U.S. patent application number 09/874279 was filed with the patent office on 2002-04-18 for combination holder and battery charger.
This patent application is currently assigned to Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Ganse, Keizo, Tanaka, Hideki, Watanabe, Aya, Yamaguchi, Takashi, Yamashita, Mikihiro.
Application Number | 20020043958 09/874279 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26593518 |
Filed Date | 2002-04-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020043958 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yamaguchi, Takashi ; et
al. |
April 18, 2002 |
COMBINATION HOLDER AND BATTERY CHARGER
Abstract
A combination holder and battery charger for holding a battery
operated electric appliance and also for recharging the battery in
the electric appliance includes a housing having top and bottom
surfaces opposite to each other. An auxiliary base stand is
operatively disposed on the bottom surface of the housing and
capable of assuming one of first and second states. This auxiliary
base stand when in the first position has at least a portion
thereof protruding laterally outwardly from a contour of the bottom
surface of the housing, but that portion of the auxiliary base
stand to enable the combination holder and battery charger to be
supported stably on a support surface. The combination holder and
battery charger may include a wall attachment for securement of the
combination charger and holder to a wall surface.
Inventors: |
Yamaguchi, Takashi; (Osaka,
JP) ; Watanabe, Aya; (Osaka, JP) ; Ganse,
Keizo; (Osaka, JP) ; Yamashita, Mikihiro;
(Osaka, JP) ; Tanaka, Hideki; (Osaka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON SPIVAK MCCLELLAND MAIER & NEUSTADT PC
FOURTH FLOOR
1755 JEFFERSON DAVIS HIGHWAY
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
US
|
Assignee: |
Matsushita Electric Works,
Ltd.
1048, Oaza-Kadoma
Osaka
JP
571-8686
|
Family ID: |
26593518 |
Appl. No.: |
09/874279 |
Filed: |
June 6, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
320/113 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 7/0044
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
320/113 |
International
Class: |
H02J 007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 7, 2000 |
JP |
2000-171267 |
Jun 7, 2000 |
JP |
2000-171268 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A combination holder and battery charger comprising: a housing
having top and bottom surfaces opposite to each other, said housing
accommodating therein a battery charger for recharging an electric
appliance; a holder mounted on the housing for sliding movement
between folded and operative positions, said holder, when slid to
the operative position, holding the electric appliance relative to
the housing during recharging of the electric appliance; and an
auxiliary base stand disposed on the bottom surface of the housing
and capable of assuming one of first and second states, at least a
portion of the auxiliary base stand when the latter is in the first
position protruding laterally outwardly from a contour of the
bottom surface of the housing, but that portion of the auxiliary
base stand when the latter is in the second position being folded
to be encompassed within the contour of the bottom surface of the
housing.
2. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
1, wherein the auxiliary base stand is pivotally connected to the
bottom surface of the housing by means of a bearing boss for
pivotal movement between the first and second positions.
3. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim 1
or 2, wherein the holder comprises a holder plate and a slide plate
lying perpendicular to the holder plate, said slide plate when the
holder moves between the folded and operative positions sliding
along a surface of the housing lying perpendicular to any one of
the top and bottom surfaces thereof, and wherein a portion of the
auxiliary base stand which aligns with a lower end of the slide
plate when the auxiliary base stand is in the second position is
depleted to define an access recess.
4. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
1, further comprising a camming rib mounted on the auxiliary base
stand for driving the holder at least from the folded position
towards the operative position in response to movement of the
auxiliary base stand from the second position towards the first
position.
5. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
2, further comprising a geared transmission mechanism for
transmitting movement of the auxiliary base stand between the first
and second positions to the holder to thereby drive the holder
between the folded and operative positions.
6. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
2, wherein the auxiliary base stand comprises a plurality of base
plates.
7. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
6, further comprising a gear member rotatable in unison with
pivotal movement of the base plates, said base plates being
drivingly connected with respective gear elements to synchronize
the pivotal movement of the base plates between the folded and
operative positions.
8. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
1, wherein the auxiliary base stand is supported for sliding
movement between the first and second positions along the bottom
surface of the housing.
9. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
1, wherein the auxiliary base stand comprises a plurality of base
plates supported for sliding movement between the first and second
positions along the bottom surface of the housing, and further
comprising a rack formed in each of the base plates and an
intermediate gear positioned between the neighboring base plates in
mesh with the associated racks to thereby synchronize movement of
the base plates between the first and second positions.
10. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
1, wherein the auxiliary base stand is provided with a cable
retainer for retaining an electric cable of the electric appliance
when the auxiliary base stand is in the second position.
11. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
11, wherein the cable retainer is mounted on the auxiliary base
stand for pivotal movement between folded and erected
positions.
12. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
11, wherein the cable retainer comprises a plurality of retainer
segments pivotally connected in series with each other.
13. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
10, wherein the cable retainer is provided with a plug constraint
for holding a plurality of plug elements of an electric connector
plug of the electric appliance.
14. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
1, wherein the auxiliary base stand is formed with an accommodating
means for accommodating at least one attachment of the electric
appliance.
15. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
1, wherein the top surface of the housing is formed with a
projection engageable in a recess formed in a bottom of the
electric appliance when the latter is mounted on the housing for
recharging.
16. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
1, further comprising a wall attachment adapted to allow the
combination holder and battery charger to be hung on and supported
by a support wall.
17. A combination holder and battery charger comprising: a housing
having top and bottom surfaces opposite to each other and a side
surface lying perpendicular to any one of the top and bottom
surfaces, said housing accommodating therein a battery charger for
recharging an electric appliance, said housing having slide grooves
formed on the side surface thereof so as to extend in a direction
perpendicular to any one of the top and bottom surfaces and spaced
a distance from each other; a holder mounted on the housing for
sliding movement between folded and operative positions for holding
the electric appliance relative to the housing when moved to the
operative position, said holder comprising a holder plate and a
slide plate lying perpendicular to the holder plate, said slide
plate having opposite side edges formed with respective slide rails
slidingly engageable in the associated slide grooves in the housing
to enable the holder to be moved between the folded and operative
positions with the holder plate moving close towards and away from
the top surface of the housing; and a wall attachment plate having
guide rails formed therewith, each of said guide rails slidingly
engageable in the associated slide groove in the housing.
18. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
17, wherein the guide rails of the wall attachment plate are
capable of being press-fitted in, but slidably engaged in the
respective slide grooves in the housing.
19. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
17 or 18, further comprising an auxiliary base stand disposed on
the bottom surface of the housing and capable of assuming one of
first and second states, at least a portion of the auxiliary base
stand when the latter is in the first position protruding laterally
outwardly from a contour of the bottom surface of the housing, but
that portion of the auxiliary base stand when the latter is in the
second position being folded to be encompassed within the contour
of the bottom surface of the housing, and wherein the slide plate
has a lower end positioned laterally of the auxiliary base stand,
then held in the second position, when the holder is moved to the
folded position.
20. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
17 or 18, wherein the wall attachment plate is formed with a base
support lying perpendicular thereto for support of the bottom
surface of the housing.
21. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
17 or 18, further comprising a retaining structure defined between
the wall attachment plate and the housing for retaining the housing
relative to the wall attachment plate when the guide rails of the
wall attachment plate are engaged in the slide grooves in the
housing.
22. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
17 or 18, further comprising a retaining structure defined between
the wall attachment plate and the slide plate of the holder for
retaining the housing relative to the wall attachment plate when
the guide rails of the wall attachment plate are engaged in the
slide grooves in the housing.
23. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
17 or 18, further comprising a support leg operatively coupled with
the holder plate for supporting the holder plate above the top
surface of the housing wherein when the holder is moved to the
operative position.
24. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
23, further comprising a protecting portion for protecting the
support leg when the holder is moved to the folded position.
25. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
17, further comprising a mirror pivotally mounted on the holder
plate.
26. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
17, further comprising a mirror mounted on the slide plate for
sliding movement relative to the slide plate.
27. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
17 or 18, wherein the holder plate has a holder pocket defined
therein for support of the electric appliance when the electric
appliance is inserted therethrough, and further comprising a mirror
pivotally supported by the holder plate for movement between a
folded position in which the mirror is completely received within
the holder pocket, and an erected position in which the mirror lies
perpendicular to the holder plate.
28. The combination holder and battery charger as claimed in claim
17 or 18, wherein the top surface of the housing is formed with a
projection engageable in a recess formed in a bottom of the
electric appliance when the latter is mounted on the housing for
recharging.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a combination
holder and battery charger for a battery operated home appliance
such as, for example, a rechargeable electric shaver, a
rechargeable hair curler, a rechargeable toothbrush and a battery
operated skin cleaner of a kind that requires, or is combined with,
a combination holder and battery charger.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] The battery operated home appliances of a kind referred to
above includes at least one built-in storage battery that requires
an occasional charging to electrically recharge it. A battery
charger for reenergize the built-in storage battery available
either in combination therewith or as an optional item is designed
to concurrently serves as a holder for supporting or holding the
elongated home appliance while the latter is not in use and/or
being recharged.
[0005] In recent years, some of the battery operated home
appliances are being manufactured with their size reduced, and the
combination holder and battery charger for use therewith is
correspondingly downsized for convenience of transportation from
place to place. When the combination holder and battery charger is
made compact and compact, the surface area of the bottom thereof
decreases correspondingly. Hence, the smaller the combination
holder and battery charger is, the more unstable it is on a
supporting surface, for example, a desk top or a shelf when the
home appliance is placed thereon. Considering that most of the
battery operated home appliances are of a generally elongated
configuration, exemplified by, for example, the electric shaver,
placement of the electric appliance in an upright position on the
combination holder and battery charger makes the assembly top-heavy
enough to overturn the assembly.
[0006] In order to secure the stability of the combination holder
and battery charger, it is necessary to fit a separate support
element to the combination holder and battery charger and/or to
modify the shape of the bottom of the combination holder and
battery charger to increase the surface area thereof. These
attempts, however, is in contradiction to downsizing. The use of
the separate support element appears not to be wise in that the
user would be forced to carry the separate support element together
with the assembly with the electric appliance retained in the
combination holder and battery charger.
[0007] Another problem arising from downsizing of the combination
holder and battery charger is found in difficulty in snugly and
neatly accommodating an electric wire which extends outwardly from
a charger unit built in the combination holder and battery charger
for electric connection with a domestic power outlet. As is well
known to those skilled in the art, one end of the electric wire
remote from the charger unit and, hence, the combination holder and
battery charger has a plug secured thereto, which plug has two or
three plug pin or blades for insertion into corresponding socket
slots of the domestic power outlet. Unless care is taken, the plug
pins or blades may give rise to damage to the surface finish of a
housing of either the electric appliance or the combination holder
and battery charger.
[0008] The combination holder and battery charger is known which
includes, in addition to the charger unit, a foldable holder
slidable relative to a housing between folded and operative
positions and a plate fixture for securement of the combination
holder and battery charger to a wall surface with the use of
fastening elements such as screws or nails. The holder includes an
embracing frame which, when, for example, the elongated electric
shaver is placed onto the combination holder and battery charger
while the holder is in the operative position, embraces the
electric shaver to retain it in an upright position to avoid
overturn or fall of the electric shaver. On the other hand, when
the holder is in the folded position, the combination holder and
battery charger represents a generally rectangular box-like
configuration, compact in size with no substantial projection which
would otherwise represented by the holder in the operative
position.
[0009] The combination holder and battery charger of a type
utilizing the plate fixture requires a mounting structure exposed
to the outside of the housing for accommodating the plate fixture
and, therefore, lacks a pleasing appearance. By way of example,
where the plate fixture prior to being secured to the wall surface
is fitted to the housing of the combination holder and battery
charger by the use of slide grooves formed in the housing and
cooperating slide rails formed in the plate fixture, the slide
rails tend to be exposed to the outside of the housing, resulting
in degradation of the aesthetic appearance.
[0010] Also, when the electric appliance is placed on and held by
the combination holder and battery charger, the electric appliances
imposes a load on the embracing frame and, therefore, the holder
tends to be slid downwardly, failing to hold the electric appliance
stably.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In view of those disadvantages and inconveniences found in
the prior art combination holder and battery chargers, the present
invention is intended to provide a combination holder and battery
charger for a battery operated home appliance which is effective to
hold the electric appliance stably with no need to use any separate
support element and/or to modify the bottom thereof to increase the
surface area.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide the
combination holder and battery charger of the type discussed above
wherein no mounting structure is exposed to the outside and which
is effective to hold the electric appliance without allowing the
embracing frame to be inadvertently slid downwardly.
[0013] In order to accomplish these and other objects and features
of the present invention, there is, in accordance with one aspect
thereof, provided a combination holder and battery charger for
holding a battery operated electric appliance and also for
recharging the battery in the electric appliance. The combined
holder and charger includes a housing having top and bottom
surfaces opposite to each other. A holder is mounted on the housing
for sliding movement between a folded position and an operative
positions in which the holder holds the electric appliance relative
to the housing during recharging of the electric appliance. An
auxiliary base stand is operatively disposed on the bottom surface
of the housing and capable of assuming one of first and second
states. This auxiliary base stand when in the first position has at
least a portion thereof protruding laterally outwardly from a
contour of the bottom surface of the housing, but that portion of
the auxiliary base stand to enable the combination holder and
battery charger to be supported stably on a support surface.
[0014] Preferably, the auxiliary base stand is pivotally connected
to the bottom surface of the housing by means of a bearing boss for
pivotal movement between the first and second positions.
[0015] The holder preferably includes a holder plate and a slide
plate lying perpendicular to the holder plate so that when the
holder moves between the folded and operative positions, the slide
plate can slide along a surface of the housing lying perpendicular
to any one of the top and bottom surfaces thereof. A portion of the
auxiliary base stand which aligns with a lower end of the slide
plate when the auxiliary base stand is in the second position is
preferably depleted to define an access recess.
[0016] If a camming rib is mounted on the auxiliary base stand, the
holder can be driven at least from the folded position towards the
operative position automatically in response to movement of the
auxiliary base stand from the second position towards the first
position. In place of the camming rib, a geared transmission
mechanism may be employed for transmitting movement of the
auxiliary base stand between the first and second positions to the
holder to thereby drive the holder between the folded and operative
positions.
[0017] In any event, the auxiliary base stand is preferably made up
of a plurality of base plates. Using a gear mechanism such as a
pinion-and-rack or a gear train, the base plates may be designed to
be driven in unison with each other in a plane parallel to the
bottom surface of the housing.
[0018] Preferably, the auxiliary base stand is provided with a
cable retainer for retaining an electric cable of the electric
appliance when the auxiliary base stand is in the second position.
This cable retainer may be mounted on the auxiliary base stand for
pivotal movement between folded and erected positions, or may
include a plurality of retainer segments pivotally connected in
series with each other. Also, the cable retainer may provided with
a plug constraint for holding a plurality of plug elements of an
electric connector plug of the electric appliance.
[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
combination holder and battery charger may include a wall
attachment adapted to allow the combination holder and battery
charger to be hung on and supported by a support wall. Where the
wall attachment is employed, the auxiliary base stand may be
dispensed with if so desired.
[0020] Where the wall attachment is employed, this wall attachment
plate should be provided with guide rails slidingly engageable in
the associated slide groove in the housing that are used to
accommodate the holder for movement between the folded and
operative positions.
[0021] In any event, these and other objects and features of the
present invention will become clear from the subsequent description
made in connection with some preferred embodiments thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The present invention will become readily understood from
the following description of preferred embodiments thereof made
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like parts
are designated by like reference numeral and in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a combination holder and
battery charger according to a first preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the combination
holder and battery charger of FIG. 1 held in an upright
position;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an auxiliary base stand
employed in the combination holder and battery charger of FIG.
1;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing a second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a bottom portion
of the combination holder and battery charger, showing the
auxiliary base stand according to a third embodiment of the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the auxiliary
base stand shown in FIG. 5;
[0029] FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic bottom plan view of the
combination holder and battery charger showing a base plate held in
different operative positions, respectively;
[0030] FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic transverse sectional views of
the combination holder and battery charger, showing the base plate
held in different operative positions corresponding those shown in
FIGS. 7A and 7B, respectively;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a schematic transverse sectional view of the
combination holder and battery charger according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIGS. 10A and 10B are schematic perspective views of the
combination holder and battery charger according to a fifth
embodiment of the present invention, with the auxiliary base stand
held in different operative positions, respectively;
[0033] FIGS. 11A and 11B are schematic bottom plan views of the
combination holder and battery charger according to a sixth
embodiment of the present invention, with the auxiliary base stand
held in different operative positions, respectively;
[0034] FIGS. 12A and 12B are schematic bottom plan views of the
combination holder and battery charger according to a seventh
embodiment of the present invention, with the auxiliary base stand
held in different operative positions, respectively;
[0035] FIG. 12C is a schematic cross sectional view taken along the
line C-C in FIG. 12B;
[0036] FIGS. 13A and 13B are schematic bottom plan views of the
combination holder and battery charger according to an eighth
embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 14A is a schematic bottom plan view of the combination
holder and battery charger according to a ninth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0038] FIG. 14B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the
line d-d in FIG. 14A;
[0039] FIGS. 15A and 15B are schematic perspective views of the
combination holder and battery charger according to a tenth
embodiment of the present invention, showing the auxiliary base
stand in different operative positions, respectively;
[0040] FIGS. 16A and 16B are schematic side sectional views of the
combination holder and battery charger according to an eleventh
embodiment of the present invention, showing the auxiliary base
stand in different operative positions, respectively;
[0041] FIGS. 17A and 17B are schematic side sectional views of the
combination holder and battery charger according to a twelfth
embodiment of the present invention, showing the auxiliary base
stand in different operative positions, respectively;
[0042] FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective view showing a portion of
the auxiliary base stand according to a thirteenth embodiment of
the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view showing a bottom
portion of the combination holder and battery charger according to
a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 20 is a schematic side view of the combination holder
and battery charger with an electric shaver mounted thereon
according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 21 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view showing
an upper portion of the combination holder and battery charger
shown in FIG. 20;
[0046] FIGS. 22A and 22B are schematic perspective views of the
combination holder and battery charger according to a sixteenth
embodiment of the present invention, showing a wall attachment held
in different operative positions, respectively;
[0047] FIGS. 23A and 23B are schematic perspective views, as viewed
from below, of the combination holder and battery charger according
to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, showing the wall
attachment held in different operative positions, respectively;
[0048] FIG. 24 is a fragmentary side sectional view of a portion of
the combination holder and battery charger according to an
eighteenth embodiment of the present invention;
[0049] FIGS. 25 and 26 are views similar to FIG. 24, showing the
combination holder and battery charger according to a nineteenth
embodiment of the present invention, with a holder held in
different operative positions, respectively;
[0050] FIGS. 27A and 27B are schematic perspective views showing
the combination holder and battery charger according to a twentieth
embodiment of the present invention, with the holder held in
different operative positions, respectively;
[0051] FIG. 28 is a schematic perspective view showing the
combination holder and battery charger according to a twenty-first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0052] FIGS. 29 and 30 are schematic perspective views of the
holder of the combination holder and battery charger according to a
twenty-second embodiment of the present invention, showing the
holder in different operative positions, respectively;
[0053] FIGS. 31 and 32 are schematic perspective views of the
holder of the combination holder and battery charger according to a
twenty-third embodiment of the present invention, showing the
holder in different operative positions, respectively; and
[0054] FIG. 33 is a schematic perspective view showing the
combination holder and battery charger according to a twenty-fourth
embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0055] In describing various preferred embodiments of the present
invention, the present invention will be described as applied to a
combination holder and battery charger for an electric shaver of a
generally elongated configuration. It is, however, to be noted that
the present invention is not always limited to application to the
electric shaver, but can be equally applied to any electric
appliance such as, for example, a rechargeable hair curler, a
rechargeable toothbrush and a battery operated skin cleaner or any
other appliance of a kind that requires, or is combined with, a
combination holder and battery charger.
[0056] First Embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 3)
[0057] Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 3, there is shown the
combination holder and battery charger according to a first
embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated combination
holder and battery charger includes a generally rectangular
box-like housing 2 accommodating fixedly an electric charger unit
23 therein and a holder 1 carried by the housing 2 for movement
between folded and operative positions as will be described later.
The housing 2 includes a generally rectangular top wall 2a, front
and rear walls 2b and 2c and a pair of side walls 2d, all of which
may be assembled of one-piece construction by the use of a plastics
molding technique so as to open downwardly. The housing 2 also
includes a bottom plate 3 used to close the bottom opening of the
housing 2 with the charger unit 23 encased therein.
[0058] An electric wire having one end provided with any known
connector plug 81 has the opposite end electrically connected with
the charger unit 23 within the housing 2 and extends outwardly
therefrom through an aperture defined in one of the side walls 2c
at a location adjacent the bottom opening.
[0059] The charging unit 23 may be of any known circuit structure,
but in the illustrated embodiment employs any known electromagnetic
induction system to recharge one or more storage batteries built in
the electric shaver 5. This electromagnetic induction system
requires no direct contact between terminal members in the charger
unit 23 and counter-terminal members in the electric shaver 5, both
of which are completely concealed. Therefore, neither is any
terminal member of the charger unit 23 exposed to the outside of
the housing 2, nor any counter-terminal member in the electric
shaver 5 is exposed to the outside of a housing of the electric
shaver 5. Instead, induction coils are used in both the electric
shaver 5 and the charger unit 23 so that the storage battery in the
electric shaver 5 can be reenergized by the charger unit 23 with
the respective induction coils held in the close vicinity of each
other while the charger is electrically driven. Since this
electromagnetic induction system of the kind referred to above is
well known in the art and is currently employed in some of electric
home appliances and does not constitute subject matter of the
present invention, the details thereof will not be reiterated for
the sake of brevity.
[0060] The bottom plate 3 is of a shape sufficient to allow it to
fit into the bottom opening of the housing 2 with its outer or
bottom surface held in flush with a plane of the bottom opening of
the housing 2. The bottom plate 3 has a base recess 33 formed
therein so as to be recessed a predetermined depth inwardly from
the bottom surface thereof, leaving opposite end walls 32 while
opening laterally outwardly in opposite directions. The bottom
plate 3 also has a bearing boss 31 of a height substantially equal
to or slightly smaller than the depth of the base recess 33 and
positioned at a geometric center of the shape of the bottom plate 3
so as to protrude outwardly, and includes an auxiliary base stand S
accommodated within the base recess 33 as will be described in
detail later. This bottom plate 3 may be set in position by means
of bonding or by the use of a pawl and slot engagement system with
or without at least one fastening element such as a screw with the
auxiliary base stand S oriented outwardly. As will become clear
from the subsequent description, an inner face of each of the end
walls 32 confronting the base recess 33 is inwardly recessed to
define a rounded inner face having the center of curvature lying in
alignment with a longitudinal axis of the bearing boss 31.
[0061] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the auxiliary base
stand S is in the form of a generally rectangular rotary base plate
4 having a bearing hole 41 defined therein at a location aligned
with a geometric center of the shape of the base plate 4 which is,
as will become clear from the subsequent description, in alignment
with the bearing boss 31 in the bottom plate 3. This base plate 4
is of a thickness substantially equal to the depth of the base
recess 33 in the bottom plate 3 and also has its opposite ends
rounded so as to occupy diametrically opposite portions of the
shape of a circle with its center lying in alignment with the
geometric center thereof. This base plate 4 is rotatably
accommodated within the base recess 33 in the bottom plate 3 with
the bearing boss 31 engaged in the bearing hole 41. It will readily
be seen that in an assembled condition with the base plate 4
situated within the base recess 33 as shown in FIG. 3, the base
plate 4 is rotatable about the bearing boss 31. Preferably, this
base plate 4 has a width equal to the width of the bottom plate 3
and a maximum length slightly smaller than the maximum distance
between the rounded inner faces of the end walls 32 passing through
the bearing boss 41.
[0062] In order to allow the base plate 4 within the base recess 33
to rotate to a position where it lies perpendicular to the bottom
plate 3 then set in position within the bottom opening of the
housing 2, a bottom edge portions of each of the front and rear
walls 2b and 2c is depleted inwardly to define a respective
escapement recess 24. This escapement recess 24 is so sized as to
accommodate not only the thickness of the base plate 4, but also a
free revolution of the base plate 4 about the bearing boss 31.
[0063] In the structure described above, respective lower end faces
25 of the opposite side walls 2d of the housing 2, which are in
flush with the plane of the bottom opening of the housing 2, and
respective end faces of the end walls 32, which are, in a
completely assembled condition, held in flush with the lower end
faces 25 altogether form a load support that rests on and are held
in contact with a support surface such as, for example, a desk top
or a dresser shelf to thereby support the entire weight of the
electric shave 5 and the charger unit 23.
[0064] The housing 2 is provided with generally L-sectioned rail
members formed integrally therewith to define mutually confronting
slide grooves 7 that extend along opposite ends of the rear wall 2c
in a direction perpendicular to a plane of rotation of the base
plate 4. A space adjacent an outer surface of the rear wall 2c and
bound between the slide grooves 7 defines a slide space 21 as will
become clear later.
[0065] The holder 1 carried by the housing 2 for movement between
folded and operative positions includes a generally rectangular
holder plate 11 and a slide plate 12 formed integrally with the
holder plate 11 so as to lie perpendicular to the holder plate 11.
The holder plate 11 may have a maximum size equal to the size of
the top wall 2a and is apertured to define a holder pocket 13
therein. The holder pocket 13 is of a size and shape which are
determined by a transverse sectional shape of the electric shaver 5
and is used to support the electric shaver 5, then inserted
therethrough with its bottom resting on the top wall 2a, at a level
spaced above the top wall 2a of the housing 2 and corresponding to
the operative position for the holder 1.
[0066] The slide plate 12 includes a plate body 14 of a size
corresponding to the size of the slide space 21 and slide rails 15
protruding laterally outwardly from opposite side edges of the
plate body 14 and having a sectional configuration matching with
the sectional shape of the corresponding slide groove 7 in the
housing 2. This slide plate 12 is mounted on the housing 2 with the
slide rails 15 slidingly engaged in the slide grooves 7 so that the
slide plate 12 and, hence, the holder 1 can move between the folded
and operative position in a direction perpendicular to the top wall
2a of the housing 2.
[0067] In the structure described above, when the holder 1 is in
the folded position, the apertured holder plate 11 is generally
held in contact with the top wall 2a of the housing 2 while the
plate body 11 of the slide plate 12 is accommodated within the
slide space 21. However, when the holder 1 is moved to the
operative position, only an upper portion of the plate body 14
protrudes outwardly from the housing 2 while the apertured holder
plate 11 is spaced a distance above the top wall 2a of the housing
2 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.
[0068] When the combination holder and battery charger is in use
for recharging the storage battery in the electric shaver 5, the
user has to slide the holder 1 relative to the housing 2 to bring
it to the operative position and then to mount the electric holder
on the housing 2 through the holder pocket 13. At this time, the
electric shaver 5 stands above the top wall 2a of the housing 2
with an intermediate portion thereof extending through the holder
pocket 13 as shown in FIG. 2. Prior to the mounting of the electric
shaver 5, however, the user has to turn the base plate 4 about the
bearing boss 31 so as to lie at right angles to the bottom plate 3
and then places the combination holder and battery charger on the
support surface (not shown).
[0069] The slide rails 15 are preferably slightly oversized
relative to the size of the slide grooves 7 so that the slide rails
15 can be inserted in the respective slide grooves 7 under
interference fit, wherefore, the holder 1 slid to the operative
position can be retained in the operative position stably by the
effect of a friction developed between outer surfaces of the slide
rails 15 and inner surfaces of the slide grooves 7, with the
apertured holder plate 11 snugly holding the electric shaver 5.
Although at this time the assembly including the combination holder
and battery charger and the electric shaver 5 mounted thereon has
its center of gravity positioned at a high level above the holder
1, the assembly can be stably supported by the load support and the
base plate 4 then lying perpendicular to the bottom plate 3, both
of which are then held in contact with the support surface, and
accordingly the assembly as a whole can be supported in an upright
position stably.
[0070] When the combination holder and battery charger is not in
use, the holder 2 is held at the folded position with the apertured
holder plate 11 held in abutment with the top wall 2a of the
housing 2 and the base plate 4 is held in position to lie parallel
to the bottom plate having been snugly accommodated within the base
recess 33 as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, it will readily be seen that
the combination holder and charged when not in use is compact in
size and convenient for transportation from place to place. At the
same time, the slide space 21 is completely filled up by the plate
body 14 of the slide plate 12 with the slide rails 15 completely
concealing the respective slide grooves 7 as shown in FIG. 3,
rendering the combination holder and battery charger as a whole to
be pleasant to look at. It is particularly to be noted that the
slide plate 12 may have a length, as measured in a direction
conforming to the direction of slide of the slide plate 12, which
may be so selected that when the holder 1 is in the folded position
as shown in FIG. 3 one of the escapement recesses 24 that is
defined in the rear wall 2c can be closed by a lower end of the
slide plate 12 as shown in FIG. 3 to thereby prevent the base plate
4 from being arbitrarily rotated about the bearing boss 31 and also
to provide a sophisticated outer appearance.
[0071] If desired, the foregoing embodiment of the combination
holder and battery charger may include a wall attachment 6 which
will be described in detail later and which can be used when the
combination holder and battery charger is desired to be fitted to
an upright wall surface or a wall-hung cabinet. Briefly speaking,
the wall attachment 6 shown therein is of a shape substantially
similar to the slide plate 12, but has a size smaller than the
length of the slide plate 12. However, in the practice of the
embodiment shown in FIGS., 1 to 3, the use of the wall attachment 6
is not essential.
[0072] Second Embodiment (FIG. 4)
[0073] In an embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the housing 2 has its
bottom formed with a bottom plate chamber 26 in the form of a
cavity opening downwardly of the housing 2 and also laterally
outwardly in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal sense of
the bottom of the housing 2, and the bearing boss 31 is formed at a
geometric center of the shape of the bottom plate chamber 26 so as
to protrude downwardly. One of opposite sides of the bottom plate
chamber 26 is formed so as to communicate with a lower end of the
slide space 21. The load support 27 in the embodiment shown in FIG.
4 for supporting the housing 2 is defined at the bottom of the
housing 2 at a location adjacent each of the opposite side walls 2d
so as to protrude downwardly from a level flush with an upper
bottom surface of the bottom plate chamber 26, and has an inner
face inwardly recessed to define a rounded inner face having the
center of curvature lying in alignment with a longitudinal axis of
the bearing boss 31.
[0074] The base plate 4 rotatable about the bearing boss 31 is of a
shape similar to the shape of the bottom plate chamber 26, having a
length slightly smaller than the maximum distance between the
rounded inner faces of the load supports 27 and a width generally
equal to the width of the bottom plate 3. At a position immediately
below the lower end of the slide plate 12, one of opposite sides of
the base plate 4 is formed with an access recess 42 extending
inwardly thereof so that when the holder 1 is held at the folded
position, that lower end of the slide plate 12 can be exposed to
the outside through the access recess 42. Since the lower end of
the slide plate 12 is exposed to the outside through the access
recess 42 as described above, a finger pressure necessary to push
the slide plate 12 to bring the holder 1 towards the operative
position can easily be applied to the slide plate 12 through the
access recess 42.
[0075] An idea similar to that envisioned in this second embodiment
of FIG. 4 may be equally applied to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1
to 3 so that not only can the folded position for the holder 1 be
defined by that side edge of the base plate 4, but also the user's
finger can make access to the lower end of the slide plate 12 from
below through a similar access recess defined in an intermediate
portion of that side edge of the base plate 4.
[0076] Third Embodiment (FIGS. 5 to 8A)
[0077] In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 8B, and referring
particularly to FIG. 5, the top wall 2a of the housing 2 is partly
stepped down to define a storage space 22 of a size sufficient to
accommodate the apertured holder plate 11 therein. Specifically,
when the holder 1 is in the folded position, the apertured holder
plate 11 is nested within the storage space 22 with its top surface
held in flush with a top surface of the top wall 2a of the housing
2. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the bottom plate 3 in this embodiment
is formed integrally with the housing 2.
[0078] The combination holder and battery charger may additionally
include a linkage means is provided for drivingly linking the
holder 1 and the base plate 4 together such that as the base plate
4 is turned about the bearing boss 31 the holder 1 can be moved
with the slide plate 12 guided by the slide grooves 7. In the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 8B, the linkage means includes a
camming rib 43 provided on an upper surface of the base plate 4 at
a location offset from the bearing hole 41. This camming rib 43 has
a cam top 45 and a cam slope 44 continued from the cam top 45 and
inclined downwardly therefrom towards the upper surface of the base
plate 4 as best shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.
[0079] The camming rib 43 is so positioned that a lower end face of
the slide plate 12 can rest on the upper surface of the base plate
4 when and so long as the holder 1 is held in the folded position
as shown in FIG. 8A, but can slidingly ride over the cam slope 44
as the base plate 4 is turned about the bearing boss 31 in a
direction, for example, clockwise as viewed in FIGS. 7A and 7B and
subsequently rest on the cam top 45 when the holder 1 arrives at
the operative position as shown in FIG. 8B. As a matter of design,
with the holder 1 held at the operative position, the base plate 4
lies at right angles to the longitudinal sense of the bottom plate
3 with its opposite end portions laterally outwardly exposed from
the front and rear walls 2b and 2c of the housing 2.
[0080] Turns of the base plate about the bearing boss 31 in a
direction counter to that described above, that is,
counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 7A and 7B allows the slide
plate 12 to be lowered in dependence on the position of the camming
rib 43. Thus, it will readily be seen that turn of the base plate 4
between protruding and retracted positions about the bearing boss
31 results in movement of the holder 1 between the operative and
folded positions. Accordingly, it is not necessary for the user to
manipulate both of the holder 1 and the base plate 4, but to simply
turn the base plate 4.
[0081] Fourth Embodiment (FIG. 9)
[0082] In an embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the linkage means
referred, to hereinbefore includes a geared motion translator made
up of a crown gear 19 rotatable in a plane parallel to the bottom
plate 3, a sprocket wheel 22 rotatable in a plane perpendicular to
the bottom plate 3 and meshed with the crown gear 19 and a rack 12
formed on an inner surface of the slide plate 12 and meshed with
the sprocket wheel 22. In view of the use of the geared motion
translator, the bearing boss 31 is superseded by a stud shaft 40
having one end integral with the base plate 4 and the opposite end
coupled coaxially with the crown gear 19 within the housing 2, a
generally intermediate portion of said stud shaft 40 extending
rotatably through a bearing hole 34 defined in the bottom plate 3.
Accordingly, turn of the base plate 4 is accompanied by
simultaneous rotation of the crown gear 19.
[0083] The sprocket wheel 22 meshed with the rack 16 on one hand
and with the crown gear 19 on the other hand is supported within
the housing 2 by means of an axis extending widthwise of the
housing 2 or in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of
the bottom plate 3. Accordingly, it will readily be seen that as
the base plate 4 is turned about the bearing hole 34 from the
retracted position towards the projecting position, the crown gear
19 rotatable together with the base plate 4 causes the sprocket
wheel 22 to rotate about the axis thereof, which in turn drives the
rack 16 and, hence, the slide plate 12 to move the holder 1 from
the folded position towards the operative position.
[0084] Thus, as is the case with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to
8A, it is not necessary for the user to manipulate both of the
holder 1 and the base plate 4, but to simply turn the base plate
4.
[0085] Fifth Embodiment (FIGS. 10A and 10B)
[0086] In this embodiment, the auxiliary base stand S includes
generally rectangular slide bases 43a and 43a of a substantially
equal size. To accommodate the slide bases 43a and 43c in a manner
as will be described later, the bottom of the housing 2 is provided
with generally L-sectioned rail members formed integrally therewith
to define mutually confronting bottom slide grooves 35 that extend
along opposite ends of the bottom plate 3 in a direction
perpendicular to a plane of movement of the slide plate 12. A space
adjacent an outer bottom surface of the bottom plate 3 and bound
between the bottom slide grooves 35 defines the base space 33 in
which the slide plates 43a and 43b are slidably accommodated in
side-by-side fashion with each other.
[0087] Specifically, the slide bases 43a and 43b are relatively
slidably connected together by means of a slide groove 45 and a
slide rail 44 that are defined in mating side edges thereof. In the
illustrated embodiment, the slide groove 45 is shown as formed in
the side edge of the slide base 43a whereas the slide rail 44 is
defined in the side edge of the slide base 43b. The opposite side
edge of each of the slide bases 43a and 43b is formed with a slide
rail 43a or 44a which is slidably engaged in the respective bottom
slide groove 35.
[0088] The auxiliary base stand S employed in the embodiment shown
in FIGS. 10A and 10B is so designed and so configured that
respective bottom surfaces of the slide bases 43a and 43b are in
flush with each other and also with the end faces of the end walls
32, to thereby define the load support that rests on and are held
in contact with the support surface and that the slide bases 43a
and 43b can be slidable between projecting and retracted positions
in a direction widthwise of the bottom plate 3 of the housing 2.
Thus, when the combination holder and battery charger is not in
use, the combination holder and battery charger represents such a
shape as shown in FIG. 10A having a substantially flat bottom with
the slide bases 43a and 43b held in the retracted position, whereas
when it is in use the slide bases 43a and 43b are slid to the
projected positions with respective parts thereof protruding
laterally outwardly. In practice, the slide bases 43a and 43b are,
when the combination holder and battery charger is in use, slide to
the projected position in respective directions opposite to each
other as shown in FIG. 10B so that the assembly including the
combination holder and battery charger with the electric shaver
mounted thereon can be supported on the support surface stably.
[0089] In any event, even the combination holder and battery
charger according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B can
function in a manner substantially similar to that according to any
one of the foregoing embodiments, with similar meritorious effects
brought about thereby.
[0090] Sixth Embodiment (FIGS. 11A and 11B)
[0091] In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the auxiliary
support stand S includes two slide bases 43x and 43y supported and
slidable within the base recess 33 in a manner similar to the slide
bases 43a and 43b employed in the previously described embodiment.
However, the slide bases 43x and 43y are relatively movably coupled
together not by a rail-and-groove engagement system such as
employed in the previously described embodiment, but by a
rack-and-pinion system which will now be described.
[0092] A portion of the length of one of the opposite side edges of
the slide base 43x which confronts the slide base 43y is formed
with a rack 46a and, on the other hand, a portion of the length of
one of the opposite side edges of the slide base 43y which
confronts the slide base 43x is similarly formed with a rack 46b. A
pinion gear 36 rotatably connected to the bottom plate 3 by means
of a stud shaft at a location aligned with a geometric center of
the shape of the bottom plate 3 intervenes between the slide bases
43x and 43y and are meshed with the racks 46a and 46b. The racks
46a and 46b formed in the respective slide bases 43x and 43y extend
respective directions counter to each other with respect to the
pinion gear 36 and are positioned symmetrical with respect to the
pinion gear 36 such that slide of one of the slide bases 43x and
43y in one direction results in slide of the other of the slide
bases 43x and 43y in a direction counter to the direction of
movement of such one of the slide bases 43x and 43y as best shown
in FIG. 11B.
[0093] Except that the slide bases 43x and 43y are so drivingly
coupled with each other by means of the rack-and-pinion system
making it possible for the user to apply a pushing force only to
one of the slide bases 43x and 43y to move the latter towards the
projecting position in respective directions opposite to each
other, the combination holder and battery charger according to the
embodiment of FIGS. 11A and 11B functions in a manner similar to,
and brings about effects similar to that shown in FIGS. 10A and
10B.
[0094] Seventh Embodiment (FIGS. 12A to 12C)
[0095] The auxiliary support stand S employed in this embodiment
includes two rotary bases 38a and 38b operatively accommodated
within the base recess 33 in the bottom plate 3 for rotation
between retracted and projecting positions about respective pivot
pins 37a and 37b. Each of the rotary bases 38a and 38b is generally
sector-shaped having a generally right-angled corner where a
bearing hole 41 is formed. The pivot pins 37a and 37b rotatably
extends through the associated bearing holes 41 in the rotary bases
38a and 38b and are then tapped into bearing recesses 38 as shown
in FIG. 12C. It is to be noted that respective axes of rotation of
the generally sector-shaped rotary bases 38a and 38b which are in
alignment with the pivot pins 37a and 37b are positioned on
respective sides with respect to the longitudinal axis of the
bottom plate 3 and also on respective sides of a mid-center line
drawn perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bottom plate 3
and extending widthwise of the bottom plate 3, and are symmetrical
with each other with respect to a geometric center of the shape of
the bottom plate 3.
[0096] As a matter of design, the center of curvature of each of
the generally sector-shaped rotary bases 38a and 38b lies in
alignment with the respective pivot pin 37a or 37b and,
accordingly, as viewed in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the rotary base 38a,
when moved towards the projecting position, protrudes laterally
outwardly from the housing 2 in one direction whereas the rotary
base 38b when moved towards the projected position protrudes
laterally outwardly from the housing 2 in a direction counter to
such one direction. During rotation of the rotary bases 38a and 38b
in the respective directions, the both will interfere neither with
each other nor with the end walls 32 and, therefore, such rotation
takes place smoothly.
[0097] Eighth Embodiment (FIGS. 13A and 13B)
[0098] The auxiliary support stand S employed in this embodiment
shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B includes two pairs of generally
rectangular rotary bases 4w to 4z of an equal size, each pair
positioned adjacent the respective end wall 32 of the bottom plate
3. The rotary bases 4w to 4z are pivotally mounted on respective
bearing pins 37w to 37z which are positioned so as to occupy four
corners of the shape of a square, in a symmetrical relation with
respect to and adjacent the geometric center of the bottom plate 3.
Opposite ends of each of the rotary bases 4w to 4z are rounded with
its center of curvature aligned with the associated bearing pin 37w
to 37z, but the radius of curvature of one of those opposite ends
adjacent the end wall 32 is greater than that of the other of those
opposite ends such that turn of those rotary bases 4w to 4z about
the associated bearing pins 37w to 37z will not interfere with each
other.
[0099] The rotary bases 34w to 34z are so sized that in a condition
in which they are held at the retracted position and are neatly
accommodated within the base recess 33 as shown in FIG. 13A, the
rotary bases 34w, 34x or 34y, 34z of each pair can be disposed in
side-by-side fashion relative to each other with their longitudinal
axes lying parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bottom plate 3
without laterally protruding outwardly from the housing. However,
when in use, they should be turned about the associated bearing
pins 37w to 37z to assume the protruding position in which the
rotary bases 34w, 34x or 34y, 34z of each pair can protrude
laterally outwardly from the housing in respective directions
opposite to each other and parallel with the next adjacent rotary
bases 34w, 34x or 34y, 34z of the other pair as shown in FIG.
13B.
[0100] Ninth Embodiment (FIGS. 14A and 14B)
[0101] The auxiliary support stand S employed in this embodiment
shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B is substantially similar to that shown
in FIGS. 12A to 12C, but differs therefrom in that in this
embodiment the linkage means is employed for drivingly linking the
rotary bases 38a and 38b together such that turn of one of the
rotary bases 38a and 38b in one direction results in synchronized
turn of the other of the rotary bases 38a and 38b in a direction
opposite to such direction.
[0102] As clearly shown in FIG. 14B, the rotary bases 38a and 38b
have acute angled corners positioned at respective locations
laterally offset from the geometric center of the shape of the
bottom plate 3 where an intermediate gear 39 is rotatably mounted.
This intermediate gear 39 is meshed with two gears 47a and 47b
positioned on respective sides thereof and rotatable together with
the associated rotary bases 38a and 38b. The rotary bases 38a and
38b together with the associated gears 47a and 47b are accommodated
within the base recess 33 and rotatably supported by pivot pins 37a
and 37b each having its opposite ends inserted into the acute
angled corner of the rotary base 38a or 38b and the bottom plate
3.
[0103] Respective axes of rotation of the sector-shaped rotary
bases 38a and 38b, which are defined by the pivot pins 37a and 37b,
relative to the axis of rotation of the intermediate gear 39 are so
positioned that when the rotary bases 38a and 38b are in the
retracted position as shown in FIG. 14A, the both can be neatly
accommodated within the base recess 33 without protruding laterally
outwardly therefrom, but when they are turned to the projecting
position in unison with each other, the rotary bases 38a and 38b
protrude laterally outwardly from the base recess 33 in respective
directions opposite to each other in a manner substantially similar
to FIG. 12B.
[0104] Tenth Embodiment (FIGS. 15A and 15B)
[0105] While any of the foregoing embodiments has been directed
primarily to the auxiliary support stand S, an embodiment shown in
FIGS. 15A and 15B, as well as embodiments shown respectively in
FIGS. 16A and 16B, FIGS. 17A and 17B and FIG. 18, is directed to an
electric wire retainer and is applicable to the combination holder
and battery charger of the structure wherein the auxiliary support
stand S is comprised of the slide bases such as shown in FIGS. 10A
and 10B and FIGS. 11A and 11B. For the purpose of description, the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B will be described as applied
to the combination holder and battery charger of the structure
shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B.
[0106] Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B in combination with FIGS. 15A
and 15B, one of the slide bases, for example, the slide base 43a is
formed integrally with an upright retainer 91 lying perpendicular
to the slide base 43a so as to protrude upwardly along an outer
surface of the slide plate 12 of the holder 1. When and so long as
the slide base 43a is in the retracted position as shown in FIGS.
10A and 15A, the upright retainer 91 is held in contact with the
outer surface of the slide plate 12, but when the slide base 43a is
slid to the projecting position as shown in FIGS. 10B and 15B, the
upright retainer 91 is spaced apart from the outer surface of the
slide plate 12 to define a wire retainer unit 9 for accommodating a
bundle of folded turns of the electric wire 8 in a manner as shown
in FIG. 15B.
[0107] The bundle of folded turns of the electric wire 8 may be
encircled by a hook, circlip or elastic band so that the folded
turns of the electric wire 8 can be snugly and neatly accommodated
within the wire retainer unit 9 during transportation of the
combination holder and battery charger without giving rise to
damage to the outer finish of the housing 2.
[0108] Eleventh Embodiment (FIGS. 16A and 16B)
[0109] An embodiment shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B may be a
modification of the previously described embodiment of FIGS. 15A
and 15B. While in the embodiment of FIGS. 15A and 15B the upright
retainer 91 has been shown as formed integrally with the slide base
43a, a retainer 91 a functionally similar to the upright retainer
91 a is supported by the slide base 43a for pivotal movement
between a folded position as shown in FIG. 16A and an erected
position as shown in FIG. 16B about a pivot shaft. An end portion
of an upper surface of the slide base 43a adjacent the pivotable
retainer 91a is inwardly recessed to depleted a recess 49 of a
depth substantially equal to the thickness of the pivotable
retainer 91a so that when the latter is in the folded position, the
pivotable plate 91 a can be completely accommodated therein without
disturbing a free slide movement of the slide base 43a between the
protruding position and the retracted position. As a matter of
course, when while the slide base 43a is in the protruding
position, the pivotable retainer 91a is pivoted from the folded
position to the erected position, the wire retainer unit 9 is
defined between the outer surface of the slide plate 12 and the
pivotable retainer 91a in a manner similar to that shown in FIG.
15B.
[0110] Twelfth Embodiment (FIGS. 17A and 17B)
[0111] An embodiment shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B may also be another
modification of the previously described embodiment of FIGS. 15A
and 15B, but is rather similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16A
and 16B. A wire retainer 9b shown therein is comprised of a
plurality of retainer segments 92 connected in series with each
other by means of pins 93 in a manner generally similar to a roller
chain. This wire retainer 9b is carried by the slide base 43a for
pivotal movement between a retracted position, in which as shown in
FIG. 17A, the wire retainer 9 lies flat against an undersurface of
the slide base 43a, and a holding position in which as shown in
FIG. 17B the wire retainer 9b has been pivoted in a direction shown
by the arrow so as to extend upwardly along the slide plate 12.
[0112] The wire retainer 91b when in the retracted position as
shown in FIG. 17A, the wire retainer 9 is held flat against the
undersurface of the slide base 43a without providing any projection
from the housing 2. However, when in the holding position as shown
in FIG. 17B, the wire retainer 91b having been pivoted in the
direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 17B can be curved to grip the
folded turns of the electric wire 8 to enclose the folded turns of
the electric wire 8 within the retainer unit 9. Accordingly, as
compared with the embodiments shown respectively in FIGS. 15A and
15B and FIGS. 16A and 16B, the electric wire 8 can be firmly
retained.
[0113] Thirteenth Embodiment (FIG. 18)
[0114] This embodiment shown in FIG. 18 is applicable particularly
to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B. In this embodiment,
in order to prevent the connector plug 81 of the electric wire from
arbitrarily moving, for example, even though the folded turns of
the electric wire 8 have been retained in the retainer unit 9
defined between the upright retainer 91 and the slide plate 12, an
outer surface of the upright retainer 91 formed with a plug
constraint 94 made up of a pair of plug sheaths 95. Since the
connector plug 81 shown in FIG. 18 is of a type having a pair of
plug blades 82, the plug sheaths 95 has correspondingly shaped
sockets 96 defined therein for receiving and retaining the plug
blades 82. As a matter of course, where the plug 81 is of a type
having plug pins, the plug sheaths have to be formed with round
holes corresponding in shape to the plug pins. Although the pair of
the plug sheaths 95 may be oriented in any desired direction, it is
preferable that the pair of the plug sheaths 95 are oriented
horizontally.
[0115] Fourteenth Embodiment (FIG. 19)
[0116] An embodiment shown in FIG. 19 is applicable particularly to
the combination holder and battery charger of the structure
according to any one of the embodiments shown respectively in FIGS.
1 to 3, FIG. 4, FIGS. 5 to 8 and FIG. 9. The embodiment shown in
FIG. 19 is featured in that means 410 for accommodating accessory
parts of the electric appliance is formed in the base plate 4. For
example, where the electric appliance is an electric shaver such as
in the illustrated embodiments, a shaver brush and a compact mirror
can be accommodated in the rotary base plate 4. For the purpose of
this embodiment, however, the rotary base plate 4 has a substantial
thickness as compared with that in any one of the embodiments shown
respectively in FIGS. 1 to 3, FIG. 4, FIGS. 5 to 8 and FIG. 9 and,
correspondingly, the base recess 33 defined in the bottom plate 3
has a corresponding depth sufficient to accommodate the base plate
4.
[0117] The rotary base plate 4 has a generally rectangular cavity
411 defined therein so as to be depressed inwardly from the bottom
surface thereof and open laterally outwardly in respective
directions opposite to each other and transverse to the
longitudinal sense of the base plate 4, leaving side walls adjacent
the respective ends thereof. The side walls are formed with
respective guide grooves 413 defined therein so as to extend
parallel to each other in a direction transverse to the
longitudinal sense of the base plate 4 and communicated with the
cavity 411.
[0118] A generally center area of the rotary base plate 4 is formed
with a brush chamber 412 for accommodating a shaver brush 418
therein.
[0119] The rotary base plate 4 includes a generally rectangular
slide lid 414 having its opposite side edge formed with respective
guide rails 416 protruding laterally outwardly therefrom in
respective directions opposite to each other. This rectangular
slide lid 414 has a transverse sectional shape conforming to the
cross section of the cavity 411 taken along the line parallel to
the longitudinal sense of the base plate 4 and, accordingly, the
slide lid 414 can be inserted into the cavity 411 with the guide
rails 416 slidingly engaged in the guide grooves 413 to thereby
fill up the cavity 411 with the brush chamber 412 consequently
closed thereby.
[0120] One of opposite surfaces of the slide lid 414 which faces
outwards and, hence, serves as a bottom of the assembly is provided
with a mirror 417 which can be utilized by the user during
shaving.
[0121] Thus, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, shaving
utensils such as the mirror 417 and the brush 418 can be
conveniently contained in the combination holder and battery
charger without interfering the functionality of the rotary base
plate 3.
[0122] Fifteenth Embodiment (FIGS. 20 and 21)
[0123] An embodiment shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 is applicable to any
one of the foregoing embodiments as well as any one of subsequently
described embodiments of the present invention and is featured in
that the outer surface of the top wall 2a of the housing 2 is
formed with a projection 27 that can engage in a recess 51 formed
in a bottom end of the electric shaver 5. The recess 51 defined in
the bottom end of the electric shaver 5 so as to open downwardly is
in the form of a boss hole for concealing a fastening element 52
such as a screw and, accordingly, the projection 27 integral or
rigid with the top wall 2a of the housing 2 is so positioned and so
configured as to engage in the recess 51 when the holder 2 is moved
to the operative position and the electric shaver 5 is mounted on
the combination holder and battery charger so that the electric
shaver 5 can be securely supported in the upright positions without
allowing the bottom portion thereof being displaced sideways.
Preferably, the projection 27 has a diameter generally equal or
slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the recess 51 and a
length generally equal to or slightly smaller than the depth of the
recess 51.
[0124] Sixteenth Embodiment (FIGS. 1, 22A and 22B)
[0125] This embodiment particularly shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B
requires the use of the wall attachment 6 briefly discussed in
connection with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 for allowing
the combination holder and battery charger to be fitted to an
upright wall surface or a wall-hung cabinet. As previously
described, speaking, the wall attachment 6 shown therein is of a
shape substantially similar to the slide plate 12, but has a size
smaller than the length of the slide plate 12. This wall attachment
6 includes a generally rectangular plate body 61 having a thickness
preferably equal to that of the slide plate 12 and also having its
opposite side edges formed with guide rails 62 slidingly engageable
in the housing 2 along with the slide plate 12 of the holder 2. One
of the opposite surfaces of the plate body 61 adapted to face
towards the rear wall 2c of the housing 2 is inwardly recessed to
define an inner recess 51. The plate body 61 is formed with two
fitting holes through which set screws 64 (FIG. 1) are passed to
secure the wall attachment 6 to the support wall so that the
combination holder and battery charger can be hung thereon.
[0126] As is the case with the slide rails 15 in the slide plate
12, the guide rails 62 are preferably slightly oversized relative
to the size of the slide grooves 7 so that the guide rails 62 can
be inserted in the respective slide grooves 7 under interference
fit, so that the combination holder and battery charger can, when
hung onto the wall attachment 6 in the manner described above, will
not fall downwards.
[0127] When the combination holder and battery charger is to be
hung on the wall attachment 6 then secured to the support wall, the
combination holder and battery charger has to be mounted onto the
wall attachment from above so that the guide rails 62 integral with
the plate body 61 can be guided in and slide along the slide
grooves 7 from below relative to the housing 2. As the plate body
61 is inserted in the slide space 21, an upper edge of the plate
body 61 pushed the slide plate 12 upwardly, allowing the holder 2
to shift from the folded position towards the operative position as
shown in FIG. 22B.
[0128] Pull of the housing 2 upwardly relative to the wall
attachment 6, leaving the wall attachment 6 therebelow results in
separation of the combination holder and battery charger from the
wall attachment 6.
[0129] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, the slide
grooves 7 defined in the housing 2 are concurrently used for
guiding and accommodating the wall attachment 6 as hereinabove
described, but the slide grooves 7 are filled up by the slide plate
12 when the combination holder and battery charger is not hung on
the wall attachment 6, thereby providing an appealing
appearance.
[0130] Seventeenth Embodiment (FIGS. 23A and 23B)
[0131] An embodiment shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B may be a
modification of the previously described embodiment. According to
this embodiment, the wall attachment 6 includes a generally
rectangular base support 66 formed integrally with a lower edge of
the plate body 61 so as to lie perpendicular to the plate body 61.
The base support 66 is, when the combination holder and battery
charger is mounted on the wall attachment 6 in the manner shown in
FIG. 23B, brought into contact with the bottom of the housing 2
which is represented by the bottom plate 3 and the base plate 4
although the plates 3 and 4 are not shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B for
the sake of brevity.
[0132] The base support 66 serves not only to define the extent to
which the wall attachment 6 is slide into the slide space 21
relative to the housing 2, but also to support the housing 2 from
below when the combination holder and battery charger is mounted on
the wall attachment 6 then secured to the support wall.
[0133] Eighteenth Embodiment (FIG. 24)
[0134] In this embodiment shown in FIG. 14, a detent mechanism made
up of an engagement projection and an engagement recess for
receiving the engagement projection is employed. More specifically,
an outer surface of the rear wall 2c (FIG. 1) confronting the slide
space 21 is formed with an engagement projection 20 on one hand and
a mating engagement recess 67 is formed on an outer surface of the
plate body 61 of the wall attachment 6 so that when the combination
holder and battery charger is mounted on the wall attachment 6 in
the manner described hereinabove, the engagement projection 20 can
be slipped into the engagement recess 67.
[0135] The use of the detent mechanism makes it possible to prevent
the combination holder and battery charger to be inadvertently
detached from the wall attachment 6 once the former has been
mounted on the latter, to thereby securely and stably hold the
combination holder and battery charger relative to the wall support
100. However, it may occur that the user wishes to remove the
combination holder and battery charger from the wall attachment 6
for any reason. To facilitate removal of the combination holder and
battery charger from the wall attachment 6, an upper edge portion
of the engagement projection 20 which is situated on a trailing
side with respect to the direction of mounting of the combination
holder and battery charger onto the wall attachment 6 with the
guide rails 62 slidingly received in the slide grooves 7 is
downwardly inclined towards the wall attachment 6. A lower portion
of the engagement projection 20 opposite to the upper edge portion
that is inclined is left as a generally horizontally extending
surface.
[0136] Accordingly, when the combination holder and battery charger
is desired to be detached from the wall attachment 6, the user has
to pull the housing 2 upwardly to allow the inclined upper edge
portion of the engagement projection 20 to relatively slide over a
generally right-angled upper edge of the engagement recess 67 and
as the housing 2 is further pulled upwardly the combination holder
and battery charger can be separated from the wall attachment
6.
[0137] Nineteenth Embodiment (FIGS. 25 and 26)
[0138] The detent mechanism employed in this embodiment shown in
FIGS. 25 and 26 differs from that used in the embodiment of FIG.
24. As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, a lower portion of the slide plate
12 of the holder 1 is formed with an engagement hole 16 extending
completely across the thickness thereof, leaving a portion below
the engagement hole 16 as an interfit region 17. On the other hand,
an upper portion of the plate body 61 of the wall attachment 6 is
formed with an engagement recess 68 so as to extend inwardly from
an outer surface thereof, leaving a portion of the plate body 61
immediately above the engagement recess 68 as an engagement
projection 69. The engagement recess 68 is used to receive therein
the interfit region 17 and the engagement projection 69 is used to
engage in the engagement hole 16 when the combination holder and
battery charger is mounted on the wall attachment in a manner
similar to that described in connection with the previously
described embodiment.
[0139] When the combination holder and battery charger is desired
to be mounted on the wall attachment 6 then secured to the support
wall 100 by means of the set screws 64 with the engagement recess
68 and the engagement projection 69 facing in a direction opposite
to the support wall 100, the housing 2 has to be lowered relative
to the wall attachment 6 to allow the plate body 61 of the wall
attachment 6 to be received in the slide space 21 through an
opening therebelow while the guide rails 62 of the wall attachment
6 are slidingly guided in and along the slide grooves 7 in a manner
similar to that shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5. At this time, as shown
in FIG. 26, the interfit region 17 and the engagement recess 68 are
engaged with each other while the engagement projection 69 is
engaged in an engagement hole 16, thereby inhibiting any movement
of the holder 1 relative to the wall attachment 6. In this
condition, the housing 2 is then further lowered to complete
fitting of the housing 2 to the wall attachment 6. In a condition
in which the combination holder and battery charger is fitted to
the support wall through the wall attachment 6 in the manner
described above, the holder 1 is slid upwardly relative to the
housing 2 and assumes the operative position.
[0140] On the other hand, when during an attempt to remove the
combination holder and battery charger from the wall attachment 6
the housing 2 is pulled upwardly relative to the wall attachment 6,
the holder 1 is slid downwardly relative to the housing 2 to assume
the folded position, as shown in FIG. 26, since the movement of the
holder 1 relative to the wall attachment 6 is inhibited by the
engagement between the interfit region 17 and the engagement recess
68 and also the engagement between the engagement projection 69 and
the engagement hole 10. Further upward pull of the housing 2 while
the holder 1 having been returned to the folded position results in
disengagement of the interfit region 17 from the engagement recess
68 and also disengagement of the engagement projection 69 from the
engagement hole, thereby completing removal of the combination
holder and battery charger from the wall attachment 6.
[0141] According to this embodiment, as the combination holder and
battery charger with the holder 1 held at the folded position is
mounted on the wall attachment 6, the holder 1 is automatically
driven to the operative position. Similarly, as the combination
holder and charges is pulled upwardly to remove it from the wall
attachment 6, the holder 1 then held in the operative position is
automatically retracted to the folded position. Accordingly, when
the combination holder and battery charger is fitted to the support
wall 10 for recharging the electric shaver 5 or when after the
recharge the combination holder and battery charger is to be
removed from the support wall 10, the user need not manipulate the
holder 1 to move it between the folded and operative positions.
[0142] Twentieth Embodiment (FIGS. 27A and 27B)
[0143] In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B, the holder 1 is
pivotally mounted on the housing 2. Specifically, the holder 1
shown therein includes the apertured holder plate 11 and a support
leg 18 having one of its opposite sides pivotally connected with
the apertured holder plate 11 by means of a hinge pin 19. When the
holder 1 is in the folded position as shown in FIG. 27A, the
apertured holder plate 11 and the support leg 18 are held flat
against the top surface of the housing 2 with respective upper
surfaces of the holder plate 11 and support leg 18 held in flush
with each other, but when the holder 1 is in the operative position
as shown in FIG. 27B, the support leg 18 is erected to assume an
upright position perpendicular to the top surface of the housing 2
with the apertured holder plate 11 spaced a distance above the top
surface of the housing 2.
[0144] According to this embodiment, when the holder 1 is pulled
relative to the housing 1 with the slide plate 12 guided in and
along the slide space 21 (FIG. 1) so as to assume the operative
position, the other side of the support leg 18 remote from the
hinge pin 19 slides along the top surface of the housing 2 and
subsequently assumes the upright position, as shown in FIG. 27B.
The support leg 18 in the upright position may be considered
serving as a spacer to keep a distance between the holder 1 in the
operative position and the top surface of the housing 2.
Accordingly, the holder 1 can be stably held at the operative
position.
[0145] Return of the holder 1 to the folded position can be
effected by a single push to pivot the support leg 18 about the
hinge pin 19 so that the support leg 18 can be flattened against
the top surface of the housing 2.
[0146] Twenty-first Embodiment (FIG. 28)
[0147] The embodiment shown in FIG. 9 may be a modification of the
previously described embodiment of FIGS. 27A and 27B. The support
leg 18 is protected by a protecting protrusion 27a formed on the
top surface of the housing 2 so as to protrude upwardly at a
location on one side of the support leg 18 remote from the
apertured holder plate 11. The amount of protrusion of this
protecting protrusion 27a is so chosen that when the holder 1 is in
the folded position as shown, an upper surface of the protecting
protrusion 27a is in flush with an upper surface of any one of the
support leg 18 and the apertured holder plate 11.
[0148] The presence of the protecting protrusion 27a is
advantageous in that external impacts will not act directly on one
side of the support leg 18 remote from the apertured holder plate
11, thereby to avoid any possible damage to the pivotal joint
between the apertured holder plate 11 and the support leg 18 and
also to the apertured holder plate 11.
[0149] The combination holder and battery charger according to any
one of the foregoing embodiments of the present invention may be
provided with a mirror 101 which will now be described with
reference to FIGS. 29 to 33.
[0150] Twenty-second Embodiment (FIGS. 29 and 30)
[0151] In this embodiment shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the mirror 101
is supported for pivotal movement between a folded position as
shown in FIG. 29 and an erected position as shown in FIG. 30 about
a hinge pin 102. The mirror 101 when in the folded position is
positioned behind the slide plate 12 in face-to-face relation
therewith while the mirror 101 when in the erected position raises
upwardly with its mirror surface 105 usable to reflect an image of
the user's face towards the user.
[0152] As shown therein, the apertured holder plate 11 has a rear
side edge formed with a connecting edge 103 and, on the other hand,
the mirror 101 has connecting tongues 102 formed with one side edge
thereof. The apertured holder plate 11 is pivotally coupled with
the mirror 101 with the connecting edge 103 received in between the
connecting tongues 102 and connected therewith by means of the
hinge pin 102.
[0153] According to this embodiment shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, when
the mirror 101 is pivoted from the folded position towards the
erected position, the mirror 101 can be used with its mirror
surface 105 reflecting an image of the user's face. Since the
mirror 101 is incorporated in the combination holder and battery
charger, the user need not carry a separate mirror with him.
[0154] Twenty-third Embodiment (FIGS. 31 and 32)
[0155] While in the foregoing embodiment of FIGS. 29 and 30 the
mirror 101 is pivotable between the folded and erected positions
about the hinge pin 102, the mirror 101 in this embodiment is
slidable between the folded and erected positions. Specifically, an
outer surface of the plate body 14 of the slide plate 12 facing in
a direction counter to the housing 2 is formed with a generally
rectangular mirror recess 107 opening not only in a direction
counter to the housing 2, but also in a direction upwardly and
downwardly, and opposite side walls confronting the mirror recess
107 adjacent the respective slide rails 15 are formed with slide
grooves 108 that extend in a direction conforming to the direction
of sliding movement of the slide plate 12.
[0156] On the other hand, the mirror 101 is so configured as to fit
to the mirror recess 107 with its opposite sides formed with
respective slide rails 106 slidingly engaged in the corresponding
slide grooves 108. Thus, it will readily be seen that the mirror
101 can slide between the folded and erected positions with the
slide rails 106 slidingly received in the corresponding slide
grooves 108. It is to be noted that so long as the mirror 101 is
held in the folded position, an outer surface of the mirror 101 is
in flush with an outer surface of the slide plate 12.
[0157] The mirror surface 105 is formed on an inner surface of the
mirror 101 and, accordingly, when the mirror 101 is in the erected
position as shown in FIG. 32, the mirror surface 105 shown by the
phantom line faces towards the user.
[0158] Even this embodiment of FIGS. 31 and 32 brings about
advantages similar to those exhibited by the previously described
embodiment of FIGS. 29 and 30.
[0159] Twenty-fourth Embodiment (FIG. 33)
[0160] In an embodiment shown in FIG. 33, the holder pocket 13
defined in the apertured holder plate 11 is adapted to be closed by
the mirror 101 when the latter is not in use. Specifically, the
mirror 101 has a connecting edge 109 formed integrally therewith so
ad to protrude outwardly from a lower edge thereof and, on the
other hand, one of longer sides of a peripheral wall defining the
holder pocket 13 in the holder plate 11 is inwardly depressed to
define a bearing recess 110 for receiving therein the connecting
edge 109 integral with the mirror 101. The mirror 101 and the
apertured holder plate 11 are pivotally connected together by means
of a hinge pin 111 extending through the connecting edge 109 with
its opposite ends engaged in respective set-back regions leaving
the bearing recess 110 as shown by the phantom line.
[0161] The mirror 105 has an outer contour matching with the
contour of the holder pocket 13 and, accordingly, so long as the
mirror 101 is held in the folded position, the mirror 101 is
completely received within the holder pocket 13 with its opposite
surfaces held in flush with the upper and lower surfaces of the
holder plate 11. The mirror surface 105 is defined on one surface
of the mirror 101 so that, when the mirror 101 is in the erected
position as shown, the mirror surface 105 can face towards the
user.
[0162] The embodiment of FIG. 33 can bring about advantages similar
to those brought about by the respective embodiments shown in FIGS.
20 and 30 and FIGS. 31 and 32. However, an additional advantage can
be appreciated in that since the mirror when in the folded position
is completely accommodated within the holder pocket 13, the
combination holder and battery charger is rather compact in size
and is therefore convenient for transportation.
[0163] Although the present invention has been described in
connection with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to
the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes
and modifications are apparent to those skilled in the art. It is
also to be noted that some of the embodiments of the present
invention can be combined with any of the remaining embodiments of
the present invention. For example, the idea envisioned by the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 can be adapted in any one of
the remaining embodiments of the present invention.
[0164] Accordingly, such changes and modifications are therefore to
be understood as included within the scope of the present invention
as defined by the appended claims, unless they depart
therefrom.
* * * * *