Spring clips for razor blade cartridge magazines

Abstract

Spring clips for supporting a stack of razor blade cartridges in a balanced floating manner in a magazine are comprised of a member of elastic sheet metal having an upstanding wall and legs projecting from opposed edges thereof. Each leg defines spaced resilient fingers and opposed sets of said fingers engage the respective outermost cartridges of the stack.

Parent Case Text

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 334,746, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,833,146, of Paul A. Braginetz, filed on Feb. 22, 1973 and entitled "Magazine for Razor Blade Cartridges."

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains generally to magazines containing stacked razor blade cartridges and more particularly to spring clip members for supporting the cartridge stack therein.

The referenced Braginetz application discloses razor blade cartridge magazines of a type wherein multiple cartridges are supported in stack configuration in an unpartioned housing. Used cartridges are added to one end of the stack and new cartridges are removed from the opposite end of the stack through openings adjacent respectively opposite ends of the housing by use of a razor handle having a key or the like releasably interfitting with the cartridges. As such cartridge removal and insertion occurs, the make-up of the housed cartridge stack varies accordingly. To facilitate this and other functions, the magazine includes elastic support means engaging opposite ends of the stack and supporting the stack in a floating manner within the housing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is the provision of elastic support means for supporting razor blade cartridge stacks in such unpartioned magazines.

In the efficient attainment of the foregoing and other objects, the invention provides spring clip members of generally oblong shape comprising a member of elastic sheet metal having an upstanding wall and legs projecting from opposed edges thereof, each leg defining spaced resilient fingers, opposed sets of fingers engaging the respective outermost cartridges of a stack of cartridges and thus supporting the stack in a balanced floating manner.

The foregoing and other objects and features of the invention will be evident upon consideration of the following detailed discussion of preferred embodiments thereof and from the drawings in which like reference numerals identify like parts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a razor blade cartridge magazine incorporating one embodiment of a spring clip member in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the FIG. 1 magazine as seen from the broken plane II--II of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates the FIG. 1 magazine as seen from the plane III--III of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates the FIG. 1 magazine as seen from the left of the leftward upstanding wall of the FIG. 1 magazine, partly broken away to show detail.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a razor blade cartridge magazine incorporating another embodiment of clip structure in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates the FIG. 5 magazine as seen from the plane VI--VI of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates the FIG. 5 magazine as seen from the plane VII--VII of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Magazine structure 10 is cooperative with each of the two particular spring clip embodiments disclosed herein and is described in full in the referenced Braginetz application to which reference may be had for a more complete understanding of the mechanical features of the magazine structure, of the razor blade cartridges and of a keyed razor handle suitable for use therewith. Extensive structural detail of the magazine is, however, shown in FIGS. 1-7 herein which show the magazine as comprising a main housing or casing 25 preferably of plastic material. Because of the necessity of orienting the various figures differently in the drawings for clarity of disclosure, the six sides of the magazine are individually identified in the figures by reference characters. Such characters are based on the position or orientation of FIG. 1. As there shown the top side is designated U in accordance with the fact used cartridges are inserted at that end, and the bottom side is designated N since new cartridges are withdrawn at that end. Consistently, the front and back sides are designated F and B respectively and the right and left sides as R and L respectively. It should be understood that the reference characters selected are purely for convenience in connection with the drawings and in actual use the casing may be oriented differently such that for example the right side becomes left side, etc.

Housing 25 is open at the back or rear side B and has slot 21 (FIG. 2) in top end wall U and shortened slot 23 (FIG. 3) in bottom end wall N and cartridge openings 19 and 22 (FIG. 1) in front edge wall F. Mounted within casing 25 is a spring clip member 40 of elastic material, such as sheet spring metal. The spring member is generally U-shaped in cross section with the legs arranged at a sharp right angle with respect to connecting base portion 41. The base portion conforms in general shape to the rear opening of the casing and forms back wall B of the magazine (FIG. 4). With the magazine oriented to the position shown in FIG. 1, what is then the upper leg of spring member 40 is bifurcated to form two laterally spaced leaf members or fingers 42 with intervening slot 42a (FIG. 2). Fingers 42 have their ends formed with a rearward return bend to provide free pressure blade stack engaging elements 43. Similarly the bottom leg of the spring is bifurcated to form two leaf members or fingers 44 laterally spaced by a slot 44a (FIG. 3) and which have their ends formed with rearward return bends comprising free pressure blade stack engaging elements 45. Slot 42a registers with casing slot 21 and slot 44a with casing slot 23 and the slots permit the free passage of the keyed neck or stem of the razor handle in changing cartridges as is described in the referenced Braginetz application. The bifurcated legs result in a balanced condition. Referring particularly to FIG. 4 and leaf spring fingers 42, there is shown in broken lines a cartridge 12 oriented with its relatively flat midportion upward which is the relation in the case initially of a new magazine. The cartridge engages fingers 42 at their inner edges near intervening slot 42a at approximately areas 46a and 46b. When, however, the top cartridge becomes an inserted used one, the position is reversed and, because the bottom of the cartridge slopes inwardly and upwardly, the points of contact with spring finger 42 are toward the outer edges of the fingers, that is at areas indicated approximately at 46c and 46d.

In assembling the magazine the spring member is preloaded with five cartridges arranged flatwise as between adjacent ones and the loaded spring member then slides forwardly into the casing through the back wall opening and is secured in position through interlocking elements to be described hereinafter. Back plate section 41 (FIG. 4) of the spring member forms rear wall B of the assembled magazine.

The stack of cartridges assumes a floating position between opposed pairs of spring pressure elements 43 and 45. The character of the spring parts and their relative biasing effort on the cartridge stack is such as to prevent normally outward movement of a cartridge through either of openings 19 or 22 by reason of the fact that the top and bottom cartridge are each in a position whereby the front ends of those cartridges engage against the portion of the front wall between openings 19 and 22. When, however, a used cartridge is inserted through opening 19 the cartridge stack is forced downwardly so that the end of the bottom cartridge is fully exposed at opening 22 and the then empty razor handle key may be inserted into the bottom cartridge and the cartridge withdrawn appropriately located on the razor handle. It will be noted that all new cartridges are arranged with their respective razor key receiving slots facing downwardly when the magazine is in the upright position shown in FIG. 4. Upon insertion of a used cartridge through opening 19, pressure portions 43 of the upper spring leaves are so shaped as to present pressure points 43a engaging the bottom surface of the cartridge being inserted and lower leaf spring pressure portions 45 are so shaped as to present two spaced pressure points 45a and 45b. Therefore, the cartridge stack is in a normal static condition, and as it moves downwardly, by the insertion of a used cartridge, is held in a three point suspension system. End lugs 45c on spring leaves 45 engageable against the bottom wall provide positive downward limiting stops for the stack.

It may be noted that the rear wall 41 of the spring member defines a generally wedge-shaped opening 95 (FIGS. 1 and 4) coaxial with used cartridge opening 19. Such opening 95 is of sufficient expanse to permit continued passage of the razor handle key unidirectionally therethrough while retaining in the magazine the used cartridge stripped from the razor handle. Rear wall 41 also has two spaced trough-like depressions 47 forming guide ribs of reduced friction for the blade stack in its floating downward movement, and the forward wall of the magazine has interiorly a low friction pressure pad area 48 against which the forward ends of the cartridges ride. Ribs 47 also perform the additional function of strengthening and stiffening back portion 41 of the spring member. Fingers 42 of the upper leg of the spring member have similar trough depressions forming ribs 50 to add rigidity; and likewise fingers 44 of the lower legs have ribs 51.

The details of the manner in which the spring member is automatically locked in place in assembly will now be described. Bottom wall N of the housing has a lug 60 facing upwardly at its midpoint between the housing side walls (FIGS. 1-3) with a ramp 61 facing the rear. The spring member in its bottom leg has a rectangular opening 62 and as the spring member is advanced into the housing the bottom leg rides up ramp 61 and is deflected until opening 62 snaps over shoulder 63 of lug 60 and the leg is held there by the pressure of spring leaf 45 against the bottom cartridge.

At the magazine top spring fingers 42 each has a shoulder 70 on its outer-edge facing toward the corresponding side wall and an inner shoulder 71 on the opposite edge facing toward the center of the magazine (FIG. 2). Toward the center of top wall U there are two downwardly projecting lugs 72 each with a ramp 73 facing toward the rear wall and as the spring member is advanced into the housing fingers 42 are elevated until shoulders 71 snap over behind square shoulders 74 of lugs 72 thereby locking the spring member from retraction. Top wall U also has a pair of spaced rails 78 facing downwardly (FIGS. 1 and 2) which function to guide a used cartridge into the housing and also to assure that captured fingers 42 stay ahead of lugs 72. Rails 78 at their rear ends have an inclined edge 79 forming a wedge-shaped notch 80 open to the rear and as the spring advances into the housing shoulders 70 engage corresponding inclined edge 79 deflecting outer offset portions 81 upwardly (downwardly from the plane of the drawing as viewed in FIG. 2) compelling the inner offset portions of the spring fingers inwardly of shoulders 71 to fall off behind inner lugs 72 and the spring member becomes positively locked against any dislodgement.

The two side walls R and L of the housing are recessed interiorly along their vertical edges and back main wall 41 of the spring is wider than the general interior cross dimension of the housing whereby the spring back wall engages against vertical recessed shoulders 85 (FIG. 3) limiting the inward position of the spring member. Also the wider back wall dimension is carried forward a short distance at the top and bottom forming flanges 86 engaged in complemental recesses in the interior surface of the corresponding side walls (FIGS. 2 and 3).

A further feature of the spring member and its support in the housing concerns the pair of ribs 90 (FIG. 2) located on the inner surface of top wall U. These ribs are positioned adjacent casing slot 21 parallel to the slot and rails 78 and may be integral with respective lugs 72. Spring fingers 42 are of reduced width at the corresponding area so as to fit in each case between corresponding rail 78 and rib 90 thereby assuring that spring fingers do not become displaced or distorted into tracking slot 21 for the razor stem and interfere with the operation.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIGS. 5-7, the spring clip member 40' thereof is related in its general outline to the previously discussed spring clip member, as indicated by usage in large part in FIGS. 5-7 of the same reference numerals used in FIGS. 1-4. Identical magazine housing 25 is employed and its open back wall is again formed by connecting base portion 41 defining opening 95. Likewise, fingers 42 and 44 of the upper and lower legs projecting from base portion 41 have the previously discussed interfitting relationships with housing 25 for securement of preloaded spring clip member 41'.

As may be seen in FIGS. 5 and 7, fingers 42 have their ends formed with a rearward bend to provide blade stack engaging elements 43'. An initial portion of such rearward bend provides pressure points 43'a which engage the bottom surface of a used cartridge inserted in opening 19 in the manner above-discussed in connection with pressure points 43. Elements 43' extend from points 43a slopingly rearwardly and laterally spaced to a transverse portion 43'b which provides a unified termination therefor. Portion 43'b is disposed essentially parallel to base 41 intermediate ribs 47 which serve as guide rails for movement of portion 43'b. The end 43'c of portion 43'b is curved outwardly (FIG. 5) to avoid engagement thereof with stacked cartridges. A generally wedge-shaped slot 43'd (FIGS. 5 and 7), coextensive with base aperture 95, extends throughout an initial part of portion 43'b such that slot 43'd, base plate opening 95 and used cartridge opening 19 are coaxially aligned upon insertion of a used cartridge in the magazine housing and prior to the removal of a new cartridge therefrom.

Such coaxial alignment of slot 43'd and openings 95 and 19 occurs as the used cartridge flexes stack engaging element 43' upwardly from the position thereof in FIG. 5, thereby moving portion 43'b upwardly and slot 43'd into registration with opening 95.

As may be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, fingers 44 have their ends formed with a rearward bend to provide blade stack engaging elements 45', each providing spaced pressure points 45'a and 45'b. Elements 45' further include lugs 45'c extending downwardly and laterally spaced to a transverse portion 45'd which provides a unified termination therefor.

Upon the above-discussed insertion of a used cartridge within spring clip 40', transverse portion 45'd abuts bottom side N of the magazine to provide a positive downward limiting stop for the cartridge stack and pressure points 45'a and 45'b engage the stack bottom cartridge which is then aligned with opening 22.

Since various changes may be made in the structural details and relations of the parts shown and described herein and accordingly different embodiments of the invention be made within the principles thereof, it is intended that all matter contained herein shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A spring clip for holding a stack of razor blade cartridges of generally oblong shape comprising a U-shaped member of elastic sheet metal having a main rear wall and top and bottom projecting legs, each of said legs being bifurcated to provide leaf fingers laterally spaced adapted to engage an adjacent cartridge with an intervening slot between the fingers.

2. The spring clip claimed in claim 1 wherein each said leg includes a terminal portion connecting together said leaf fingers thereof.

3. The spring clip claimed in claim 2 wherein said wall defines an opening adjacent said top leg, said top leg terminal portion being disposed substantially parallel to said wall and including a slot adjacent the ends of said leaf fingers, said slot being registrable with said wall opening upon preselected movement of said leaf fingers of said top leg.

4. An elastic support for holding a stack of razor blade cartridges and facilitating insertion and removal of such cartridges by a razor handle key complementary therewith, comprising an upstanding wall member and first and second elastic legs projecting from respective first and second opposite ends of said wall member, said legs each having an initial portion projecting from and generally orthogonal to said wall member and a second portion bent from the ends of said initial portion toward said wall member and defining mutually spaced leaf fingers engageable with said cartridge stack, said first leg initial portion defining a slot extending throughout the entire extent thereof to enable movement of said razor handle key therethrough for said cartridge insertion, said second leg initial portion defining a slot adjacent said end thereof and extending throughout less than the extent of said second leg initial portion to enable entry of said razor handle key therein for said cartridge removal.

5. The elastic support claimed in claim 4 wherein each said leg includes a terminal portion connecting together said spaced leaf fingers thereof.

6. The elastic support claimed in claim 5 wherein said wall member defines an opening adjacent said first end thereof and wherein said terminal portion of said first leg is disposed substantially parallel to said wall and defines a slot adjacent said leaf fingers and registrable with said wall member opening upon preselected movement of said leaf fingers to enable movement of said razor handle key through said wall member and said first leg.

7. The elastic support claimed in claim 6 wherein said wall member opening and said first leg slot are of like configuration.

8. The elastic support claimed in claim 6 wherein said wall member includes upstanding spaced ribs projecting therefrom and cooperative with said first leg terminal portion for guiding movement thereof.

9. The elastic support claimed in claim 4 wherein said wall member and said legs are constituted by a single integral sheet of elastic material.

10. The elastic support claimed in claim 5 wherein said wall member and said legs are constituted by a single integral sheet of elastic material.

11. The elastic support claimed in claim 9 wherein said single integral sheet is comprised of sheet metal.

12. The elastic support claimed in claim 10 wherein said single integral sheet is comprised of sheet metal.