To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Louis Auguste Allard, a citizen of France, residing at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mustache-Trainers; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a mustache cultivator or trainer; and it has for its object to provide a simple and effective means adjustably applied on the face of the wearer for training or cultivating the mustache, so that it may grow in the desired form and position.

The invention will be fully understood from the following description and claims, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which—

Figure 1 is a representation of a man's face bearing a mustache with my improved device applied thereto; and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the said device, showing the same in an inverted position.

In carrying out my invention I take a strip, A, of suitable flexible material, being preferably spring metal, and bow the same in a manner substantially as shown, so that it may give to the shape of the face and snugly embrace the same above the mouth or over the mustache. This strip is of a suitable length and width for the purpose designed, and is provided at opposite ends with loops B. These loops may be held to the main band or strip A by frictional contact or otherwise, so that they may be slid with relation to each other and rendered longitudinally adjustable; but I do not wish to confine myself to the features of construction shown, as it is obvious that various means might be employed at the ends of the strip to receive a string or the like, whereby the same may be secured in position.

While the loops B may be in some cases dispensed with and holes simply punched in the ends of the strip A to receive a fastening-cord, yet I prefer to employ the loops, as by having the broad bearing portions a at their ends they ease the trainer upon the wearer.

C indicates pivoted hooks or levers, there being four employed on each side of the strip A—that is to say, at each side of the point from which the nose of the wearer comes when the device is in use. These hook-levers C may be of different lengths, and their hook portions are designed to straddle the upper edge of the strip when in an operative position with the mustache interposed between the hooks and the strip. These hooks are designed to swing upon their pivots both forwardly and backwardly, for a purpose which will be presently explained.

D D indicate two depending flanges which are secured to the strip A, as shown, at equal points from its longitudinal center, and at a position to lie at the rear of the mouth. These flanges have their lower edges tapering forwardly and upwardly, as shown, and have pivoted to them hooks or levers E, there being two preferably employed on each plate or flange. These hooks or levers E are designed to move loosely on their pivots and straddle the lower edges of the depending flanges or plates D in a manner similar to the hooks or levers C, straddling the upper edge of the strip or band A.

In operation the pivoted hook-levers are all thrown forwardly or toward the longitudinal center of the strips A, after which the person to use the device simply grasps the opposite ends thereof, so as to slightly open it out. He then passes the device upwardly on the face, lifting the mustache in its movement until the strip has been carried a sufficient distance upon the upper lip, the ends of the strip in the meantime being allowed to press upon the jaws adjacent to the ears. The upper set of hook-levers, C, are thence turned rearwardly, so as to collect the hair of the mustache and bear it down and back upon the band or strip. The lower set of hooks, E, pivoted to the depending flanges or plates D, ave thence turned upwardly and rearwardly to catch any hairs which may hang around the corners of the mouth. The device may be secured in position by a cord or the like extending from the opposite ends of the strip A or its end loops.

Having described my invention, what I claim is—

1. A mustache trainer or cultivator consisting of a yielding strip adapted to be applied over a mustache upon the face, hooks pivoted to the said strip and adapted to straddle the upper edge thereof, depending plates or flanges, and pivoted hooks adapted to straddle the lower edges of the said plates, substantially as specified.

2. A mustache trainer or cultivator consisting of a yielding bowed strip, and hooks pivoted thereto and adapted to straddle the upper edge of the said strip, substantially as specified.

3. In a mustache trainer or cultivator, the combination, with the main flexible or yielding strip having pivoted hooks, of the loops, such as B, on the end of the said strip, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

Louis Auguste Allard.

Witnesses:

Alexandre Dupuy,

C. D. Greene, Jr.