Be it known that I, John W. Offutt, of Ellwood City, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Razor, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which—

Figure 1 is a side view of a razor constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a partial detail view of the blade and holder. Fig. 3 is an end view thereof, and Fig. 4 is a view of the releasing-key.

My invention relates to the class of ordinary razors having a blade which may be connected either rigidly or pivotally to a handle at the end.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved construction whereby removable blades, either single-edged or double-edged, may be employed in connection with a clamping-back.

In the drawings, 2 represents a holder or clamp of hollow form which is preferably oblong or elliptical in cross-section and is provided with two flanges or clamping-plates 3 3, which extend any desirable length corresponding to the length of the razor-blade. The blade 4 is preferably a wide double-edged blade, which may be reversed, so that both edges may be used alternately or successively. This blade is provided with recesses or holes which are engaged by struck-up projections 5 5 on one of the clamping-plates. Any number of these indentations or holes may be used, although two are sufficient to properly locate and hold the blade, as in the form shown. The holder is preferably made of spring-steel and is so shaped that it will normally press the flanges 3 3 toward each other, and thus grip the blade. When the parts are in this position, the back is preferably elliptical with the longer axis of the ellipse extending in the plane of the blade: To detach the blade, a key 6 is thrust into the hollow part of the back, this key having an elliptical cross-section. After the key is slipped into the back it is turned in the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3, thus spreading the gripping-flanges apart and releasing the blade.

At one end the back or holder is provided with any suitable extension 7, which may be pivoted to the handle 8 in the ordinary manner or may be itself shaped to use as a handle.

The advantages of my invention result from the use of the resilient back with the clamping-plates, which are held against the blade by spring-pressure, also from the use of the elliptical back, which enables the key to be used.

Variations may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from my invention.

I claim—

1. In a razor, a hollow back of resilient material, having extended clamping-plates arranged to hold a removable blade by spring-pressure, said back being open at the end and above the blade to receive a spreading or releasing key above the blade; substantially as described.

2. In a razor, a hollow back of resilient material, having extended substantially parallel clamping-plates, and a removable blade held between the said plates, said blades and plates having coacting projections and recesses, and the back being open to receive a spreading-tool above the blade; substantially as described.

3. In a razor, a hollow back of spring material forming a substantially complete ellipse, and having its free edges extended to form clamping-plates for holding a removable blade, said back having a shank extension; substantially as described.

4. In a razor, a tubular back of elliptical form having clamping-plates arranged to hold the blade by spring-pressure, and a turning-key arranged to spread the blades; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

John W. Offutt.

Witnesses:

Jos. W. Humphrey,

R. W. Snyder.