To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Thore J. Hagen, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grand Forks, in the county of Grand Forks and State of North Dakota, 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.

This invention relates to guards for protecting the mustache from contact with the food which is being passed into the mouth in eating.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is simple in construction, light and durable, easily applied and removed, and effective for its intended purpose.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view showing the application of the invention. Fig. 2 is a rear or inner side elevation of the guard detached. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of one of the guard-sections. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of the same, and Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section on line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

The guard comprises in its construction two members 1 and 2, adapted to be applied to the ends of the moustache. Each section consists of an outer guard or protecting plate 3, having at its lower edge an inturned flange 4. In rear of the guard-plate and coacting therewith is a comb-plate 5, the teeth or prongs 6 of which are adapted to be passed upward through the mustache and to clamp the same against the back of the guard-plate 3. The lower edge of the plate 5 is inturned to form a flange 7, which extends on a plane just above the said flange 4 of the guard-plate, so that the comb-plate may be moved in the are of a circle in such manner that the flanges will clear each other in passing. The guard-plate is provided at its ends with ears 8, and the comb-plate is similarly provided at its ends with ears 9, and through registering openings in these ears a rod 10 is passed, and thus pivotally connects the comb-plate to the guard-plate. The outer end of the rod 10 is upset to form a head 11 to prevent its withdrawal, while the inner end thereof is bent to form an eye 12, the eyes 12 of the rods of the two sections 1 and 2 being movably connected by a link 13, whereby the said two sections or members of the guard are movably related and may be adjusted as required.

The flanges 4 and 7 of the guard and comb plates have portions displaced near their outer end intermediate of their length, which portions are bent outward to form lugs or finger-pieces 14 and 15, and embracing the rod 10 near the outer end thereof is a coil-spring 16, whose ends 17 and 18 bear respectively against said lugs 14 and 15, whereby the comb-plate is normally pressed inward with its teeth 6 engaging the guard-plate, but may be retracted or opened to allow the guard to be engaged with the mustache by pressing upon the said finger-piece, as will be readily understood.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and mode of use of my improved mustache-guard will be readily understood and it will be seen that a simple and effective device for the stated purpose is provided.

The guard may be made of any suitable material which will insure strength and lightness and may be as ornamental as desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is—

A mustache-guard comprising two sections or members, each consisting of a guard-plate provided with apertured ears, a rod extending through said ears and pivotally connecting the comb-plate to the guard-plate, said rod being headed at one end to prevent disconnection and provided with an eye at its opposite end, a spring coacting with the rod to hold the comb-plate normally closed against the guard-plate, and a link connecting the eye of the rod of one section or member of the guard with the eye of the other section or member of the guard, thus movably connecting said members together.

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

Thore J. Hagen.

Witnesses:

W. M. Edmunds,

C. M. Tjosvold.