Attachment comb and hair cutting appliance

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a releasable attachment comb for a blade set of a cutting head of a hair cutting appliance, said attachment comb comprising a supporting frame comprising a first lateral grip bar, a second lateral grip bar, and at least one laterally extending supporting bar arranged between the first lateral grip bar and the second lateral grip bar, a plurality of guide teeth that define a skin contact front face; a plurality of snap-on mounting elements; wherein the snap-on mounting elements are spaced away from the first lateral grip bar and the second lateral grip bar; wherein at least one of the snap-on mounting elements is configured as a proximal snap-on mounting element that is arranged on a first, proximal side; wherein at least one of the snap-on mounting elements is configured as a distal snap-on mounting element that is arranged on a second, distal side; and wherein the at least one proximal snap-on mounting element and the at least one distal snap-on mounting element are arranged to mutually lock therebetween the blade set to attach the attachment comb to the cutting head. The present disclosure further relates to a cutting head of a hair cutting appliance that is fitted with a respective attachment comb.

Claims

1. A releasable attachment comb comprising: a supporting frame comprising: a first lateral frame, said first lateral frame comprising a first lateral grip bar; a second lateral frame, said second lateral frame comprising a second lateral grip bar, said first lateral frame and said second lateral frame being on opposite lateral sides of said supporting frame; and a first supporting planar element extending between said first lateral frame and said second lateral frame, said first supporting planar element forming a distal surface of said supporting frame, said first supporting planar element comprising: a plurality of teeth extending from a top edge said first supporting planar element, said plurality of teeth forming a top surface of said supporting frame; and a plurality of distal retaining elements extending from said top edge, wherein one of said plurality of distal retaining elements is positioned proximate said first lateral frame and one of said plurality of distal retaining element is positioned proximate said second lateral frame, wherein each of said plurality of distal retaining elements is configured to deflect; a second planar element extending between said first lateral frame and said second lateral frame, said second planar element bar defining a proximal plane of said attachment comb, said second planar element comprising: a plurality of proximal retaining elements within said proximal plane, each of said plurality of proximal retaining elements, is configured to: deflect when contacted by a blade set to allow entry of a blade set into said supporting frame; and lock said blade set between said plurality of distal retaining elements and said plurality of proximal retaining elements.

2. The attachment comb as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of said plurality of proximal retaining elements is positioned proximate said first lateral frame and one of said plurality of proximal retaining elements is positioned proximate said second lateral frame.

3. The attachment comb as claimed in claim 1, wherein a free end of said one of said plurality of proximal retaining element proximate said first lateral frame forming a first tooth element in line with said plurality of teeth and a free end of said one of said plurality of proximal retaining elements proximal said second lateral frame forming a second tooth element in line with said plurality of teeth.

4. The attachment comb as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of distal retaining elements are configured to: deflect outwardly from said attachment comb, when said plurality of distal retaining elements contacts said blade set.

5. The attachment comb as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of distal retaining elements comprises: a distal insertion ramp, wherein said distal insertion ramp: progressively increases a thickness of a corresponding one of said plurality of distal retaining elements, wherein said increased thickness reduces a distance between a distal plane defined by the plurality of distal retaining elements and said proximal plane.

6. The attachment comb as claimed in claim 5, wherein said distal insertion ramp comprises: a distal retaining portion, said first distal portion configured to: retain said blade set to said attachment comb.

7. The attachment comb as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of proximal retaining element are configured to: deflect outwardly from said attachment comb when said plurality of proximal retaining elements contact said blade set.

8. The attachment comb as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of proximal retaining elements comprises: a proximal insertion ramp, wherein said proximal insertion ramp progressively increases a thickness of a corresponding one of said plurality of proximal retaining elements, wherein said increased thickness reduces a distance between a distal plane defined by the plurality of distal retaining elements and said proximal plane.

9. The attachment comb as claimed in claim 8, wherein said proximal insertion ramp comprises: a proximal retaining portion, said proximal retaining portion configured to: retain said blade set to said attachment comb.

10. The attachment comb as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first lateral frame and said second lateral frame comprises: a lateral grip.

11. A hair cutting appliance comprising: a housing comprising: a motor; a blade set comprising: a stationary blade; and a cutter blade, wherein said motor is configured to: drive said cutter blade; and an attachment comb configured to: retain said blade set within said attachment comb; and position said hair cutting appliance a known distance from a user of said hair cutting appliance, wherein said attachment comb comprises: a first lateral surface; a second lateral surface separated from and parallel to said first later surface; and a planar element attached to said first lateral surface and to said second lateral surface, said planar element forming a first side of said attachment comb, wherein said planar element comprises: a first distal mounting element positioned proximate said first lateral surface; and a second distal mounting element positioned proximate said second lateral surface, wherein said first distal mounting element and said second distal mounting element extend from a top edge of said planar element toward a bottom edge of said planar element; a plurality of teeth elements extending from a top surface of said planar element toward a proximal surface of said attachment comb; and a proximal support bar extending from said first lateral surface to said second lateral surface, said proximal support bar contained within said proximate surface of said attachment comb, wherein said proximal support bar comprises: a first proximal mounting element positioned proximate said first lateral surface, and a second proximal mounting element positioned proximate said second lateral surface, wherein each of said first distal mounting element, said second distal mounting element, said first proximal mounting element and said second proximal mounting element is configured to: deflect outwardly from said attachment comb.

12. The hair cutting appliance as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of said first distal mounting element and said second distal mounting element comprises: a distal insertion ramp extending from a free end toward said top edge of said planar element, wherein said distal insertion ramp progressively increases a thickness of said each distal mounting element to a known maximum thickness; and progressively decreases said thickness of said each distal mounting element from said known maximum thickness, wherein said distal insertion ramp is configured to: cause said outward deflection of said each distal mounting element when contacted by said blade set; and retain said blade set when said blade set extends along said distal insertion ramp past said known maximum thickness.

13. The hair cutting appliance as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of said first proximal mounting element and said second proximal mounting element comprises: a proximal insertion ramp extending from said proximal support bar to said top surface of said attachment comb, wherein said proximal insertion ramp progressively increases a thickness of said each proximal mounting element, wherein said proximal insertion ramp is configured to: cause said outward deflection of said each proximal mounting element.

14. The hair cutting appliance as claimed in claim 11, wherein a free end of said first proximal mounting element forming a first tooth element proximate said first lateral surface and in line with said plurality of teeth in said top surface of said attachment comb and a free end of said second proximal mounting element forming a second tooth element proximate said second lateral surface and in line with said plurality of teeth in said top surface of said attachment comb.

15. The hair cutting appliance as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of said first lateral side and said second lateral side comprising: at least one lateral guide rib extending into said attachment comb.

16. The hair cutting appliance as claimed in claim 11, wherein the blade set is releasably attached to said housing.

17. A releasable attachment comb configured to attach to a blade set, said attachment comb comprising: a distal planar element; a first lateral surface extending substantially perpendicular to a first edge of said distal planar element; a second lateral surface extending substantially perpendicular to a second edge of said distal planar element; and a proximal support bar extending between said first lateral surface and said second lateral surface, said proximal support bar forming a lower edge of a proximal plane of said attachment comb, wherein said distal planar element comprises: a plurality of guide teeth extending from said distal planar element toward said proximal plane, said plurality of guide teeth forming a top surface of said attachment comb; a plurality of distal mounting elements extending from a top edge of said distal planar element within said distal planar element, wherein one of said plurality of distal mounting elements is proximate said first lateral surface and one of said plurality of distal mounting elements is proximate said second lateral surface, and said proximal support bar comprises: a plurality of proximal mounting elements attached on a first end to said support bar, wherein one of said plurality of proximal mounting elements is proximate said first lateral surface and one of said plurality of proximal mounting elements is proximate said second lateral surface, wherein at least one of the plurality of proximal mounting elements and the plurality of distal mounting element is configured to: deflect outwardly as said blade set contacts a corresponding at least one of said plurality of proximal mounting elements and said plurality of distal mounting elements.

18. The releasable attachment comb of claim 17, wherein each of said proximal mounting elements and said distal mounting elements comprises: an insertion ramp, wherein said insertion ramp comprises: an expansion section progressively increasing a thickness of a corresponding mounting element from a free end said corresponding mounting element, and a retainer section progressively decreasing said thickness of said corresponding mounting element, wherein said insertion ramp is configured to: deflect outwardly as said blade set contacts said expansion section; and deflect inwardly as said blade set contacts said retainer section.

19. The releasable attachment comb of claim 17, wherein said distal mounting element are opposite said proximal mounting elements.

20. The releasable attachment comb of claim 18, wherein said insertion ramp decreases a distance between said distal planar element and said proximal plane.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other aspects of the disclosure will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. In the following drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary hair cutting appliance that may be fitted with an exemplary embodiment of an attachment comb in accordance with the present disclosure;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective top view of a blade set of a cutting head for a hair cutting appliance;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a hair cutting appliance that is fitted with an embodiment of an attachment comb in accordance with the present disclosure;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a further partial perspective view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 3, wherein the attachment comb is shown in a detached state;

(6) FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a blade set and an attachment comb that may be mounted thereto, wherein the attachment comb is shown in a detached state;

(7) FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the attachment comb as shown in FIG. 5, wherein the attachment comb engages a blade set;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a further perspective bottom view of the attachment comb as shown in FIG. 5, wherein the attachment comb is shown in isolation;

(9) FIG. 8 shows yet another detailed partial perspective bottom view of the attachment comb as shown in FIG. 7;

(10) FIG. 9 shows a perspective cross-sectional bottom view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 6;

(11) FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional lateral side view of the arrangement of FIG. 6 taken along the lines X-X in FIG. 6; and

(12) FIG. 11 shows yet another perspective cross-sectional bottom view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 6, wherein the orientation of the view of FIG. 11 is slightly different from the orientation of the view of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(13) FIG. 1 schematically illustrates, in a simplified perspective view, an exemplary embodiment of the hair cutting appliance 10, particularly an electric hair cutting appliance. The hair cutting appliance 10 may comprise a housing or, more particularly, a housing portion 12, a motor indicated by a dashed block 14 in the housing portion 12, and a drive mechanism or drive train indicated by a dashed block 16 in the housing portion 12. For powering the motor 14, at least in some embodiments of the hair cutting appliance 10, an electrical battery, indicated by a dashed block 18 in the housing portion 12, may be provided, such as, for instance, a rechargeable battery, a replaceable battery, etc. However, in some embodiments, the cutting appliance 10 may be further provided with a power cable for connecting a power supply. A power supply connector may be provided in addition or in the alternative to the (internal) electric battery 18.

(14) The hair cutting appliance 10 may further comprise a cutting head 20. At the cutting head 20, a blade set 22 may be attached to the hair cutting appliance 10. The blade set 22 may be driven by the motor 14 via the drive mechanism or drive train 16 to enable a cutting motion. The cutting motion may generally be regarded as a relative motion between a stationary blade and a movable cutter blade which will be further described and discussed hereinafter. Generally, a user may grasp, hold and manually guide cutting appliance 10 through hair in a moving direction 30 to cut hair. The cutting appliance 10 may be generally regarded as a hand-guided or hand-operated electrically powered device. Furthermore, the cutting head 20 or, more particularly, the blade set 22 can be connected to the housing portion 12 of the cutting appliance 10 in a pivotable manner, refer to the curved double-arrow indicated by reference numeral 28 in FIG. 1. In some applications, the cutting appliance 10 can be moved along skin to cut hair growing at the skin. When cutting hair closely to the skin, basically a shaving operation can be performed aiming at cutting or chopping hair at the level of the skin. However, also clipping (or trimming) operations may be envisaged, wherein the cutting head 20 comprising the blade set 22 is passed along a path at a desired distance relative to the skin.

(15) When being guided through hair, the cutting appliance 10 including the blade set 22 is typically moved along a common moving direction which is indicated by the reference numeral 30 in FIG. 1. It is worth mentioning in this connection that, given that the hair cutting appliance 10 is typically manually guided and moved, the moving direction 30 thus not necessarily has to be construed as a precise geometric reference having a fixed definition and relation with respect to the orientation of the hair cutting appliance 10 and its cutting head 20. That is, an overall orientation of the hair cutting appliance 10 with respect to the to-be-cut hair at the skin may be construed as somewhat unsteady. However, for illustrative purposes, it may be fairly assumed that the (imaginary) moving direction 30 is parallel (or generally parallel) to a main central plane of a coordinate system which may serve in a following as a means for describing structural feature of the hair cutting appliance 10.

(16) For ease of reference, coordinate systems are indicated in several drawings herein. By way of example, a Cartesian coordinate system X-Y-Z is indicated in FIG. 1. An axis X of the respective coordinate system extends in a generally longitudinal direction that is generally associated with length, for the purpose of this disclosure. An axis Y of the coordinate system extends in a lateral (or transverse) direction associated with width, for the purpose of this disclosure. An axis Z of the coordinate system extends in a height (or vertical) direction which may be referred to for illustrative purposes, at least in some embodiments, as a generally vertical direction. It goes without saying that an association of the coordinate system X-Y-Z to characteristic features and/or embodiment of the hair cutting appliance 10 is primarily provided for illustrative purposes and shall not be construed in a limiting way. It should be understood that those skilled in the art may readily convert and/or transfer the coordinate system provided herein when being confronted with alternative embodiments, respective figures and illustrations including alternative orientations. It is further worth mentioning that, for the purpose of the present disclosure, the coordinate system X-Y-Z is generally aligned with main directions and orientations of the cutting head 20, particularly of the blade set 22 thereof.

(17) FIG. 2 shows a perspective top view of a blade set 22 that may be implemented in the cutting head 20 illustrated in FIG. 1. The blade set 22 comprises a stationary blade 24 and a cutter blade 26 that may be moved with respect to the stationary blade 24 in a reciprocating motion. The stationary blade 24 and the cutter blade 26 may jointly define at least one toothed leading edge 32, 34, preferably a first toothed leading edge 32 and a second toothed leading edge 34. The first toothed leading edge 32 and the second toothed leading edge 34 are arranged in parallel fashion and facing away from each other. The movable cutter blade 26 is indicated in FIG. 2 in a dashed representation. The cutter blade 24 may be driven by a drive shaft 50 in a reciprocating manner. Consequently, the cutter blade 26 and the stationary blade 24 may be reciprocatingly moved with respect to each other and therefore cooperate to cut hairs that enter slots between teeth 38 of the stationary blade 24 and teeth 40 of the cutter blade 26 at the respective leading edges 32, 34 when the hair cutting appliance 10 is moved through hair in the moving direction 30.

(18) The stationary blade 24 may be arranged as a guard for the movable cutter blade 26. It is particularly preferred that the stationary blade 24 comprises a first wall portion and a secondary wall portion which are at least partially spaced from each other such that a guide slot for the cutter blade 26 is defined therebetween, refer also to the cross-sectional representations of the blade set 22 in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11. As a consequence, the stationary blade 24 may also cover the cutter blade 26 at the at least one toothed leading edge 32, 34.

(19) As already indicated above, the blade set 22 may be particularly suited for shaving and trimming operations. Shaving performance and trimming performance may be further improved when the blade set 22 is capable of following an actual skin contour. Consequently, it is particularly preferred that the blade set 22 is attachable to the housing portion 12 of the hair cutting appliance 10 in a pivotable fashion. A swiveling mechanism is indicated in FIG. 2 by reference numeral 42. The blade set 22 is attached to the swiveling mechanism 42. The swiveling mechanism 42 may form a part of the cutting head 20 that is interposed between the blade set 22 and the housing portion 12. The swiveling mechanism 42 may define a pivot or, rather, a virtual pivot for the blade set 22, refer to the curved double-arrow 28 in FIGS. 1 and 2.

(20) So as to define a maximum swiveling angle of the blade set 22 with respect to the housing portion 12, the swiveling mechanism 42 may comprise a limit stop 44 that may cooperate with a contact surface 46 to define an allowed range of the swiveling motion. By way of example, the swiveling mechanism 42 may be arranged as a four-bar-linkage mechanism. In this embodiment, the swiveling mechanism 42 comprises a base link 52 that may be attached to the housing portion 12. A first side link 54 and a second side link 56 may be coupled to the base link 52. At a top end thereof, the swiveling mechanism 42 may comprise a top link 58 that connects the first side link 54 and the second side link 56. Between the respective links 52, 54, 56, 58 hinges may be provided, particularly living hinges, that enable relative rotation between neighboring links and thus the overall pivoting motion.

(21) Generally, at least in some embodiments, the cutting head 20 may be regarded as a replaceable and/or a detachable cutting head. To this end, the cutting 20 may comprise an attachment interface 48 which is arranged to engage a respective receiving interface at the housing portion 12 of the hair cutting appliance 10. Particularly, the cutting head 20 may be arranged as a plug-in cutting head 20. As already indicated above, the blade set 22, particularly the cutter blade 26 thereof, may be coupled to the drive shaft 50. The drive shaft 50 may comprise an eccentric portion that may revolve about a longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 50. Consequently, an eccentric drive mechanism 16 may be provided for driving the cutter blade 26 in a reciprocating fashion with respect to the stationary blade 24.

(22) Being fitted with the swiveling mechanism 42 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2 or with another exemplary embodiment of a swiveling mechanism, the cutting head 20 may be particularly suited for shaving operations. However, it is further preferred that the hair cutting appliance 10 is also suited for hair trimming operations. Hair trimming may involve cutting hairs at a desired length. The desired remaining length of the hairs may be defined by a so-called attachment comb. When attaching the attachment comb to the hair cutting appliance 10, it has to be considered that the blade set 22 is preferably pivotably mounted at the housing portion 12. At least in some embodiments as discussed herein, it is preferred that the contour-following feature is provided also in the trimming mode when the attachment comb is mounted to the blade set 22. Consequently, in contrast to prior art devices as for instance disclosed in US 2014/0215832 A1, it is preferred not to directly attach the attachment comb to the housing portion 12 which—in return—would lock or block the swiveling mechanism 42.

(23) With particular reference to FIGS. 3 to 11, an exemplary embodiment of an attachment comb 60 for a hair cutting appliance 10 will be illustrated and further described in more detail. The attachment comb 60 is shown in FIG. 3 in a mounted state. In contrast, the attachment comb 60 is shown in FIG. 4 in a detached state. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a housing portion 12 of a hair cutting appliance 10. The housing portion 12 is shaped in a basically elongated fashion. However, along its overall longitudinal extension, the housing portion 12 is at least slightly curved or banana-shaped. As a consequence, as can be seen in FIG. 4, a main orientation of a respective blade set 22 is somewhat deviated or tilted with respect to a handle portion or grip portion of the housing portion 12 which is typically arranged at an end thereof that is opposite to the cutting head 20.

(24) The cutting head 20 and particularly the blade set 22 and the swiveling mechanism 42 may be basically arranged in accordance with the embodiment described above in accordance with FIG. 2. Preferably, the attachment comb 60 is directly attached to the blade set 22. Furthermore, the attachment comb 60 is preferably not directly attached to the housing portion 12. As a consequence, also the attachment comb 60 may be pivoted by the swiveling mechanism 42 with respect to the housing portion 12, refer also to the pivoting arrow 28 in FIG. 3. Consequently, the contour-following capability of the hair cutting appliance 10 is also maintained when the hair cutting appliance 10 is in the hair trimming mode.

(25) However, this arrangement poses several challenges to the mounting and/or attachment process and to respective mounting features of the attachment comb 60. It has to be considered that the blade set 22 is a relatively small-sized and, to some extent, fragile unit. As a consequence, the attachment comb 60 is particularly adapted to the intended direct mounting to the blade set 22. Furthermore, as already indicated above, the blade set 22 and/or the cutting head 20 including the blade set 22 and the swiveling mechanism 42 may be attached to the housing portion 12 in a releasable fashion. It should be therefore considered that detaching the attachment comb 60 does not, by accident, also detach the blade set 20 or the swiveling mechanism 42 from the hair cutting appliance 10.

(26) Further reference is made to FIGS. 5 to 7. As can be seen from the perspective top view of FIG. 5 and from the perspective rear or bottom view of FIG. 7, the attachment comb 60 of this embodiment comprises a supporting frame 62 that comprises a first supporting bar 64 and a second supporting bar 66. Preferably, the supporting bar 64 and the supporting bar 66 are displaced from each other in a basically parallel fashion. The supporting bar 64 may be referred to as distal, rear or rearward supporting bar 64. The supporting bar 66 may be referred to as proximal, frontal supporting bar 66. The supporting bar 66 is arranged at the longitudinal side of the attachment comb 60 that, when in operation, would basically first contact the to-be-processed skin.

(27) At respective lateral sides of the supporting frame 62, a first lateral grip bar 68 and a second lateral grip bar 70 are provided. The supporting bars 64, 66 extend from the lateral grip bar 68 to the lateral grip bar 70. The lateral grip bars 68, 70 basically extend in the longitudinal direction X and/or in a plane that is defined by the longitudinal direction X and the vertical direction Z. The supporting bars 64, 66 basically extend in the lateral direction Y. The supporting bars 64, 66 and the lateral grip bars 68, 70 jointly define the supporting frame 62 of the attachment comb 60. The supporting bars 64, 66 are, in the mounted state, arranged basically parallel to the lateral extension of the toothed leading edges 32, 34.

(28) As can be best seen from FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, the supporting bar 64 covers the toothed leading edge 34. As a consequence, the toothed edge 34 is somewhat blocked or deactivated in the mounted state of the attachment comb 60. Conversely, the supporting bar 66 is associated with the toothed leading edge 32 but spaced away from the toothed leading edge 32 in a basically parallel fashion thereto. Preferably, the attachment comb 60 is arranged as a dual-side attachment comb 60. This may involve that the attachment comb 60 may be reversely attached to the blade set 20. As a consequence, in a reverse mounted state, the supporting bar 66 would be associated with and cover the toothed leading edge 32, wherein the supporting bar 64 would be associated with and arranged at a distance from the toothed leading edge 34 in a basically parallel fashion thereto.

(29) In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 11, the supporting frame 62 as defined by the supporting bar 64, 66 and the lateral grip bars 68, 70 is arranged as a closed surrounding supporting frame 62. However, at least in some embodiments, the supporting frame 62 may be arranged as an open profile or frame, wherein for instance the supporting bar 66 is omitted or, for instance, interrupted. However, it is preferred that both the supporting 64 and the supporting bar 66 connect the lateral grip bar 68 and the lateral grip bar 70. This may have the advantage that a respective push force that is applicable by the user to the lateral grip bars 68, 70 may not significantly deform the attachment comb 60, and, as a consequence, bias the blade set 22. A main direction of the push force that is typically applied by the user to the lateral grip bars 68, 70 is indicated in FIG. 6 by arrows 96 that are basically parallel to the lateral direction Y.

(30) Preferably, the first lateral grip bar 68 and the second lateral grip bar 70 are provided with a respective indication that prompts the user to grasp and engage the attachment comb 60. Typically, the users themselves would tend to contact the lateral grip bars 68, 70 of the attachment comb 60 so as to avoid contacting the (laterally extending) supporting bars 64, 66 which might induce a load on the leading edges 32, 34. This is mainly because applying a push force to the supporting bars 64, 66 would quite likely cause an excessive biasing force on the toothed leading edges 32, 34 of the blade set 22. By way of example, each of the lateral grip bars 68, 70 may be provided with a respective depression or recess to indicate the intended force application spots.

(31) The attachment comb 60 further comprises a plurality of guide teeth 72 that extend from the supporting bar 64 of the supporting frame 62. The guide teeth 72 are basically oriented in a defined pattern or series with respect to the teeth 38 of the stationary blade 24. The guide teeth 72 basically extend in the longitudinal direction X or, more generally, in a plane that is defined by the longitudinal direction X and the vertical direction Z. At a top side or front side of the attachment comb 60 that typically contacts the skin in the mounted state when the hair cutting appliance 10 is in operation, the guide teeth 72 jointly define a skin contact face 74, refer also to FIG. 5 and to FIG. 10.

(32) As can be further seen from FIG. 5, the skin contact face 74 may define a plane that, on the one hand, is basically parallel to the lateral direction Y. On the other hand, the skin contact face 74 may be arranged at an angle α (alpha) with respect to the longitudinal direction X. As a consequence, the skin contact face 74 may define a tilted longitudinal direction X.sub.c of the attachment comb 60. In other words, the skin contact face 74 and the top face or front face 36 of the blade set 22 are arranged at an angle α in the mounted state. At a rear side or back side, the guide teeth 72 define a receiving seat 76 that contacts the top face 36 in the mounted state. In other words, also the skin contact face 74 and the receiving seat 76 are arranged at an angle α.

(33) So as to attach the attachment comb 60 to the blade set 22, particularly to relatively rigid reinforced lateral end portions thereof, a plurality of snap-on elements 78, 80 is provided at the attachment comb 60. Generally, the snap-on elements 78, 80 may be referred to as snap-on mounting elements. Particularly, respective pairs, preferably two pairs of proximal snap-on elements 78 and distal snap-on elements 80 may be provided. A first pair of snap-on elements 78, 80 may be associated with the first lateral grip bar 68. A second pair of snap-on elements 78, 80 may be associated with the second lateral grip bar 70. However, preferably the snap-on elements 78, 80 are not directly attached to the respective lateral grip bars 68, 70. Rather, the proximal snap-on elements 78 are arranged at a first, proximal side 84 of the attachment comb 60 and may extend from the (proximal) supporting bar 66. Further, the distal snap-on elements 80 are arranged on a second, distal side 86 of the attachment comb 60 and may extend from the (distal) supporting bar 64.

(34) A defined general mounting direction (and removal direction) is indicated in FIG. 5 by a double arrow 82. Preferably, the user grasps the attachment comb 60 at the lateral grip bars 68, 70, and generally positions and orients the attachment comb 60 in a fashion as shown in FIG. 5 and, eventually, approaches the blade set 22 in the mounting direction 82. This has the advantage that the user does not have to directly actuate the snap-on elements 78, 80. Rather, the snap-on elements 78, 80 are mediately actuated and deflected when detachment comb 60 contacts and engages the blade set 22.

(35) Further reference is made to FIGS. 7 to 11 showing the snap-on elements 78, 80 in more detail. So as to facilitate the engagement of the blade set 22 and the attachment comb 60, the proximal snap-on elements 78 are provided with an insertion ramp 88 and the distal snap-on elements 80 are provided with an insertion ramp 90. The insertion ramps 88, 90 define a tapered funnel-like geometry that facilitates the mounting process. Adjacent to the ramp 88 of the proximal snap-on elements 78, a retaining portion 92 is provided. Adjacent to the ramps 90 of the distal snap-on elements 80, a retaining portion 94 is provided. As can be best seen from FIG. 10, the retaining portions 92, 94 may inwardly protrude from the snap-on elements 78, 80 and may define a bottleneck or a constriction.

(36) In the mounted state, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11, the retaining portions 92, 94 may retain and secure the attachment comb 60 in the desired position and orientation at the blade set 22. A biasing force that may be attributed to a mounting deflection of the snap-on elements 78, 80 may basically act in the longitudinal direction X on the blade set 22. Apart from that, it is preferred that no biasing force or only a considerably small biasing force acts in the lateral direction Y on the blade set 22, even though the push-force applied by the user to the lateral grip bars 68, 70 is applied in the lateral direction Y, refer to the arrows 96 in FIG. 6

(37) Reference is again made to FIG. 5. As with the embodiment of FIG. 5, the proximal snap-on elements 78 may be formed at respective mounting teeth 98 that may form lateral end teeth of the attachment comb 60. So as to provide the snap-on elements 78 with the desired deflecting capability, the mounting teeth 98 may be interrupted or, more generally, provided with a weakening recess 100. Apart from that, also the mounting teeth 98 may contribute to the formation of the skin contact face 74 and/or the receiving seat 76. A rear portion of the mounting teeth 98 is indicated in FIG. 5 by reference numeral 112. The rear portion 112 extends from the distal supporting bar 64. The rear portion 112 of the mounting teeth 98 is considerably stiff and rigid. By contrast, the proximal snap-on elements 98 that form a frontal portion of the mounting teeth 98 are arranged in a considerably deflectable fashion. The recess or interruption between the proximal snap-on elements 78 and the rear portion 112 at the mounting teeth 98 is indicated in FIGS. 5 and 7 by reference numeral 100. As can be further seen from FIG. 5, the guide teeth 72, and also the mounting teeth 98 may be provided with rounded tips 102 that are arranged to contact the skin.

(38) As can be further seen from the bottom view of FIG. 6, and from the perspective bottom view of FIG. 7, lateral guide ribs 104 may inwardly extend from the lateral grip bars 68, 70. Preferably, the lateral guide rips 104 merely define a lateral position of the attachment comb 60 in the mounted state with respect to the blade set 22. However, the lateral guide rips 104 are not provided with engagement features, locking features or biasing features that are arranged to apply a force in the lateral direction Y onto the blade set 22. It is preferred that the lateral guide rips 104 are sufficiently spaced or offset from the lateral ends of the blade set 22 in the mounted state such that even a considerably increased level of a user's push force (reference numeral 96 in FIG. 6) does not directly influence or bias the blade set 22 in the lateral direction Y.

(39) As can be best seen from FIG. 7 and from FIG. 8, the distal snap-on elements 80 are arranged in a recess or slot 106 that is provided at the distal supporting bar 64. As a consequence, the distal snap-on elements 80 may be sufficiently deflectable so as to engage and retain the blade set 22 in cooperation with the opposite proximal snap-on elements 78.

(40) Further reference is made to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10. An engagement deflection of the proximal snap-on elements 78 is indicated in FIG. 10 by a curved double-arrow that is designated by reference numeral 114. An engagement deflection of the distal snap-on elements 80 is indicated in FIG. 10 by a curved double-arrow that is designated by reference numeral 116. As can be further seen, the proximal snap-on elements 78 are attached to the proximal supporting bar 66 at a bottom side (shifted away from the skin) of a plane that is defined by the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y that is opposite to a top or front side where the distal snap-on elements 80 are attached to the distal supporting bar 64. In other words, respective deflection zones or hinge portions 118, 120 of the snap-on elements 78, 80 may be arranged at opposite sides with respect to the afore-mentioned plane X-Y.

(41) The hinge portion 118 may be formed by a transition between the proximal snap-on elements 78 and the proximal supporting bar 66. The hinge portion 120 may be arranged at a transition between the distal snap-on elements 80 and the distal supporting bar 64. The hinge portions 118, 120 may be referred to as deflection zones. It goes without saying that the hinge portions 118, 120 do not necessarily have to be explicitly formed and shaped at the respective transition between the snap-on elements 78, 80 and the supporting bars 64, 66. Rather, an inherent flexibility of the snap-on elements 78, 80 or, more particularly, of the plastic material the attachment comb 60 is made from, may enable the required deflecting functionality.

(42) It goes without saying that the attachment comb 80 may be reversely and repeatedly attached to and removed from the blade set 22 of the hair cutting appliance 10. Hence, in the reversed mounted state, the proximal snap-on elements 78 may engage the second leading edge 34, and the distal snap-on elements 80 may engage the first leading edge 32.

(43) While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

(44) In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

(45) Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.