Clipper guard retaining system for barbering

Abstract

A wearable clipper guard retaining system 100 for barbering, comprises a retaining element 102, a fastening element 104, and a clipper guard(s) 106a-106f comprising a tag(s) 108a-108f. The retaining e

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to clipper guard retaining systems, and in particular clipper guard retaining systems for barbering. Background of the Invention There is a need for improved efficiency in the barbering industry. In particular, where clippers are used to cut hair, clipper guards are used to allow hair to be cut to a consistent length. Clipper guard sets may comprise eight, ten or more guards which, as they must all fit the same clipper, look very similar with only a length of the teeth varying between guards. Accordingly, it is easy to mix up the guards and cut hair to an incorrect length if care is not taken to inspect the guards when selected. Inspection takes time, reducing an efficiency of barbering, and distracts the barber, impairing the customer experience. In addition, a barber may need to select a guard from a large set which may entail searching through a tray of guards on a trolley or a shelf. This is not efficient or ergonomic as the barber may be required to bend down to reach or identify each guard, and this may be required several times per haircut. To address these issues, clipper guard sets comprising magnets have been developed. Magnetic clipper guards are quicker to apply and remove from a clipper and are not prone to breakage if treated roughly. The magnets also allow the barber to set down the clipper guard on a magnetic material and retrieve it from the same place later, reducing a need to carefully inspect the clipper guard each time it is used. However, magnetic clipper guards are prone to attracting one another and becoming magnetically coupled together in a tray. Two hands may be required to separate the guards from one another to find the correct one and separate it from the other guards. As such, there is a need fora more efficient clipper guard system using which a barber may easily select and deselect clipper guards without making an error or spending time inspecting and separating clipper guards. Objects and aspects of the present claimed invention seek to alleviate at least these problems with the prior art. Summary of the Invention At its most general, the present invention provides a clipper guard retaining system. The system comprises a retaining element that is configured to receive and magnetically removably retain a plurality of clipper guards to provide convenient access to each clipper guard of the plurality of clipper guards during barbering, as well as neat and tidy storage of the plurality of clipper guards when not in use. The wearable clipper guard retaining system for barbering comprises a retaining element configured to be worn by a user, the retaining element comprising a magnetic material; a fastening element configured to couple the retaining element to a user such that the retaining element is worn by the user; and a clipper guard comprising a tag; wherein the tag comprises a magnet; wherein, in use, the tag is configured to be magnetically removably retained upon a clipper; and wherein, when not in use, the tag is configured to be magnetically removably retained upon a magnetic material of the retaining element. The retaining element may comprise a board comprising a retaining portion and a fastening portion. The retaining portion may comprise the magnetic material. The fastening portion may be configured to be coupled to the user by the fastening element. A width of the fastening portion may be smaller than a width of the retaining portion. The retaining portion may further comprise a neck wherein a width of the neck is smaller than a width of the retaining portion and a width of the fastening portion. The retaining element may comprise a board wherein the magnetic material is recessed into a surface of the board. The magnetic material may be distributed across a surface of the board. The board may be formed of a magnetic material. The magnetic material may be any suitable magnetic material. The magnetic material may be coupled to the board in any suitable manner. The magnetic material may be coupled to the board by friction e.g. a tight fit such as a press fit or an interference fit, by an adhesive, by encapsulation e.g. during injection moulding, or by mechanical fasteners. The fastening element may comprise any suitable fastening element configured to couple the retaining element to a user. For example, the fastening element may comprise a strap configured to be secured around a limb of a user, a clip configured to be attached to the clothing of a user, or a loop configured to be passed through by a belt of a user. The fastening element may comprise any one selected from the range: hook and loop fastener; quarter-turn quick release fastener; spring clip; button and buttonhole; buckle and strap. The retaining element may be configured to hand from an item of clothing worn by the user. The fastening element may comprise a first fastening element and a second fastening element. The first fastening element may be configured to be removably coupled to a user. The second fastening element may be configured to be removably coupled to the first fastening element such that the retaining element is disposed between the first fastening element and the second fastening element. The second fastening element may be integrally formed with the retaining element. Alternatively, the second fastening element may be formed separately from the retaining element and fixedly or removably coupled to the retaining element during assembly. The second fastening element may be configured to be momentarily releasable from the first fastening element. A spring may be disposed between the first fastening element and the second fastening element when the second fastening element is coupled to the first fastening element. The spring may be configured to assist a decoupling of the second fastening element from the first fastening element. The clipper guard may be formed as one part with the tag. Alternatively, the clipper guard may be formed separately to the tag. The clipper guard and the tag may be coupled together in any suitable manner. The tag may comprise a proximal end which is coupled to the clipper guard. The tag may comprise a distal end. A magnet may be disposed at or near to the distal end of the tag. The clipper guard may comprise a slot, through which one end of a tag is configured to pass. The proximal end of the tag may comprise an anchoring element configured not to pass through the slot. For example, the anchoring element may be too large to pass through the slot in at least one dimension. The distal end of the tag may pass through the slot to thread the clipper guard onto the tag, and the anchoring element of the proximal end of the tag may prevent a separation of the tag and clipper guard by not passing through the slot. A magnet may be coupled to the distal end of the tag after the distal end of the tag is passed through the slot. The distal end of the tag may be configured not to pass through the slot when the magnet is coupled to the distal end of the tag. In this way, the magnet may prevent a distal end being passed back through the slot and the clipper guard becoming loose from the tag. Alternatively, the proximal end of the tag may be manipulated into a first arrangement in which it may pass through the slot, after which it is manipulated into a second arrangement in which may not pass through the slot. For example, the anchoring element of the proximal end may pass through the slot when elastically deformed, e.g. squashed or folded. When the anchoring element is released and returns to its original shape, it may not pass through the slot. While anchoring the tag to the clipper guard, the anchoring element may be received in a blind recess of the clipper guard to provide a low profile anchoring of the tag and the clipper guard, and to prevent the clipper guard from advancing along a length of the tag. The clipper guard comprises a tag comprising a magnet, the magnet being configured to enable the tag to be magnetically removably retained upon magnetic material. In use, the clipper guard may be retained upon a clipper comprising magnetic material via the magnet of the tag. When not in use, the clipper guard may be retained upon the retaining element via the magnet of the tag. In this way, the clipper guard is conveniently retained upon the clipper when in use, and neatly retained upon the retaining element when not in use; improving an ease of switching a clipper between being guarded and unguarded during barbering, and improving an organisation of storage of the clipper guard. The system may comprise a plurality of clipper guards. Each clipper guard of the plurality of clipper guards comprises a tag, each tag comprises a magnet. Each magnet is configured to enable its respective tag to be magnetically removably retained upon magnetic material. In use, each clipper guard may be retained upon a clipper comprising magnetic material via the magnet of its tag. When not in use, each clipper guard may be retained upon the retaining element via the magnet of its tag. In this way, the clipper guards are conveniently retained upon the clipper when in use, and neatly retained upon the retaining element when not in use; improving an ease of switching between clipper guards during barbering, and improving an organisation of storage of the clipper guards. Further, when not in use, each clipper guard of the plurality of clipper guards may be configured to be magnetically removably retained upon another clipper guard of the plurality of clipper guards. In this way, the clipper guards may be magnetically connected together. By being connected together, the plurality of clipper guards may be stored in a compact manner. The clipper guards may be stored independently of the retaining element. The clipper guards may be configured to tessellate neatly together, for example, to stack one on top of another. By being connected together, the plurality of clipper guards may form a complete set which may be less likely to become incomplete through loss of, or damage to, a clipper guard than if the plurality of clipper guards were not connected together. The retaining element may comprise a magnet. In this way, the retaining element and the tag of the clipper guard may both comprise magnets. The magnet of the tag of the clipper guard may be configured to be magnetically removably retained upon a magnet of the retaining element. This may improve an attractive force between the tag and the retaining element which may improve a security of the clipper guard when it is magnetically removably retained on the retaining element. This may avoid a clipper guard falling from the retaining element, for example, if the clipper guard is knocked or the retaining element is shaken. This may avoid a clipper guard being lost or damaged, e.g. through being trodden on having fallen on the floor. The retaining element comprises a plurality of magnets. In this way, the retaining element may be adapted to receive a plurality of clipper guards. Each clipper guard of the plurality of clipper guards may be configured to be retained upon a magnet of the plurality of magnets of the retaining element. In this way, the retaining element may securely retain a plurality of clipper guards in a convenient manner for use during barbering and a neat and organised manner during storage. The tag of the clipper guards may be flexible to accommodate movement of the clipper guard relative to the retaining element while being magnetically removably retained upon the retaining element. The tag may comprise a flexible material. For example, the tag may be formed from an elastic material. The tag may comprise a portion of flexible material. For example, the tag may comprise a plurality of inflexible sections, wherein each inflexible section is linked to adjacent inflexible sections by flexible material to provide a flexible tag. The flexible material may comprise a fabric, leather, rubber or plastic material. A magnet may be coupled to a tag comprising a flexible material by stitches. For example, a magnet may be disposed between two layers of flexible material which are stitched together around the magnet such that magnet is captive within a pocket. Further elements may be stitched into a tag comprising a flexible material. For example, rigid elements may be stitched into the tag to provide stiffness to the tag. Such elements may form stiff sections of the tag which may locally reduce a flexibility of the tag to tune the flexibility of the tag as a whole and reduce a risk of the tag becoming damaged. The tag may comprise a flexible shape. In other words, the tag may be configured to have a low stiffness to bending forces in a first direction. The tag may be elongated such that the tag is flexible about an axis normal to an elongated dimension. The tag may comprise a coiled section that is configured to be stretched and compressed to provide flexibility. The tag may comprise a flexible mechanism. For example, the tag may comprise a hinge. The hinge may be disposed between adjacent portions of the tag and configured to enable the adjacent portions to rotate independently from one another. In this way, a hinge may provide a flexibility to the tag. The tag may comprise any suitable flexible mechanism. The tag may comprise a compliant portion. The compliant portion may be a portion with a reduced thickness relative to adjacent portions of the tag. The compliant portion may act as a hinge to provide flexibility to the tag. The flexible mechanism may comprise a limiting element, for example an end-stop, configured to limit a range of motion of the tag. For example, the tag may be able to approach a first side of a clipper guard, but may be prevented, by the limiting element, from approaching a second, opposite, side of a clipper guard. When the limiting element is preventing a motion of the tag, the mechanism of the tag may not be flexible but may be inflexible, or stiff. A stiff mechanism may transfer forces along a length of the tag. For example, a force urging the tag against the limiting element, causing the mechanism of the tag to become inflexible, may be transferred along the tag to the clipper guard. In this way, the tag may be configured to act as a biasing element, biasing the clipper guard into engagement with the clipper. By being flexible, the clipper guard tag may provide an energy absorption function. Energy input to the clipper guard, e.g. through impact such as a knock, may be at least partially absorbed by the flexible tag and not transferred to a distal end of the flexible tag where a magnet is disposed. In this way, the flexible tag may prevent forces incident on the clipper guard being transferred to the magnet, or limit their effect on the magnet. This may provide a more secure magnetic coupling of the magnet and the retaining system when not in use, and the magnet and the clipper when in use. In this way, the clipper guards may be less likely to become uncoupled from the retaining system or the clipper through knocks or jolts to the retaining system or the clipper. The resilient clipper guard coupling provided by the flexible tag comprising a magnet may provide a more convenient clipper guard retaining system. A barber may not need to take care not to accidentally dislodge the clipper guards from the clipper, or from the retaining system, while barbering. A barber may not need to stop and retrieve accidentally dislodged clipper guards from the floor. A barber may not need to repair or replace clipper guards that have become damaged by falling or by being crushed underfoot after being accidentally dislodged from the clipper or retaining system. Accordingly, the clipper guard retaining system is secure, convenient and efficient. The tag of the clipper guard may be flexibly coupled to the clipper guard such that the tag is configured to rotate relative to the clipper guard. The tag may be coupled to the clipper guard by any suitable coupling. The tag may be coupled to the clipper guard by a rotatable coupling. The rotatable coupling may allow the tag to rotate relative to the clipper guard. In other words, when the clipper guard is coupled to the retaining element by the magnet of the tag, the clipper guard may be able to twist left and right while the magnet remains stationary. A suitable rotatable coupling may be a press stud, a popper or a snap fastener. In a similar way, the tag may be flexibly coupled to the magnet such that the tag is configured to rotate relative to the magnet. In other words, when the tag is coupled to the retaining element by the magnet, the tag may be able to twist left and right while the magnet remains stationary. In this way, when the clipper guard is coupled to the retaining element by the magnet of the tag, the clipper guard may swing left and right while the magnet remains stationary. By being able to rotate relative to one another, the magnet, tag and clipper guard are provided with an improved flexible coupling. If a clipper guard is, for example, knocked, jolted or shaken, the tag and / or the magnet may be isolated from any resulting rotational movement. In this way the magnetic coupling of the magnet and the retaining element, or the magnet and the clipper, may be unaffected and the clipper guard may not become dislodged. The retaining element may be configured to provide a dedicated position in which the magnet of the tag of the clipper guard is configured to be disposed when the tag is removably retained upon the magnetic material of the retaining element. The dedicated position may provide somewhere to repeatably replace the magnet of the tag of the clipper guard. In this way, the dedicated position may improve an organisation of the clipper guards. A barber may know where on the retaining element the clipper guard may be found, as it is always in substantially the same place. In this way, a barber may be able to select a clipper guard from the retaining element without looking at the retaining element. This may save the barber time and not serve to distract the barber. The dedicated position may be indicated to a user by a visible marker. The visible marker may be any suitable marker. For example, the visible marker may be an area of the retaining element that is a different colour from the surrounding area. Alternatively, the visible marker may be a number configured to correspond to a number of a clipper guard that is visible, e.g. printed, on the retaining element at or near the dedicated position. The visible marker may allow a barber to identify the dedicated positions by sight when adding a clipper guard to, or removing a clipper guard from, the retaining element. The dedicated position may be indicated to a user by a tactile marker. The tactile marker may be any suitable marker. For example, the tactile marker may be an area of the retaining element that is a different texture from the surrounding area. Alternatively, the tactile marker may be a number configured to correspond to a number of a clipper guard that is tactile, e.g. stamped or embossed, on the retaining element at or near the dedicated position. The tactile marker may allow a barber to identify the dedicated positions by touch when adding a clipper guard to, or removing a clipper guard from, the retaining element. In addition, the barber may be able to detect by touch when a clipper guard is correctly replaced on the retaining element by detecting the attraction of the magnet in the clipper guard to the magnetic material in the retaining element. Preferably, the retaining element may also comprise a tactile guider that is configured to guide the barber towards the dedicated position. In this way, when the barber touches the clipper guard they may know which way to move their hand to find the clipper guard. For example, the retaining element may provide grooves or protrusions extending between an edge of the retaining element and a dedicated position. In this way, the tactile guider may cover a large area and provide guidance towards the tactile marker and therefore the dedicated position from more places on the retaining element. In use, when the barber wants to remove a clipper guard from the retaining element, the barber may touch the retaining element without looking and detect, by touch, a groove of the tactile guider. The barber may then follow the groove to find the tactile marker and therefore the dedicated position and the clipper guard. When the barber wants to replace a clipper guard on the retaining element, the barber may touch the retaining element with the clipper guard without looking and detect, by touch, a groove of the tactile guider. The barber may then drag the clipper guard along the groove to find the tactile marker and, thereby, the dedicated position. When the barber detects, by touch, the tactile marker, the barber knows that the clipper guard is secure in the dedicated position, the barber may release the clipper guard. The system may comprise a plurality of clipper guards, each clipper guard comprising a tag comprising a magnet; and wherein the retaining element is configured to provide a plurality of dedicated positions in which a magnet of a tag of a clipper guard of the plurality of clipper guards is configured to be disposed when the tag is removably retained upon the magnetic material of the retaining element. When a plurality of clipper guards are coupled to the retaining element, the magnet of each clipper guard may occupy a dedicated position. In other words, each clipper guard may be arranged on a retaining element in a repeatable position such that the clipper guards are arranged in an order. For example, the clipper guards may be arranged in ascending order of guard length. In this way, a barber may know where on the retaining element each clipper guard may be found as they are arranged in a known order. The dedicated positions may be arranged at regular intervals on the retaining element. For example, each dedicated position may be separated from adjacent dedicated positions by a distance. The distance may correspond to an average length of a clipper guard. The dedicated positions may be arranged at intervals; and a size of each interval may be proportional to a size of the clipper guard which is configured to be retained at a dedicated position adjacent to the interval. In this way, the dedicated position configured to receive the smallest clipper guard may be separated from an adjacent dedicated position by a small distance, and the dedicated position configured to receive the largest clipper guard may be separated from an adjacent dedicated position by a large distance. This may provide space efficient storage of the clipper guards on the retaining element as the retaining element may be suitably sized to fit the clipper guards. The dedicated positions may be arranged such that each clipper guard of the plurality of clipper guards at least partially overlaps with an adjacent clipper guard of the plurality of clipper guards when the plurality of clipper guards is removably retained upon the magnetic material of the retaining element. In other words, the dedicated positions may be close together such that, when a clipper guard is secured in a dedicated position, the clipper guard at least partially covers an adjacent dedicated position. In this way, when the plurality of clipper guards is arranged on the retaining element, each clipper guard may overlap with an adjacent clipper guard. For example, a magnet of a tag of a clipper guard may be arranged underneath a clipper guard secured in an adjacent dedicated position. As a result, the retaining element may be compact. This may improve a space efficiency of the retaining element. The clipper guard may comprise a first securing clip disposed on a first side of the clipper guard and configured to engage with a first side of a clipper; and a second securing clip disposed on a second side of the clipper guard and configured to engage with a second opposite side of the clipper; wherein the first securing clip and the second securing clip are configured to retain the clipper guard on a blade of the clipper and between the first side and the second side of the clipper. In other words, the securing clips are configured to inhibit the accidental removal of the clipper guard from the clipper. Further, the securing clips are configured to retain the clipper guard in substantially one position on the clipper, i.e. to inhibit movement of the clipper guard relative to the clipper during clipping. Preferably, the first securing clip and the second securing clip are configured to retain the clipper guard substantially centrally between the first side and the second side of the clipper. For example, the first securing clip may be arranged on a left hand side of the clipper guard and may be configured to extend from the left hand side of the clipper guard in a direction perpendicular to a clipper blade. The second securing clip may be arranged on a right hand side of the clipper guard and may be configured to extend from the right hand side of the clipper guard in a direction perpendicular to a clipper blade. In use, the clipper guard may be retained on a clipper to dispose the first and second securing clips on opposite sides of the clipper such that the securing clips inhibit a movement of a clipper guard with respect to the clipper. The securing clips may be integrally formed with the clipper guard. The securing clips may fit tightly to the clipper such that the clipper guard is inflexibly coupled to the clipper. In this way, the clipper guard may be retained on a blade of the clipper and substantially centrally between the first side and the second side of the clipper. In normal use, the clipper guard is securely coupled to the clipper by the magnetic tag and the securing clips such that the clipper guard does not move with respect to the clipper during clipping. For example, the securing clips make it harder for the clipper guard to be lifted away from the clipper, or knocked sideways off the clipper during clipping. Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 depicts a front view of a wearable clipper guard retaining system according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 depicts a front view of a retaining element of the wearable clipper guard retaining system of Fig. 1; Figure 3 depicts a front view of a fastening element of the wearable clipper guard retaining system of Fig. 1 in an unfastened state; Figure 4 depicts a perspective view of a clipper guard of the wearable clipper guard retaining system of Fig. 1; and Figure 5 depicts a side view of a plurality of clipper guards of the wearable clipper guard retaining system of Fig. 1. Detailed Description With reference to Figure 1, a wearable clipper guard retaining system 100 for barbering is illustrated. The wearable clipper guard retaining system 100 comprises a retaining element 102 configured to be worn by a user, the retaining element 102 comprising a magnetic material; a fastening element 104 configured to couple the retaining element 102 to a user such that the retaining element 102 is worn by the user; and a clipper guard 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106f comprising a tag 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, 108e, 108f; wherein the tag 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, 108e, 108f comprises a magnet; wherein, in use, the tag 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, 108e, 108f is configured to be magnetically removably retained upon a clipper; and wherein, when not in use, the tag 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, 108e, 108f is configured to be magnetically removably retained upon a magnetic material of the retaining element 102. Figure 1 illustrates a plurality of clipper guards, each clipper guard 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106f of the plurality of clipper guards comprising a tag 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, 108e, 108f, each tag 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, 108e, 108f comprising a magnet. The retaining element 102 comprises a board having a substantially flat surface upon which the tags 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, 108e, 108fofthe clipper guards 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106f are magnetically removably retained. As shown in Fig. 1, the clipper guards 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106f are configured to at least partially overlap with one another when the magnets of the tags 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, 108e, 108fofthe clipper guards 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106f are magnetically removably retained on the retaining element 102. In this way, the retaining element provides a convenient arrangement of the clipper guards 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106f for use in barbering, and a compact and neat arrangement of the clipper guards 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106f for storage. Figure 2 depicts the retaining element 102 of Fig. 1. The retaining element 102 comprises a plurality of magnets 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f. The magnets 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f are recessed into the board of the retaining element 102 and are fixed to the board by friction. A tight fit is achieved between recesses of the board and the magnets 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f to provide sufficient friction to hold the magnets in place. The tight fit may be an interference fit or a press fit. The magnets 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f are fixed by friction into a back or reverse side of the board, and the clipper guards 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106f are configured to be retained upon a front side of the board. In this way, when the clipper guards 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106f are retained upon the magnets 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f, the magnets 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f are further fixed to the board by magnetic attraction to the clipper guards 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106f acting through the board of the retaining element 102. The magnets 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f are arranged in a grid comprising two columns and three rows. The magnets 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f are spaced at regular intervals. In other words, a distance between magnet 202a and magnet 202b is the same as a distance between magnet 202d and magnet 202e. The retaining element 102 of Fig. 2 comprises a retaining portion 204 and a fastening portion 206. A neck portion 208 is disposed between the retaining portion 204 and the fastening portion 206. The retaining portion 204 of the retaining element 102 has a width that is greater than a width of the fastening portion 206. The neck portion 208 has a width that is smaller than a width of the retaining portion 204 and smaller than a width of the fastening portion 206. The fastening portion 206 comprises an aperture 210. The fastening element 104 is configured to engage with the aperture 210 to fasten the retaining element 102 to the user. The retaining element 102 comprises a plurality of dedicated positions in which a magnet of a tag of a clipper guard is configured to be disposed when the tag is removably retained upon the retaining element. The dedicated positions correspond to the location of the magnets 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f. The retaining element comprises markers configured to indicate to a user the location of the dedicated positions, and guiders configured to guide a user towards the location of the dedicated positions. In Fig. 2 the guiders comprise grooves 214a, 214b, 214c. In Fig. 2 the markers comprise protrusions 212a, 212b, 212c, 212d, 212e 212f. The grooves 214a, 214b, 214c and protrusions 212a, 212b, 212c, 212d, 212e212f are configured to provide a visible and tactile indication of the location of the dedicated positions to the user. In this way, the user may easily, by sight or by touch, locate a magnet of a tag of a clipper guard on the retaining element. The protrusions also aid in preventing the guards from being knocked off the retaining element by providing a partial barrier around the dedicated positions. Figure 3 depicts the fastening element 104 of Fig. 1. The fastening element 104 comprises a first fastening element 302 and a second fastening element 304. The first fastening element 302 is configured to be removably coupled to a user. The first fastening element 302 comprises a clip 306 configured to be clipped to a belt of a user. The second fastening element 304 is configured to be removably coupled to the first fastening element 302 such that the retaining element 102 is disposed between the first fastening element 302 and the second fastening element 304 when the retaining element 102 is worn by the user. The first fastening element 302 comprises a first interlocking portion 308. The second fastening element 304 comprises a second interlocking portion 310. The first interlocking portion 308 and the second interlocking portion 310 are configured to lock together when engaged and rotated by a quarter turn in a first direction. In the same way, the first interlocking portion 308 and the second interlocking portion 310 are configured to unlock from one another when engaged and rotated by a quarter turn in a second direction. The second fastening element 304 is configured to be momentarily releasable from the first fastening element 302. A spring 312 is disposed in the second interlocking portion 310 of the second fastening element 304. In use, the spring 312 is disposed between the first interlocking portion 308 of the first fastening element 302 and the second interlocking portion 310 of the second fastening element 304 when the second fastening element 304 is coupled to the first fastening element 302. The spring 312 may be configured to assist a decoupling of the second fastening element 304 from the first fastening element 302. Figure 4 depicts a clipper guard 106a of Fig. 1. The clipper guard 106a comprises the tag 108a and a magnet 402. The tag 108a is flexible to accommodate movement of the clipper guard 106a relative to the retaining element 102 while being magnetically removably retained upon the retaining element 102. The tag 108a comprises a flexible shape by being elongated away from the clipper guard 106a in a direction parallel to teeth 404 of the clipper guard. Further, the tag 108a comprises a flexible material. In this way, when the magnet 402 of the tag 108a of the clipper guard 106a is retained against the magnet 202a of the retaining element 102 of Fig. 2, the clipper guard 106a may move, e.g. be knocked or shaken about, without being removed from the retaining element 102. In this way, the clipper guard 106a may be securely retained upon the retaining element 102. Further due to the flexible nature of the clipper guard, the teeth 404 of the clipper guard 106a may not interfere with the ability of the magnet 402 to be magnetically removably retained upon the retaining element 102. The tag 108a is coupled to the clipper guard 106a by a flexible coupling, not shown. In this way, the tag 108a is configured to be rotatable relative to the clipper guard 106a. The tag 108a may rotate relative to the clipper guard 106a about an axis 406 passing through the coupling of the tag 108a and the clipper guard 106a. The magnet 402 is fixed to the tag 108a by an adhesive. The magnet 402 is disposed within a recess in the tag 108a configured to receive the magnet 402. Figure 5 shows the plurality of clipper guards 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106f of Fig. 1 magnetically connected together as a clipper guard set 502. When the clipper guard set 502 is notin use, each clipper guard 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106fofthe clipper guard set 502 is configured to be magnetically removably retained upon another clipper guard 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106f of the clipper guard set 502 via magnets 402. In this way, the clipper guard set 502 may be arranged in a compact manner for storage. This arrangement may not provide easy access to each individual clipper guard 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106f so may not be preferred while the clipper guards set is in use. This compact arrangement may be preferred when space efficiency is a high priority, for example, during transportation. Further embodiments within the scope of the present invention may be envisaged that have not been described above, for example, the wearable clipper guard retaining system may be used in the grooming of animals, e.g. dogs. Further, the retaining element may be worn by a user in any suitable manner. For example, the user may connect the retaining element around their arm or leg, attach it to their belt or an apron, or wear it as a harness. Further, the retaining element may be configured to retain any number of clipper guards. Additionally, the retaining element may have any suitable shape or number, for example the retaining element may comprise two retaining elements configured to be attached to either side of the user’s body. The clipper guards may be magnetically removably retained in any suitable way upon the retaining element and / or the clipper. The magnet may be coupled to the tag in any suitable way. The tag may have any suitable dimensions. Each clipper guard may comprise multiple tags. Each clipper guard may 5 be configured to comprise a tag selected from a range of tags, for example, a range of tags comprising a variety of lengths configured to suit a variety of clippers. The retaining element may have any suitable dimensions. The fastening element may comprise any suitable fastening method. In addition, the components of the invention may be formed of any suitable material. 10 To provide convenient access to, and secure retaining of, clipper guards, awearable clipper guard retaining system for barbering is required. The present invention provides improvements to the security and organisation of the clipper guards when retained on the retaining element which leads to improved convenience of clipper guard retaining system. The invention is not limited to the specific examples or structures illustrated, a greater number of components than are 15 illustrated in the figures could be used, for example.

Claims

1. A wearable clipper guard retaining system for barbering, the system comprising:a retaining element configured to be worn by a user, the retaining element comprising a magnetic material;a fastening element configured to couple the retaining element to a user such that the retaining element is worn by the user; anda clipper guard comprising a tag; wherein the tag comprises a magnet;wherein, in use, the tag is configured to be magnetically removably retained upon a clipper; andwherein, when not in use, the tag is configured to be magnetically removably retained upon a magnetic material of the retaining element.

2. A wearable clipper guard retaining system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises a plurality of clipper guards.

3. A wearable clipper guard retaining system according to claim 2, wherein, when not in use, each clipper guard of the plurality of clipper guards is configured to be magnetically removably retained upon another clipper guard of the plurality of clipper guards.

4. A wearable clipper guard retaining system according to any preceding claim, wherein the retaining element comprises a magnet.

5. A wearable clipper guard retaining system according to claim 4, wherein the retaining element comprises a plurality of magnets.

6. A wearable clipper guard retaining system according to any preceding claim, wherein the tag is flexible to accommodate movement of the clipper guard relative to the retaining element while being magnetically removably retained upon the retaining element.

7. A wearable clipper guard retaining system according to any preceding claim, wherein the tag is flexibly coupled to the clipper guard such that the tag is configured to rotate relative to the clipper guard.

8. A wearable clipper guard retaining system according to any preceding claim, wherein the retaining element is configured to provide a dedicated position in which the magnet of the tag ofthe clipper guard is configured to be disposed when the tag is removably retained upon the magnetic material of the retaining element.

9. A wearable clipper guard retaining system according to claim 8, wherein the dedicated position is indicated to a user by a visible marker.

10. A wearable clipper guard retaining system according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the dedicated position is indicated to a user by a tactile marker.

11. A wearable clipper guard retaining system according to any preceding claim, wherein the system comprises a plurality of clipper guards, each clipper guard comprising a tag comprising a magnet; andwherein the retaining element is configured to provide a plurality of dedicated positions in which a magnet of a tag of a clipper guard of the plurality of clipper guards is configured to be disposed when the tag is removably retained upon the magnetic material of the retaining element.

12. A wearable clipper guard retaining system according to claim 11, wherein the dedicated positions are arranged at regular intervals on the retaining element.

13. A wearable clipper guard retaining system according to claim 12, wherein the dedicated positions are arranged at intervals; andwherein a size of each interval is proportional to a size of the clipper guard which is configured to be retained at a dedicated position adjacent to the interval.

14. A wearable clipper guard retaining system according any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the dedicated positions are arranged such that each clipper guard of the plurality of clipper guards at least partially overlaps with an adjacent clipper guard of the plurality of clipper guards when the plurality of clipper guards is removably retained upon the magnetic material of the retaining element.

15. A wearable clipper guard retaining system according any preceding claim, wherein the clipper guard comprises:a first securing clip disposed on a first side of the clipper guard and configured to engage with a first side of a clipper; anda second securing clip disposed on a second side of the clipper guard and configured to engage with a second opposite side of the clipper;wherein the first securing clip and the second securing clip are configured to retain the clipper guard on a blade of the clipper and between the first side and the second side of the clipper.

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