Multi-function hair styling device having a rotating attachment that is lockable in position relative to the handle - Patents.com

Abstract

To provide a new portable multi-functional hair styling device which is used in especially practical, easy, reliable and safe manners.SOLUTION: In a portable hair styling device (1), an attachment (6) which is connected to a handle (2) and includes first and second outlets (12, 13) that are different from each other comprises: lock means which is rotatably attached to the handle so as to move between the first configuration in which the air flow is blown out by the first air outlet (12) and the second configuration in which the air flow is blown out by the second air outlet (13), and locks the attachment (6) in at least one of the first and second configurations in order to prevent the separation of the attachment (6) from the first or second configuration where the attachment (6) is placed; and a control member (21) which allows a user to control locking and / or unlocking of the attachment (6).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the general technical field of hair styling devices, for example for home use, and more particularly to the field of portable hair styling devices designed to deliver a stream of air to dry and / or facilitate styling of the hair. [Background technology]

[0002] Handheld hair dryer type hair styling devices are known, which comprise a blowing head, including an air outlet, for directing a forced hot or cold air flow onto the hair of a user, and a handle. Such hair dryers may be used primarily to dry wet hair by evaporation of water under the effect of the air flow blown by the hair dryer (drying function), but may also be used in combination with several removable accessories designed to facilitate tying up the hair (hair styling aid function). These accessories, which are intended to become fixed to the head of the hair dryer and to be traversed by the air flow emitted by the blowing head, and which may be, for example, of the diffuser or concentrator type, form end pieces that modify the shape of the air flow blown by the blowing head of the hair dryer.

[0003] These known hair dryers, although generally satisfactory, still have their own disadvantages. In particular, the transfer of the hair dryer from a mode of use for drying to a mode of use for hair styling requires the user to carry out an operation of assembling / disassembling the accessories. Such operations can sometimes prove to be tedious, and there is a not inconsiderable risk of burns when handling the accessories, and furthermore a risk of losing the accessories when they are quite simply not organised, out of reach and cannot be reached by the user when he wishes to use them. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The object given to the present invention therefore aims to propose a novel portable multifunctional hair styling device, which is at the same time particularly practical, simple, reliable and safe to use, even for a user who does not have any particular professional skills in the field of hair styling.

[0005] Another object of the invention aims to propose a novel portable hair styling device that is ergonomic and especially designed to be intuitive to use.

[0006] Another object of the invention aims to propose a novel portable hair styling device of particularly simple and compact construction.

[0007] Another object of the invention aims to propose a novel portable hair styling device that is particularly robust and reliable.

[0008] Another object of the invention aims to propose a novel portable hair styling device, making it possible to obtain particularly effective drying and tidying of the hair in comfortable conditions of use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The object given in the present invention is achieved by means of a portable hair styling device comprising a handle to be held by hand, an integrated blower module for generating an air flow, and an accessory coupled to the handle, the accessory having first and second air outlets distinct from one another, said accessory being rotatably mounted relative to the handle for moving between at least one first angular configuration in which an air flow is directed by the accessory via the first air outlet, and a second angular configuration in which an air flow is directed by the accessory via the second air outlet, said device further comprising locking means for locking the accessory relative to the handle in at least one of said first and second angular configurations to prevent the accessory from moving away from the first or second angular configuration in which it is located, and a control member enabling a user of the device to control the locking and / or unlocking of the accessory by means of the locking means.

[0010] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be described and explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, given solely as non-limiting examples, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 illustrates in side view an embodiment of a hair styling device according to the invention, in which the attachment is preferably designed to move rotatably relative to the handle of the device between a first angular configuration corresponding to a "hair dryer" mode of use and a second angular configuration corresponding to a "blow brush" mode of use. In Figure 1, the attachment is in the first angular configuration, which is locked by the locking means of the device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates in a side view the embodiment of the hair styling device of FIG. 1, where the attachment is in a second angular configuration, which is locked by the locking means of the device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 illustrates the hair styling device of FIG. 2 in a front view. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 illustrates the hair styling device of FIG. 2 in a rear view. [Diagram 5]FIG. 2 illustrates, by way of a cross-section along a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the attachment of the device of FIG. 1, the design of the device, and in particular the details of its locking means. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section of the device of FIGS. 1 and 5, illustrating in a cutaway view the design of the device and in particular the details of its locking means. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 illustrates, in a cutaway view, the design of the device of figures 1, 5 and 6, in particular the details of its locking means, in which the outer envelope of the attachment has been omitted and the control member and the inner deflector have been made transparent in order to reveal some preferred design aspects. [Figure 8] FIG. 5 illustrates, by a cut view along a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the attachment of the hair styling device of FIGS. 2 to 4, the design of the device, in particular the details of its locking means. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-section along a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the attachment of the hair styling device of FIGS. 2 to 4 and 8, illustrating in a cutaway view the design of the device, in particular the details of its locking means. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 illustrates, by way of cutaway views, the design of the device of figures 2 to 4, 8 and 9, in particular the details of its locking means. In order to clarify some preferred design aspects, the outer envelope of the attachment has been omitted and the control member and the inner deflector have been made transparent. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The hair styling device 1 according to the invention is a portable hair styling device designed to be held and handled by hand. It refers to a hair styling device that is preferably intended for use within the context of the home by a user without any special professional skills in the field of hair styling, i.e. in terms of drying, hair styling and hair tidying. Preferably, the hair styling device 1 is designed so that the user uses the device 1 on himself, i.e. on his own hair. However, it is entirely conceivable that the device 1 is designed for use by the user on the hair of a third party without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0013] The hair styling device 1, a preferred embodiment of which is illustrated in the figures, comprises a hand-held handle 2 (or handle) intended to be held by the user in order to handle the hair styling device 1. The handle 2 extends longitudinally, preferably along a first axis A-A', between a first end 3 and an opposite second end 4. The hair styling device 1 also comprises a blower module 5, which is built-in and designed to generate a (forced) air flow, and an attachment 6 (or blowing head) connected to the handle 2 and intended to be directed outside the hair styling device 1 so that the air flow generated by the blower module 5 can be projected towards the user's hair. The hair styling device 1 comprises an air inlet 7 through which ambient air can be sucked in by the blower module 5 to be blown towards the user's hair. The blower module 5, which preferably includes a ventilator driven by an electric motor as known, can be arranged inside the handle 2 or inside the attachment 6. More preferably, however, the blower module 5 of the hair styling device 1 is assembled to the handle 2 at its first end 3. Preferably, the attachment 6 is connected to the handle 2 at its second end 4, and more preferably, so that the attachment 6 extends the handle 2 from the second end 4, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures. Preferably, the blower module 5 is integrated into the handle 2 at its first end 3 without the possibility of movement, and in particular rotation, of the blower module 5 relative to the handle 2. The blower module 5 is thus preferably spaced apart from the attachment 6 and the handle 2. In this way, it is possible to dimension the blower module 5 economically and without affecting the overall external dimensions of the attachment 6 and the handle 2 to generate a high volume of air flow F. Moreover, such an arrangement of the blower module 5 contributes to ergonomics and comfort of use by better balancing the weight of the hair styling device 1, preferably by allocation of mass to both sides of the handle 2.As discussed above and illustrated in the figures, when the blower module 5 is disposed within the handle 2 or assembled to the handle 2 at its first end 3, the hair styling device 1 may preferably include a guide channel 8 provided on the inside of the handle 2 for guiding the airflow generated by the blower module 5 towards the attachment 6.

[0014] Preferably, the hair styling device 1 also includes a heating element provided for increasing the temperature of the air flow generated by the blower module 5. The heating element is integrated inside the hair styling device 1 and arranged to be wedged in the air flow F generated by the blower module 5. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the heating element is preferably positioned inside the air flow guide channel 8 provided in the handle 2, as mentioned above. The heating element, as it is known per se, is typically an electric heating element that works on the principle of the Joule effect and includes at least one heating electrical resistance formed from a conductive wire (not shown) wound around an insulating core 9. Alternatively, the heating element can be accommodated inside the attachment 6, in particular at the expense of its compactness.

[0015] Preferably, the hair styling device 1 comprises manual control and / or adjustment means 10 by the user of the operation of the hair styling device 1 and in particular its fan module 5 and / or heating element, which are for example rocker switch, push button switch type and / or slide or knurled variator type adjustment means 10, as in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, directly actuated by the user to electrically start / stop the hair styling device 1 and to change the rotation speed of the ventilator of the fan module 5 and thus the speed / flow rate of the airflow blown by the attachment 6 and / or the heating temperature of the heating element. Such manual control / adjustment means 10, known per se, can be located for example in the handle 2 or in the fan module 5 when it is assembled at its first end 3, as in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4. The hair styling device 1 preferably constitutes a portable electric device and is preferably designed to be powered by the mains via a power cord 11. Alternatively, the hair styling device 1 may be powered by an internal energy source, such as for example a battery, which may then be housed within the handle 2 .

[0016] The attachment 6 of the hair styling device 1 according to the invention comprises a first air outlet 12 through which an air flow can be blown by the attachment 6 towards the user's hair, and a second air outlet 13. The first and second air outlets 12, 13 are different from each other and therefore do not coincide. The attachment 6 is rotatably and pivotally mounted with respect to the handle 2 to move between at least one first angular configuration (Figures 1 and 5 to 7) in which an air flow is blown by the attachment 6 via the first air outlet 12 (and preferably only via the first air outlet 12) and a second angular configuration (Figures 2 to 4 and 8 to 10) in which an air flow is blown by the attachment 6 via the second air outlet 13 (and preferably only via the second air outlet 13). In other words, the attachment 6 is attached to the handle 2 by a pivot connection so as to be rotatable relative to the handle 2, and the hair styling device 1 according to the present invention is designed and configured so that a user can alternately select one or the other of the first and second air outlets 12, 13 of the attachment 6 through which the air flow is blown by the attachment 6, by pivoting the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2.

[0017] Preferably, the attachment 6 is rotatably mounted relative to the handle 2 around a second axis B-B', which coincides with the first extension axis A-A' of the handle 2, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures. The second axis of rotation B-B' may however be parallel to the first axis A-A' and slightly offset therewith. The movement of the attachment 6 is thus simple and reliable, allowing intuitive operation of the hair styling device 1 by the user. Alternatively, it can be considered that the second axis B-B' divides the first axis A-A' by an angle, for example between 5 and 15°, or for example approximately equal to 90°. The transition from the first to the second angular configuration of the attachment 6 may preferably correspond to a rotation of the attachment 6 around the second axis of rotation B-B', by an angle equal to 90°, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures. However, this angle value is not limited in practice, and the transition of the attachment 6 from the first angular configuration to the second angular configuration may instead correspond to a rotation of the attachment 6 around the second rotation axis B-B' through an angle equal to 180°, for example.

[0018] According to a variant taken in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the attachment 6 is designed to remain permanently integrated with the handle 2 of the hair styling device 1 and is therefore not provided to be detached from the handle 2 of the hair styling device 1 by the user (in normal use). This allows the user to avoid losing the attachment of the hair styling device since it is already available and attached to the hair styling device. According to another variant, the attachment 6 is designed to be removably assembled to the handle 2 so that the user can detach the attachment 6 from the handle 2, for example to wash or replace the attachment 6.

[0019] In particular, when the blower module 5 is arranged inside the handle 2 or assembled to the handle 2 at its first end 3 as discussed above, the hair styling device 1 may further comprise an internal deflector 14, preferably fixedly and immovably connected to the handle 2 and designed and configured to guide the air flow generated by the blower module 5 through the attachment 6 from a guiding channel 8 provided in the handle 2 towards the first air outlet 12 when the attachment 6 assumes a first angular configuration, and conversely towards the second air outlet 13 when the attachment 6 assumes a second angular configuration.

[0020] Preferably, the first and second air outlets 12, 13 of the attachment 6 have openings of different shapes. In other words, the effective cross section of the air passage at the opening of the first air outlet 12 is defined by a contour (or contours) of different shapes, in the form of a contour (or contours) defining the effective cross section of the air passage at the opening of the second air outlet 13, respectively. The air flow blown by the attachment 6 thus preferably has a different distribution depending on the selected air outlet 12, 13.

[0021] It is conceivable, without departing from the framework of the invention, that the first and second air outlets 12, 13 are formed, one and / or the other, by accessory parts that are removably assembled (for example by ratcheting, screwing, press-fitting, etc.) to the remaining part of the attachment 6 rotatably mounted on the handle 2. This thus allows the user to equip the hair styling device 1 with two air outlets (instead of one, as in the case of conventional hair styling devices) that are different and of differently shaped cross-section, and thus to use one or the other of them one after the other, without intermediate operations of dismantling / reassembling the parts, while maintaining the ability to exchange one or the other of these accessory parts according to the specific use that the user wants to make of the hair styling device 1. It is preferred that the attachment 6 forms, on the contrary, a consistent assemblage in itself that is not intended to be dismantled by the user, the first and second air outlets 12, 13 being formed by one or more components that are not removable (in normal use) belonging to the attachment 6. In this way, via rotation of the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2 of the device 1, the user can select one or the other of the first air outlet 12 (first angle configuration) or the second air outlet 13 (second angle configuration) without having to install or dismantle any accessory elements of the hair styling device 1. The user thus benefits from an easy and fast use of the device 1 and is sure not to lose track of any of its elements.

[0022] Depending on the intended use of the hair styling device 1, at least one of the first and second angular configurations of the attachment 6 preferably corresponds to a unique predefined angular (or positional) orientation of the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2. In this way, when the attachment 6 is not oriented according to a unique predefined angular or positional orientation relative to the second axis of rotation BB', no air flow can preferably be blown by the attachment 6 via the associated first and second air outlets 12, 13. Such a feature proves to be interesting in particular in the case where the hair styling device 1 is designed to be used in a "hair dryer" mode, when the attachment 6 of the device 1 takes one and / or the other of the first and second angular configurations, and when an air flow is then desired to be blown by the attachment 6 along a unique predefined average direction.

[0023] Alternatively or supplementarily, still depending on the intended application of the hair styling device 1, it is also preferred that at least one of the first and second angular configurations of the attachment 6 allows an angular orientation of the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2 that is variable in a predefined angular range. In other words, the relevant first and / or second angular configurations correspond in this case to a plurality of angular (or positional) orientations that the attachment 6 can take relative to the handle 2 in a predefined, bounded angular range (e.g. 20° to 60°). In this way, when the attachment 6 takes such an angular configuration with a variable angular orientation, it is possible that the attachment 6 has a certain tolerance range of rotation around the second rotation axis BB′ and can thus pivot relative to the handle 2 in a predefined, bounded angular range while blowing an air flow out of the hair styling device 1. Such a feature has proven to be interesting, for example, when the hair styling device 1 is designed to be able to be used in a "hair dryer" mode, when the attachment 6 of the device 1 assumes one and / or the other of the first and second angle configurations, and when it is desired that the air flow can then be blown by the attachment 6 along a variable direction (e.g., so as to enable the user to clean the hair with the air flow blown by the attachment 6 without having to perform a wrist movement of the hand holding the handle 2 of the hair styling device 1).

[0024] More preferably, the device 1 comprises: - the second angular configuration (and / or the first angular configuration, respectively) allows a variable angular orientation of the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2 by a predetermined angular range, in accordance with the foregoing; and the corresponding second air outlet 13 (and / or the respective corresponding first air outlet 12) comprises at least one first and second air outlet portion 13A, 13B which are preferably distinct and non-adjacent; The present invention is more specifically designed and configured as follows.

[0025] The device 1 may be specifically configured such that, when the attachment 6 assumes the second angular configuration (and / or the first angular configuration, respectively), the attachment 6 is able to blow an air flow through one and / or the other of the first and second portions 13A, 13B of the second air outlet 13 (and / or the first air outlet 12, respectively). In other words, depending on the angular position of the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2 in a predetermined angular position, an air flow may be blown by the attachment 6 either through the first air outlet portion 13A, or through the second air outlet portion 13B, or simultaneously through the first and second air outlet portions 13A, 13B.

[0026] In the embodiment illustrated by way of example in the figures, the hair styling device 1 is preferably designed to move between a "hair dryer" mode (first angular configuration) and a "blow brush" mode (second angular configuration) depending on the angular configuration adopted by the attachment 6 rotatably mounted relative to the handle 2 of the device 1. The attachment 6 has a first face 15 which for that reason carries the first air outlet 12 of the attachment 6. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the first air outlet 12 preferably has an opening with an elongated, elongated overall shape (the air flow exits in the shape of a thin sheet of air). Alternatively, the first air outlet 12 may have an opening with, for example, a circular overall shape (the air flow exits in the shape of an approximately cylindrical or frustoconical shape). In this way, when the attachment 6 assumes a first angular configuration relative to the handle 2, the hair styling device 1 can preferably be used to dry the hair. Preferably, the first angular configuration corresponds to a unique predetermined angular orientation of the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2, as previously discussed. Thus, in the "hair dryer" mode, the attachment 6 preferably blows an air flow through the first air outlet 12 with only one predefined average direction, according to the description given above.

[0027] In the embodiment illustrated by way of example in the figures, the attachment 6 also has a second surface 16 carrying the second air outlet 13 of the attachment 6. Preferably, the first and second surfaces 15, 16 are positioned opposite each other, for example on either side of the second axis of rotation B-B' of the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2. The attachment 6 is provided on the second surface 16 with a hair mechanical engagement element 17, preferably formed from a row of bristles (or pins) or rod-like members 17A, 17B, 17C. As illustrated in particular in Figures 3, 5 and 8, the second air outlet 13 of the attachment 6 comprises first and second air outlet portions 13A, 13B, which are preferably distinct and non-adjacent, as previously discussed. In this embodiment, the first and second air outlet portions 13A, 13B form a longitudinal slit and are preferably positioned on either side of the hair mechanical engagement element 17. However, the first and second air outlet portions 13A, 13B may quite naturally be of different shapes and positioning. Different from the first angular configuration, the second angular configuration of the attachment 6 of the hair styling device 1 illustrated in the figures allows a variable angular orientation of the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2 according to a predefined angular range. Furthermore, the hair styling device 1 is configured such that when the attachment 6 assumes the second angular configuration, the attachment 6 is blown with an air flow by one and / or the other of the first and second portions 13A, 13B of the second air outlet 13. In this way, when a user uses the hair styling device 1 according to the "blow brush" mode, i.e. when the attachment 6 assumes the second angular configuration relative to the handle 2, the interaction between the user's hair and the hair mechanical engagement element 17 of the attachment 6 may lead to a pivoting of the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2 along the second axis B-B'. This will preferably have the effect of selectively blowing an air stream by one or the other of the first and second parts 13A, 13B of the second air outlet 13 depending on the direction of brushing of the hair and therefore depending on the pivoting direction of the attachment 6 about the second axis B-B'. As a result, the air stream can preferably always be blown as close as possible to the user's hair and in an optimal direction depending on the direction of movement of the device 1.In this case, the air flow is thus always blown in a direction from the root to the tip, which direction is particularly interesting for some hair tying or for detangling tasks.

[0028] Preferably, the hair styling device 1 is further designed such that, in the absence of interaction between the user's hair and the hair mechanical engagement elements 17 of the attachment 6, the attachment 6 automatically returns to a known angular position, called rest, e.g. approximately central within a predefined angular range. For this purpose, return means, such as, e.g., a spring or a magnet, may optionally be provided between the handle 2 and the attachment 6, as discussed below.

[0029] Considering the above, the hair styling device 1 according to the invention therefore preferably enables a user to select between at least one first use mode of the hair styling device 1 (e.g. a first angular configuration for performing hair drying) and a second use mode (e.g. a second angular configuration for performing hair brushing) by a simple rotation of the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2. Preferably, the transition of the attachment 6 from one angular configuration to another is performed by the user, who holds the handle 2 of the hair styling device 1 with one hand and grips the attachment 6 with the other hand in order to transmit a rotational movement about its rotation axis BB' to the handle 2.

[0030] Preferably, the attachment 6 comprises a hollow outer envelope (or housing) 18 whose outer surface primarily defines the outer shape and contour of the attachment 6, as well as the outer shape and contour of the distal portion of the hair styling device 1, which is preferably connected to the handle 2 of the hair styling device 1 so as to preferably extend the handle 2. Preferably, the outer envelope 18 is adapted to allow for manual gripping by a user, such that the user can directly manually transmit to the outer envelope 18 (and thus to the attachment 6) a pivotal movement about the second rotation axis BB' of the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2, to position the attachment 6 in one or the other of the first and second angular configurations, as discussed above, and thus to select one or the other of the first, 12 and second, 13 air outlets of the attachment 6 through which the air flow is blown out of the attachment 6.

[0031] In the embodiment illustrated by way of example in the figures, the hair styling device 1 comprises an internal deflector 14, which, as discussed above, extends the airflow guide channel 8 provided inside the handle 2 in the axial direction beyond the second end 4 of the handle 2 (FIGS. 5 to 10). In this embodiment, the external envelope 18 of the attachment 6 is formed primarily from two half shells 18A, 18B that are fixed to one another (for example by a screw or ratchet mechanism) and at least partially define the first and second faces 15, 16 of the attachment 6, respectively. To allow a rotatable assembly of the attachment 6 to the handle 2 with a second axis of rotation B-B' of the attachment 6, which preferably coincides with the first longitudinal extension axis A-A' of the handle 2, the internal deflector 14 comprises, adjacent to the second end 4 of the handle 2, an annular peripheral lip 19 that preferably extends in a plane perpendicular to the first axis A-A' of the handle 2. Each of the half shells 18A, 18B of the outer envelope 18 of the attachment 6 is provided on its inner surface with a complementary cut-out portion 20A, 20B of the annular peripheral lip 19 so as to capture the annular peripheral lip 19 and thus ensure rotatable assembly of the attachment 6 when the half shells 18A, 18B are fixed to one another (Figures 6 and 9).

[0032] According to the present invention, the hair styling device 1 further comprises a locking means for the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2 in at least one of the first and second angular configurations to prevent the attachment 6 from moving away from the first or second angular configuration. The hair styling device 1 according to the present invention also comprises a slider 36 for allowing a user of the hair styling device 1 to control the locking and / or unlocking of the attachment 6 by the locking means.

[0033] The locking means is thus - a locked configuration in which the locking means mechanically inhibits any possibility of rotating the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2 along the second axis of rotation B-B', away from one and / or the other of the angular configurations in which it is locked; - an unlocked configuration in which the locking means conversely permits rotation of the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2 along the second axis of rotation B-B', so that it is mechanically possible to move the attachment 6 away from one and / or the other of its current angular configurations and preferably into the other of its possible alternative angular configurations. The actuator is preferably designed to move reversibly between

[0034] The transition from the locked to the unlocked configuration and vice versa requires a positive action from the user's side on, i.e. against, the control member 21 for locking / unlocking the attachment 6. That is to say, once locked in one and / or the other first and second angular configurations relative to the handle 2, the attachment 6 cannot be moved away from the locked angular configuration without a prior positive action from the user's side on the control member 21 commanding the unlocking of the locking means. In particular, any manual rotation of the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2 is made impossible when the attachment 6 is in one and / or the other of the first and second angular configurations and the locking means is in the locked configuration. This guarantees the user comfort and safety of use in so far as it is ensured that the attachment 6 does not leave its position unexpectedly. This finds its benefits in particular when the attachment 6 comprises a hair engagement element 17, as described above.

[0035] In the sense of the present invention, the control member 21 is functionally independent from the handle 2 and the attachment 6. In other words, the control member 21 may be carried and incorporated by the handle 2 and / or the attachment 6, as will be described in more detail below, but the handle 2 and the attachment 6 do not constitute the control member 21 as such. In particular, the unlocking of the attachment 6 cannot be controlled by the user, exerting only stress overall on the handle 2 and / or the attachment 6. On the contrary, a voluntary action on the part of the user on the control member 21 is necessary to enable the unlocking of the attachment 6.

[0036] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the locking means comprises: - on the one hand, in the first angular configuration, the device 1 can be preferably used in a "hair dryer" mode to prevent the accessory 6 from moving away from the first angular configuration when the accessory is in the first angular configuration; On the other hand, when the attachment 6 is in the second angular configuration, the device 1 can be preferably used in a "spray brush" mode to prevent the attachment 6 from moving away from the second angular configuration. It is preferably designed to alternately lock the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2 .

[0037] The possibility thus given by the device 1 to lock the angular configuration of the accessory in the "hair dryer" mode (first angular configuration) makes it possible in particular to avoid that the accessory 6 starts to rotate by inertia and unexpectedly leaves its first angular configuration "hair dryer" when a user performs an alternating rotational movement of the wrist of the hand holding the handle 2 of the device 1 to dry his hair with the device 1. The possibility given by the device 1 to lock the angular configuration of the accessory instead in the "blow brush" mode (second angular configuration) makes it possible in particular to avoid that, when a user brushes his hair with the device 1, an interaction between the user's hair and the hair mechanical engagement element 17 of the accessory 6 causes sufficient stresses to pivot the accessory 6 about the second axis B-B' and thus leave its second angular configuration "blow brush".

[0038] Although the locking means are preferably designed to allow locking of the attachment 6 in each of the different angular configurations that the attachment 6 can assume relative to the handle 2, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, it is also conceivable to provide such a lock only for one of the first and second angular configurations depending on the intended use of the device 1. However, the hair styling device 1 may optionally include a limiting means of rotation of the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2 - when the attachment assumes one of the angular configurations that cannot be locked - in order to limit, without completely prohibiting, the ability of the attachment 6 to move away from the "unlockable" angular configuration that the attachment 6 assumes. The limiting means may be formed, for example, from a pair of magnets, a ledge, or the like. Advantageously, the limiting means may additionally act as an indexing means, enabling the user to know that the attachment 6 is indeed in the relevant "unlockable" angular configuration. However, it will still remain possible to exert a sufficient torque against the attachment 6 and the handle 2 to move the attachment 6 away from the "unlockable" angular configuration.

[0039] The use of such a locking means of the angular configuration assumed by the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2 thus avoids some actual discomfort in use for the user and contributes to a high reliability of use of the hair styling device 1. Moreover, the locking means contributes to ensuring a particularly safe working of the hair styling device 1, insofar as it makes it possible in particular to avoid an unexpected emission of a hot air stream in an unexpected direction and, for example, towards the user's eyes, due to an unwanted rotation of the attachment 6, which would suddenly change the angular configuration. The locking means likewise limits the risk of overheating and damage to the device 1, which may possibly occur suddenly due to an unwanted rotation of the attachment 6, which would bring the attachment 6 into an angular position outside the first and second angular configurations and have the effect of restricting too strongly, or even completely prohibiting, the emission of the air stream generated by the blower module 5 out of the hair styling device 1.

[0040] In this way, the hair styling device 1 according to the invention is preferably arranged so that it can be used in a number of different use modes (a multifunctional device) and since it is sufficient for the user to modify the configuration / orientation of the accessories relative to the handle in order to move from one use mode to another, it is not only a particularly simple and practical to use, but also a particularly reliable and safe portable hair styling device, insofar as the hair styling device 1 cannot be moved unwillingly by the user away from the angular configuration it assumes during operation.

[0041] Preferably, the unlocked configuration of the locking means is an unstable configuration, so that the locking means, when in the unlocked configuration, tends to naturally return on itself towards its locked configuration. The safety of the hair styling device 1 is thereby increased, since, in the absence of a positive action of the user on the control member 21 of the locking means, the locking means will naturally tend to re-assume its locked configuration and thus block the attachment 6 (as long as the attachment 6 assumes one or the other of the first and second angular configurations in which it may then be locked). The locked configuration of the locking means is thus preferably a rest configuration which the locking means may naturally assume in the absence of an external force of the control member 21 by the user.

[0042] Preferably, the locking means of the attachment 6 to the handle 2 comprises at least one tongue 22 and at least one corresponding receiving part 23, 24 for receiving the tongue 22 therein when the locking means is in the locked configuration, the cooperation of the tongue 22 and the receiving part 23, 24 mechanically preventing the attachment 6 from moving away from the first or second angular configuration it then assumes. In the unlocked configuration of the locking means, the tongue 22 is no longer capable of cooperating with the corresponding receiving part 23, 24, so that the attachment 6 is moved away from the first or second angular configuration it assumes when there is no longer any impediment to the rotation of the attachment 6. Such a configuration of the locking means has the advantage that it is particularly easy to utilize in reduced overall dimensions. Preferably, the receiving part 23, 24 is integral with the attachment 6 and the tongue 22 is integral with the handle 2, in particular to simplify the design of the attachment 6. Quite naturally, the invention is however not limited to such a particular design of the locking means, and the locking means may have any suitable alternative design (e.g. a jaw type which clamps a face of the attachment 6 against a corresponding one or other face of the handle 2).

[0043] Thus, although the tongue 22 is arranged to be received in a corresponding receiving portion 23, 24 in the locked configuration of the locking means, the shape of the tongue 22 is not particularly limited as such. For example, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the tongue 22 may advantageously take the form of a rigid rod (or "retaining pin") of circular cross section extending along a longitudinal axis along which the rod is arranged to translate, i.e. slidably move, between at least one position in which at least a part of the rod is positioned inside the receiving portion 23, 24 (locked configuration of the locking means) and, conversely, a position in which the rod is positioned completely outside the receiving portion 23, 24 (unlocked configuration of the locking means).

[0044] If at least one of the first and second angular configurations of the attachment 6 corresponds to a unique predetermined angular orientation of the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2 in which it is desired to be able to lock the attachment 6, then the receiving part 23 is preferably adapted to receive the tongue 22 closely therein. In the locked configuration of the locking means, the tongue 22 is then captured inside the receiving part 23 without significant play in the direction of rotation of the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2. If the periphery of the receiving part 23 is not necessarily closed, the receiving part 23 nevertheless has at least a part of its periphery which forms a stop for the tongue 22 in each of the two orientations of the direction of rotation of the attachment 6. Quite naturally, it can be considered that the locking means comprises several pairs of tongues and corresponding receiving parts. In this case, the locking means is preferably configured such that the tongues and receiving parts of each pair cooperate simultaneously with the tongues and receiving parts of the other pair. Moreover, if each of the first and second angular configurations of the attachment 6 corresponds to a unique predetermined angular orientation of the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2 in which it is desired that the attachment 6 can be locked, the locking means may preferably comprise at least one tongue 22 and two corresponding different receiving portions 23. Each of these receiving portions 23 is adapted to alternately closely receive therein the tongue 22 depending on whether the attachment 6 is in the first or second angular configuration in which the attachment 6 is to be locked, in accordance with the foregoing.

[0045] In case at least one of the first and second angular configurations of the attachment 6 allows an angular orientation of the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2, which is desired to be variable in a predetermined angular range and to be able to lock the attachment 6, the receiving portion 24 preferably forms an angular groove 24, i.e. an arc-shaped opening (or hole) as seen in FIG. 8. The length of the angular groove 24 defines a predetermined angular range and the angular groove 24 is adapted to receive the tongue 22 therein between the opposite ends 25, 26 of the angular groove 24 forming a stop. Once the tongue 22 is received in the angular groove 24 in the locked configuration of the locking means, the relative movement of the tongue 22 and the angular groove 24 (and therefore the pivoting of the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2) is thus limited by the opposite ends 25, 26 of the angular groove 24. According to a variant, the tongue 22 is arranged to abut directly against the ends 25, 26 of the angular groove 24. According to another variant, which will be described in more detail below in relation to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the tongue 22 is arranged to be received in an intermediate member 27 movably mounted inside the angular groove 24 - in the locking configuration of the locking means. The tongue 22 can then indirectly abut against the ends 25, 26 of the angular groove 24 via the respective opposite ends 28, 29 of the movable intermediate member 27. Given that the device 1 is designed to allow an angular orientation of the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2, in which each of the first and second angular configurations of the attachment 6 is variable in a predefined angular range (not necessarily of the same extent for each of the angular configurations) and in which it is desired to be able to lock the attachment 6, the locking means may preferably comprise at least one tongue 22 and two corresponding different angular grooves 24. Each of these angular grooves 24 is adapted to alternately receive therein the tongue 22 depending on whether the attachment 6 is in the first or second angular configuration in which it must be locked, according to the above.

[0046] According to the variant taken in the embodiment illustrated by way of example in the figures, the locking means is preferably designed to ensure (alternately) the locking of the accessory 6 to the handle 2 in a first angular configuration when the accessory 6 is in the first angular configuration and in a second angular configuration when the accessory 6 is in the second angular configuration, respectively. The locking means, according to this variant, comprises a unique tongue 22, a first receiving part 23 for receiving the tongue 22 therein to lock the accessory in the first angular configuration, and a second receiving part 24 (different from the first receiving part 23) for receiving the tongue 22 therein to lock the accessory 6 in the second angular configuration, respectively. Such a variant allows a particularly simple design of the locking means of the hair styling device 1, since the same tongue 22 allows for alternately locking the accessory 6 in each of the first and second angular configurations. In the embodiment illustrated by way of example in the figures, the unique tongue 22 of the locking means is formed from a rigid rod 22 (or "retaining pin") of circular cross section, as mentioned before. The rod preferably extends along a longitudinal axis along which the rod is provided to translate, slidingly move when the locking means transitions from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration and vice versa. The longitudinal extension axis of the rod 22 is preferably oriented substantially parallel to the second axis of rotation B-B' of the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2. The second axis of rotation BB in this embodiment coincides with or is at least parallel to the first longitudinal extension axis A-A' of the handle 2, and thus the longitudinal extension axis of the rod 22 is also preferably substantially parallel to the first axis A-A' (Figures 6, 7, 9 and 10).

[0047] More specifically, in the embodiment illustrated by way of example in the figures, the first angular configuration ("hair dryer" mode) preferably corresponds to a unique predetermined angular orientation of the accessory 6 relative to the handle 2, while the second angular configuration ("blow brush" mode) allows an angular orientation of the accessory 6 relative to the handle 2 that is preferably variable in a predetermined angular range. The first receiving portion 23 of the locking means is preferably adapted to closely receive within itself a unique tongue 22 in order to lock the accessory 6 in the first angular configuration (Figures 5 to 7). In this case, the first receiving portion 23 is formed from a first cylindrical perforation 23 of circular cross section, preferably provided in the half shell 18 of the outer envelope 18 carrying the second face 16 (Figures 5 and 8). Preferably, in order to limit the risk of shearing of the tongue 22 under the effect of the stresses of a forced rotation of the attachment 6 along the second axis BB', the first cylindrical bore 23 forming the first receiving portion 23 is through and the tongue 22 is dimensioned such that a portion of the distal end 30 of the tongue 22 extends beyond the first receiving portion 23 when the tongue 22 is closely received therein in the locked configuration of the locking means. The annular peripheral lip 19 of the internal deflector 14 is preferably provided with a first orifice 31 provided in the underside of the opposing annular peripheral lip 19 of the through first receiving portion 23, arranged to closely receive therein a portion of the distal end 30 of the tongue 22 in the locked configuration of the locking means, as partially illustrated in Figures 6 and 7.

[0048] The second receiving portion 24 of the locking means preferably forms an angular groove 24 (or an arc-shaped hole) whose length defines a predetermined angular range and which is adapted to receive therein a unique tongue 22 between the opposite ends 25, 26 of the angular groove 24 forming a stopper according to the description given above. As already mentioned above, the tongue 22 is not provided in the embodiment illustrated in the figures for directly abutting the ends 25, 26 of the angular groove 24 so as to prevent the attachment 6 from moving away from the second angular configuration when the locking means is in the locked configuration. That is to say, as can be seen in particular in figures 5 and 8, the attachment 6 comprises an intermediate member 27 movably mounted inside the angular groove 24. The intermediate members 27 bear at one end against the face of the half-shell 18A of the outer envelope 18 carrying the first face 15 of the attachment 6 and at the other end are mechanically connected to the attachment 6 via two tension springs 32, 33 which are connected to the intermediate members 27. The springs 32, 33 act against one another so that the intermediate member 27 can thus oscillate inside the angular groove 24 between a first end position (not shown) in which the end 28 of the intermediate member abuts one of the ends 25 of the angular groove 24 and a second end position (not shown) in which the opposite end 29 of the intermediate member 27 abuts the other of the ends 26 of the angular groove 24. The intermediate member 24 preferably comprises a second bore 34, equidistant from its ends 28, 29, adapted internally to closely receive the tongue 22, in order to lock the attachment 6 in the second angular configuration (Figures 8 and 10), while leaving the attachment 6 a certain rotational tolerance along the second axis of rotation B-B'. The springs 32, 33 are in this case preferably balanced to automatically return the intermediate member 27 to a central position inside the angular groove 24 (Figures 5 and 8). The springs 32, 33 thus preferably make it possible to define a known angular position, called rest as described above, to which the attachment 6 can automatically return when in the second angular configuration.Preferably, in order to limit the risk of shearing of the tongue 22 under the effect of the stresses of a forced rotation of the attachment 6 along the second axis BB', the second cylindrical bore 34 of the intermediate member 27 is through and the tongue 22 is dimensioned such that a portion of the distal end 30 of the tongue 22 extends beyond the second bore 24 when the tongue 22 is closely received therein in the locked configuration of the locking means. The annular peripheral lip 19 of the internal deflector 14 preferably comprises a second orifice 35 arranged to closely receive therein the portion of the distal end 30 of the tongue 22 in the locked configuration of the locking means and arranged in an underside of the annular peripheral lip 19 opposite the angular groove 24, as illustrated in Figures 9 and 10.

[0049] Optionally, according to a variant not illustrated in the figures, the groove 24 forming the second receiving portion 24 may be provided with a third orifice, preferably positioned equidistant from the ends 25, 26 of the groove 24, into which the distal end 30 of the tongue 22 may be closely received when the accessory 6 is locked in the second angular configuration. As a result, the accessory 6 may be preferably locked in the rest central angular position already mentioned above by cooperation of the tongue 22 with the third orifice provided in the groove 24 (and with its second perforation 34 when the intermediate member 24 is used). If the user wishes, it will thus be preferably possible to prevent the accessory 6 from pivoting within a predetermined angular range when the accessory 6 is locked in the second angular configuration.

[0050] According to a preferred variant taken in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the control member 21 of the locking means is a manual mechanical control member 21 connected (directly or not) to the tongue 22 in order that the user can ensure the locking and / or unlocking of the attachment 6 by the locking means by a direct manual action on the control member 21. The manual mechanical control member 21 is thus preferably mounted movably under the influence of the control member 21 between a locked position in which the locking means assumes at least a locked configuration and an unlocked position in which the locking means assumes an unlocked configuration. Such a variant has the advantage of a relatively simple, inexpensive and reliable implementation. Alternatively, it may be an automatic control member, which the user acts indirectly to control the locking and / or unlocking of the attachment 6 by the locking means. Such an automatic control member may then for example comprise an electromechanical relay connected on the one hand to the locking means and on the other hand to the means 10 for manual checking and / or adjustment by the user of the functioning of the hair styling device 1. In this way, when a user starts the hair styling device 1 by acting on the checking and / or adjusting means 10, the automatic control member can automatically control the locking of the locking means, for example, in the angular configuration assumed by the attachment 6. A change in the angular configuration of the attachment 6 may require the user to stop operation of the hair styling device 1 by acting again on the checking and / or adjusting means 10, so as to control the automatic unlocking of the attachment 6 in that case.

[0051] The following description is more particularly directed to the preferred variant mentioned above, in which the control member 21 of the locking means is a manual mechanical control member 21.

[0052] Preferably, the manual mechanical control member 21 of the locking means is movably attached to the handle 2 and not to the attachment 6. As a result, the user can preferably handle the manual mechanical slider 36 with the fingers of the hand holding the handle 2 of the device 1, which contributes to endowing the hair styling device 1 with particularly ergonomic properties. More preferably, the manual mechanical control member 21 is attached at or from the end of the handle 2 from which the attachment 6 is connected to the handle 2 and more preferably from which the attachment 6 extends, in this case at or from the second end 4 of the handle 2 in the embodiment illustrated in the figures. Such a positioning of the manual mechanical control member 21 as close as possible to the interface between the rotating attachment 6 and the handle 2 thus allows in particular a simpler, more reliable and less space-consuming design of the mechanical connection between the manual mechanical control member 21 and the locking means, in particular avoiding the need to resort to complex connection means. Various movements of the manual mechanical control member 21 can be considered. In a particularly simple variant taken in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the manual mechanical control member 21 is preferably mounted for linear translation, preferably along the first longitudinal extension axis A-A' of the handle 2. The manual mechanical control member 21 is preferably formed from a slider 36 slidably mounted on a slide 37 provided in the handle 2. According to another variant (not shown), the manual mechanical control member 21 may preferably be mounted for rotation around the first longitudinal extension axis A-A' of the handle 2. According to yet another variant (not shown), the manual mechanical control member 21 may preferably be mounted for translation and rotation along and around the first axis A-A', i.e. by a helical connection. In these two variants, the manual mechanical control member 21 may be formed from an annular ring rotatably or translatively-rotatably mounted inside a corresponding annular groove or notch provided in the handle 2. According to yet another less preferred variant (not shown), the manual mechanical control member 21 may be mounted for translational movement along a direction dividing (and e.g. perpendicular to) the first longitudinal extension axis A-A' of the handle 2.In this case, the manual mechanical control member 21 may be formed from a push button.

[0053] According to a variant (not shown), the manual mechanical control member 21 and the (single or not) tongue 22 form an integral single part, which makes it possible in particular to simplify the design of the hair styling device and to facilitate its assembly. According to another variant taken in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the manual mechanical control member 21 and the (single or not) tongue 22 can form different parts, possibly made of two different materials. The tongue 22 and the control member 21 are then mechanically connected to each other directly or not. For example, the tongue 22 can be assembled to the manual mechanical control member 21, for example by screwing, gluing, drive-in or overmolding. For example, the manual mechanical control member 21 can be made of a plastic material, in particular to control the total weight of the device, while the tongue 22 can be made of metal, in order to provide good mechanical resistance, in particular shear resistance.

[0054] Preferably, the hair styling device 1 comprises return means designed to automatically return the manual mechanical control member 21 to the locked position of the locking means when the manual mechanical control member 21 assumes the unlocked position of the locking means (and when the user ceases any direct action on the manual mechanical control member 21), thus ensuring the preferably unstable nature discussed above of the unlocked configuration of the locking means. Preferably, the return means is an elastic return means comprising at least one spring arranged to act in tension or compression in order to elastically return the manual mechanical control member 21 to the locked position when it assumes the unlocked position. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the return means is such an elastic return means, in this case comprising a pair of tension springs 38, 39 preferably arranged between a face of the handle 2 and a respective face of the manual mechanical control member 21, as can be seen from the transparency of the manual mechanical control member 21 in Figures 7 and 10. Quite naturally, other return means, whether elastic (such as a spring blade) or non-elastic (such as a pair of magnets), may alternatively be utilized to ensure such automatic return function of the manual mechanical control member 21 in the locked position of the locking means.

[0055] Advantageously, the unstable nature of the unlocked configuration of the locking means may enable the locking means to act as an automatic indexing means for the attachment 6 in the first and / or second angular configuration in which the attachment 6 can be locked by the locking means as well, i.e. when the user rotates the attachment 6 relative to the handle 2 in order to position the attachment 6 in a lockable angular configuration, the locking means automatically transitions to the locked configuration, so that the user knows (either by hearing a noise made by the locking means, such as for example the noise of the engagement of the tongues 22 into the corresponding receiving portions 23, 24, or by the simple fact that the rotational stress of the attachment 6 exerted by the user is abruptly arrested) that the degree of rotation required to actually position the attachment 6 in the desired angular configuration has been reached.

[0056] The device 1 may furthermore preferably comprise a visual and / or tactile indicator 40 for informing the user of the rotational direction according to which it is desired to pivot the accessory 6 relative to the handle 2 in order to position the accessory 6 in one or the other of the first and second angular configurations. Such an indicator means 40 may for example comprise a pair of opposing arrows 41 engraved, painted or otherwise realised at the interface between the handle 2 and the accessory 6, as illustrated in particular in the embodiment in FIG. 3. The visual and / or tactile indicator 40 may alternatively or additionally be provided to inform the user of the angular position of the accessory 6 relative to the handle 2 which corresponds exactly to the attainment of one or the other of the first and second angular configurations. As illustrated in particular in the embodiment in FIG. 3, the indicator 40 may thus comprise for example a first marker 42 protruding from (or engraved, painted or otherwise realised on) the outer surface of the slider 35 of the control member 21. The indicia 40 may similarly include second and third markers 43, 44 protruding from (or engraved, painted or otherwise realized on) the outer surface of the envelope 18 of the accessory 21 that correspond with the receptacles 23, 24 or second perforations 34 into which the tongues 22 of the locking means are received to ensure locking of the accessory 6. The second and third markers 43, 44 are preferably positioned to visually correspond with the first marker 42 when the accessory 6 is in the first and second angular configurations, respectively (FIG. 3).

[0057] As described above in detail, the operation and use of the hair styling device 1 according to the invention is, for example, as follows: the attachment 6 of the device 1 for example initially assumes its first angular configuration relative to the handle 2 (for example corresponding to a "hair dryer" mode of use), in which the attachment 6 is preferably locked by the locking means of the device 1. The user grips the handle 2 of the device 1 with one hand while preparing to position the device 1 such that the first air outlet 12 of the attachment 6 is then oriented towards the wet hair. The user then activates the manual inspection and / or adjustment means 10 of the operation of the device 1, so that a preferably warm forced air flow is blown towards the hair via the first air outlet 12 of the attachment 6. Then, after using the device 1 in this way for a desired time, for example until a certain level of drying or pre-drying of the hair has been reached, the user acts on the control member 21 of the locking means of the attachment 6 in order to command the unlocking of the attachment 6 by the locking means. For example, the user slides the slider 36 in the slide 37 of the manual mechanical control member 21 with the fingers (e.g. thumb) of the hand holding the handle 2 in order to guide the slider 36 from its locked position (high position in the figure) towards the unlocked position (low position). While the attachment 6 is thus kept unlocked, the user manually transmits to the attachment 6 a rotational movement relative to the handle 2 about the second rotation axis BB', while holding the handle 2 with one hand and the attachment 6 with the other hand, until the attachment 6 is positioned in its second angular configuration (corresponding for example to the "spray brush" mode of use). The user can then cease any action against the control member 21. Due to the preferably unstable nature of the unlocked configuration of the locking means, the locking means automatically transitions to the locked configuration and thus locks the attachment 6 in the second angular configuration. The user can then preferably use the device 1 for example for brushing and gathering hair with the hair engagement element 17.

Claims

1. A portable hair styling device (1) comprising a handle (2) for manual gripping, an integrated blower module (5) for generating an air flow, and an attachment (6) coupled to said handle (2), said attachment (6) defining a first air outlet (12) and a second air outlet (13) distinct from each other, said attachment (6) having at least one first angular configuration in which said air flow is directed by said attachment (6) through said first air outlet (12) and a second angular configuration in which said air flow is directed by said attachment (6) through said second air outlet (13). a locking means for locking the accessory (6) relative to the handle (2) in at least one of the first and second angular configurations to prevent the accessory (6) from moving away from the first or second angular configuration in which the accessory (6) is placed, and a control member (21) for enabling a user of the device (1) to control the locking and / or unlocking of the accessory (6) by means of the locking means.

2. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the locking means is designed to move between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration.

3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second angular configurations of the accessory (6) corresponds to a unique predetermined angular orientation of the accessory (6) relative to the handle (2).

4. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the first and second angular configurations of the accessory (6) enables an angular orientation of the accessory (6) relative to the handle (2) that is variable within a predetermined angular range.

5. 5. The device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the second air outlet (13) comprises at least one first air outlet portion and one second air outlet portion (13A, 13B) which are separate and non-adjacent, and the device (1) is configured such that the accessory (6) can blow an air flow through one and / or the other of the first air outlet portion and the second air outlet portion (13A, 13B) when the accessory (6) assumes the second angular configuration which enables a variable angular orientation of the accessory (6) relative to the handle (2) according to the predetermined angular range.

6. 6. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking means comprises at least one tongue (22) and a corresponding receiving portion (23, 24) for receiving said tongue (22) therein. At least one of the first and second angular configurations of the accessory (6) corresponds to a unique predetermined angular orientation of the accessory (6) relative to the handle (2); 7. The device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the receiving portion (23) is adapted to closely receive the tongue therein.

8. The locking means includes at least one tongue portion (22) and a corresponding receiving portion (23, 24) for receiving the tongue portion (22) therein; 6. The device (1) according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the receiving portion (24) forms an angular groove (24), the length of which defines the predetermined angular range, the angular groove (24) adapted to receive the tongue (22) therein between opposite ends (25, 26) of the angular groove (24) which form a stop.

9. The device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the receiving portions (23, 24) are integral with the accessory (6) and the tongue (22) is integral with the handle (2).

10. 10. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the locking means is designed to ensure locking of the accessory (6) to the handle (2) in the first angular configuration when the accessory (6) is in the first angular configuration and respectively in the second angular configuration when the accessory (6) is in the second angular configuration, the locking means comprising a unique tongue (22), a first receiving portion (23) in which the tongue (22) is received to lock the accessory in the first angular configuration and a second receiving portion (24) in which the tongue (22) is received to lock the accessory in the second angular configuration.

11. The device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the control member (21) is a manual mechanical control member coupled to the tongue (22) for enabling a user to ensure the locking and / or unlocking of the accessory (6) by the locking means by a direct manual action on the control member (21).

12. 12. The device (1) according to claim 11, wherein the manual mechanical control member (21) is movably mounted relative to the handle (2).

13. The device (1) according to claim 12, wherein the manual mechanical control member (21) is mounted for linear translation along a longitudinal extension axis (A-A') of the handle (2) and / or for rotation about said longitudinal extension axis (A-A').

14. The device (1) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the manual mechanical control member (21) is attached at the end (4) of the handle (2) at which the accessory (6) is connected to the handle (2).

15. 15. The device (1) according to claim 2 and any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the manual mechanical control member (21) is mounted movably between a locked position, in which the locking means assumes the locked configuration, and an unlocked position, in which the locking means assumes the unlocked configuration, the device (1) including return means designed to automatically recall the manual mechanical control member (21) to the locked position when the device (1) assumes the unlocked position.

16. 16. Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second air outlets (12, 13) of the accessory (6) have openings of different shapes.

Images