To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Reuben P. Hollinshead, a citizen of the United States, residing at Morrison, in the county of Whiteside and State of Illinois, 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, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in that class of devices which are adapted for use for suspending a gentleman's mustache in order to keep the same up out of the way at the table, thus preventing the annoyance which so frequently is experienced in eating soups and other like foods, and in drinking tea, coffee, or other liquids by gentlemen having heavy mustaches.

The object of the invention is to generally improve upon the construction and at the same time to render more serviceable and efficient in operation this class of appliances.

To these ends, and to such others as the invention may pertain, the same consists in the peculiar construction of the mustache-guard, which will be hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings, and then specifically defined in the appended claim.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, like letters of reference indicating like parts throughout the several views, and in which—

Figure 1 is a perspective view, in which I have shown the mustache-guard as in actual use. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the metallic piece of which the guard is formed as it appears when cut into the proper form and in readiness for shaping to conform to the mustache. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of my mustache-guard complete.

Reference now being had to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates a strip of sheet metal, the length of which corresponds with the distance from tip to tip of the mustache upon which it is to be used. Upon one of its sides the strip is cut upon an arc of a circle, as shown at B in Fig. 2, the said are extending from one to the other of the extreme ends of the strip. At the longitudinal center of the strip a narrow portion C is provided, and the said narrowed portion is connected with the ends upon the side of the strip opposite the edge B by the curves E and F, which curves are upon the ares of circles of less diameter than the diameter of the arc B. The edge B of the strip is provided at points adjacent to and upon either side of the longitudinal center of the strip with the parallel slits or incisions G G, which slits extend for a short distance inwardly or toward the opposite edge of the strip, thus forming the central piece H at the longitudinal center of the strip. It will be seen that by bending the portion H inwardly the edges of the strip upon each side of the longitudinal center may be readily turned inwardly or bent so as to fashion the plate into the particular curvature desired to properly retain the mustache, and that when thus properly fashioned the plate will cover the entire mustache and will effectually hold the same in place and in such a position that it will not interfere in eating or drinking.

The elastic cord or band I, which serves to retain the guard in place, is secured at its ends within suitable openings provided for the purpose near the upper edge of the plate adjacent to its ends. This cord or band is designed to be passed around the head of the wearer, as shown.

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

A blank for a mustache-guard of sheet metal having one edge formed on the are of a circle, and at a point near the center formed with two parallel slits G G, leaving central piece H, and the opposite edge narrowed, as at C, opposite the central piece H, and from each side of said narrowed portion curved upon the ares of circles of less diameter than that of the other edge, and provided with holes, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

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

Reuben P. Hollinshead.

Witnesses:

Wilbur L. Brewer,

F. A. Van Osdol.