To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Thomas Ferry, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wilmington, in the county of Newcastle and State of Delaware, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mustache-Guards; 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.

The invention relates to mustache-guards designed to hold the mustache away from the lips and to prevent the lodgment of food thereon while eating.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which shall be simple of construction, durable in use and comparatively inexpensive of production, and which may be conveniently carried in the vest-pocket and easily and quickly placed into and removed from position.

With this object in view, the invention consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts, which will be hereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 illustrates the application of my invention. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of the guard removed, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view.

In the accompanying drawings the same reference characters indicate the same parts of the invention.

1 denotes the body of the guard, which is arched or bowed upwardly, as shown at 2, and is provided on its upper face with a longitudinal groove 3 and at its ends with inwardly and upwardly curved prongs 4. The upper surface of the body portion near its inner end is provided with a series of upwardly-projecting and rearwardly-inclined teeth 5, which are inserted up through the hairs of the mustache. An elastic tape or string 6 is attached intermediate its ends to a ring 6′, fixed to the central portion of the body, and is provided at its ends with eyelets or openings 7. After the teeth have been inserted through the mustache the tape or string is strapped around the mustache, thus pressing it into the longitudinal groove, and its eyelets engaged with the curved prongs 4, thus securing the strap or tape in place. Owing to the fact that the mustache is clamped down into the groove, the tape will also be prevented from sliding sidewise off the body portion of the guard, and by providing the curved prongs 4 not only is means furnished for quickly and securely attaching the ends of the tape, but in addition thereto these curved prongs serve to support the long flowing ends of the mustache, which otherwise might droop down in the way.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction, operation, and advantages of the invention will be readily understood without requiring an extended explanation.

It will be seen that the device is simple of construction, that said construction permits of its manufacture at small cost, and that it is exceedingly well adapted for the purpose for which it is designed.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is—

A mustache-guard, consisting of an arched or bow-shaped body portion provided with a longitudinal groove on its upper surface, and with upwardly and rearwardly projecting teeth, and having its ends formed with upwardly and rearwardly curved prongs, and an elastic tape or cord having eyelets at its ends to engage said prongs, and a ring for connecting the intermediate portion of said tape to the body portion of the guard, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

Thomas Ferry.

Witnesses:

Albert Jacquot,

Lewis Sasse.