pivotally mounted at one end of said case and adapted to be inclosed therein with its edge projecting slightly below the case, one of said sides being cut away, substantially as set forth, and the catch-plate pivoted within the case at the opposite end and provided with a lip adapted to engage the free end of the blade, the pivot of said plate being elongated and the latter being provided with a lateral cam at its bottom adapted to engage a segmental way formed by recesses in the bottom of the case, and a stop for the catch-plate located in the said case, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In an improved safety-razor, the combination, with the case, carrying the blade pivoted at one end and adapted to project slightly below the case, and the stop-pin therein to limit the downward movement of the blade; of a catch-plate pivotally mounted in the case at the opposite end and adapted to engage the free end of the blade, said catch-plate being provided with an elongated pivot and with a lateral cam engaging a segmental guideway formed at the bottom of the case, and a stop-pin in the case to limit its outward movement, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name, in presence of two witnesses, this 12th day of October, 1896.

Richard Sherman Bradley.

Witnesses:

Robert Alvin Chadwick,

Paul Bremand Timpson.