To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, John J. Meehan, a citizen of the United States, residing at 1754 Lawrence street, in the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety-Razors; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in safety razors of the class set forth in my application, Serial No. 261,764, filed May 23, 1905.

My present invention relates to certain improvements in the details of construction, though the general construction, as well as the principle of operation, remain the same as set forth in the original application.

The general construction of the device includes a guard composed, of two distinct members, together with means for laterally separating the members, whereby more or less of the edges of the double edged blade may be made available for cutting purposes. The invention is also of sufficient scope to include a blade composed of two laterally adjustable members used in connection with a stationary guard, since the same principle of operation may be employed to laterally adjust the blade members, giving the same results attained by the lateral separation or bringing together of the guard members. In the drawing, however, the divided guard is illustrated as it is believed to be the preferred form of construction, but it must be understood that the invention is not limited thereto.

Having briefly outlined my improved construction, I will proceed to describe the same in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawing, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In this drawing, Figure 1 is a view illustrating my improved safety razor with all the parts assembled. Fig. 2 is a similar view as seen from the opposite side. Fig. 3 is a view with the backing plate and the handle on the corresponding side removed, exposing the blade and a portion of the guard. Fig. 4 is a cross-section taken on the line 4—4, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section taken through the guard plate. Figs. 6 and 7 are cross-sections taken on the lines 6—6 and 7—7 respectively, of Fig. 1.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate the handle, which is composed of two parts 6 and 7. The part 7 of the handle is provided with an extension 7A, which engages the guard on one side. The blade 8 engages the guard on the opposite side from the handle part 7A; while the blade is held in place on the guard by a backing plate 9. This backing plate is provided with a projection 9A, adapted to enter a counterpart recess formed in the handle member 6, the extension 9A being beveled to hold it in place when inserted, except by movement in the reverse direction from that in which it entered the recess. The edges of this projection are beveled to extend underneath the edges of the recess as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. The extremity of the backing plate opposite the projection 9A is provided with a hook shaped part 9B, which is also beveled to engage a counterpart recess formed in the handle extension 7A. The hook 9B passes around one end of the blade 8. The backing plate is held in place by the two parts 9A and 9B, which fit tightly into their respective recesses in the respective handle members. At the same time the backing plate is readily removed by a longitudinal movement, whenever it is desirable to remove the blade. The blade is further held in place by small studs 10, with which the handle extension 7A is provided. These studs project between the two members of the guard, the latter being recessed on opposite sides of the studs, so that the studs shall not interfere with the closing movement of the guard members.

The guard is composed of two members 12, with which the blade 8 is in contact on one side, as heretofore explained. The portion of these guard members engaged by the blade is provided with teeth 12A on opposite sides, since the blade 8 is provided with two cutting edges which when the razor is in use are interchangeable, since either may be used at pleasure. The guard is further provided with extensions 12B, which are located between the handle members and are provided with inclined slots 12C, through which project small pins or studs 13, with which the handle member 7 is provided. The toothed parts of the guard are also provided with inclined slots 12C, through which pass small pins 13. These slots are arranged and inclined as shown in the drawing, whereby when the guard members are moved longitudinally in one direction, they are caused to separate or move away from each other laterally; while when they are moved longitudinally in the opposite direction, they are caused to approach each other laterally, whereby the guard is so regulated that the outer edges of the blade shall be nearer or farther away from the outer extremities of the teeth of the guard.

Near the extremity of the handle extensions of the guard members, each member is provided with a recess 14, the two recesses together forming a sort of socket for the head 15 of an adjusting screw 16, to which is applied a milled nut 17, which passes through openings 18 formed in the handle members, the opposite edges of the nut protruding from the handle members whereby the nut is accessible to the user for purposes of adjustment. By turning this nut, it is evident that the screw will be moved longitudinally in one direction or the other, according to the direction in which the nut is turned. If the nut is turned to move the screw toward the right, referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing, the guard members will be moved in a corresponding direction and will be made to approach each other by virtue of the inclined slots formed in the guard members and engaged by the pins of the handle member, as heretofore described. While if the nut is turned to move the screw toward the left, the guard members will be separated laterally by virtue of the inclined slots and pins, as will be readily understood. It will of course be understood that the nut 17 is retained by the handle and prevented from movement longitudinally on the shank of the screw. This being the case, as the nut is turned the screw will be moved longitudinally in the one direction or the other, for the purpose heretofore explained.

When the parts are assembled, the two handle members are connected by screws 19.

From the foregoing description the use of my improved device will be readily understood. Assuming that the parts of the device are assembled and the blade in position, it is only necessary to rotate the screw 17, in order to adjust the guard members laterally, so that the outer extremities of their teeth shall be nearer or farther away from the edges of the cutting blade. The device is then ready for use. After shaving the backing plate may be quickly removed by placing the thumb upon the roughened part 9C thereof and moving the latter longitudinally toward the left, referring to Fig. 1. The blade may then be lifted off from the studs 10, cleaned and placed back in position, after which the backing plate may be applied or returned to its normal position by a movement the reverse of that employed in detaching it.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A razor provided with a handle member having pins, and a guard composed of two members having slots inclined to the direction of the length of the guard, the said slots being engaged by the pins of the handle member, and means for moving the guard members longitudinally, whereby they are given a lateral movement toward or away from each other, as may be desired.

2. In a razor the combination with a holder, of a blade, a guard, one of the last named elements being composed of two laterally movable members and the other element being stationary, the two members of the one element being disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the holder, one of the said elements being provided with pins and the other element with slots engaged by pins, the said slots being inclined to the longitudinal axis of the holder, and means for moving one of said elements in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the holder, for the purpose set forth.

3. In a safety razor the combination with a holder, of a blade, a guard, one of the last named elements being composed of two laterally movable members, and the other element being stationary; the two members of the one element being disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the holder, one of the said elements being provided with pins and the other element with slots engaged by the pins, the said slots being inclined to the longitudinal axis of the holder, a screw whose head is connected with the element to be moved, and an adjusting nut applied to the screw, the said nut protruding through a recess in the holder, whereby it is locked against longitudinal movement on the screw.

4. A razor comprising a handle, a guard, a blade engaging the guard, and a backing plate engaging the blade on the opposite side from the guard, the backing plate being detachable by a movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the handle, the said plate having a projection at one extremity engaging a recess on one side of the handle, and a hook at the opposite extremity engaging a recess on the opposite side of the holder.

5. A razor comprising a handle, a guard, a blade engaging the guard, and a backing plate engaging the blade on the opposite side from the guard, the backing plate being detachable by a movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the handle, the said plate having a projection at one extremity engaging a recess in one side of the handle and a hook at the opposite extremity engaging a recess on the opposite side of the handle, the projection and hook of the backing plate having oppositely beveled edges with which the recesses of the handle are made to conform.

In testimony whereof he affixes his signature in presence of two witnesses.

John J. Meehan.

Witnesses:

A. J. O'Brien,

Dena Nelson.