Abstract: A variable ratio transmission for transferring torque between an input port and an output port includes two transmission shafts mounted with an angle &thgr; between them. A first of the shafts supports a series of at least two conical gear wheels, of different sizes and having different numbers of gear teeth, in such a manner as to define a predefined range of angular motion through which each conical gear can turn relative to its shaft. The conical gear wheels together define a conical external profile at an angle &thgr; to the first axis. A sliding gear wheel, configured for driving engagement with any one of the conical gear wheels, is engaged so as to slide along, and yet rotate together with, the second transmission shaft. An actuator displaces the sliding gear wheel along the second transmission shaft parallel to the second axis between positions corresponding to selective engagement with each of the conical gears, thereby varying a drive ratio between the first and second transmission shafts.

Abstract: A shaving apparatus to be drawn by a user across an area of skin in a shaving direction for removing hair from the area of skin includes a handle to be held by the user, a cutter device mountable on the handle, and a hair erecting device mounted forwardly of and adjacent to the cutter device. The hair erecting device features a rotary assembly with a plurality of axially extending projections for engaging the hair of the user, and a drive mechanism for driving the rotary assembly. The projections of the rotary assembly engage the hair of the user and erect the hair so as to improve operation of the cutter device. The shaving apparatus may be implemented with the hair erecting device attached to the handle and the cutter device in the form of a replaceable cartridge. A rear roller may be mounted behind the cutter device for dispensing a chemical composition onto the skin of the user.

Abstract: A foot massaging appliance, includes a housing adapted to be supported on a flat horizontal surface and including an upper face facing upwardly of the housing when so supported; at least one massaging unit mounted within the housing for cyclical movement and including a plurality of massaging elements projecting upwardly from the upper face thereof for massaging the sole of a user's foot when placed thereon; and a motor drive for cyclically moving the massaging unit.

Abstract: Shaving apparatus includes a shaver head movable across the user's skin to be shaved of hair, and a cutter device carried by the shaver head and extending transversely to the direction of movement of the shaver head across the user's skin. The apparatus further includes a hair erecting device forwardly of and adjacent to the cutter device for moving the hairs towards an erect position prior to their engagement with the cutter device. The hair erecting device includes a rotary assembly carrying on its outer surface a plurality of protrusions or fins configured to engage the hairs and to move them towards an erect position during the rotation of the rotary assembly.

Abstract: A toothbrush includes a brush head formed with a plurality of cavities, and an assembly of bristle holders received in the cavities, the bristle holders being fixed to and interconnected together by spring elements engageable with the bottoms of the cavities and normally urging the bristle holders to a projected position outwardly of the brush head, but permitting the bristle holders to be displaced inwardly to a retracted position within their respective cavities.