Ear-muffler.

Application filed May 4,1905. Serial No, 258,837,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Charles Jacob Keller, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bloomsburg, in the county of Columbia and 5 State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ear-Mufilers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled io in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to ear-mufflers; and its object is to provide a device of this character which can be folded into a compact bundle 15 adapted to be conveniently carried in the pocket and which can be quickly opened to assume a position upon the head.

Another object is to provide means whereby the coverings' of the mufflers can be held dis20 tended while in use.

Still another object is to provide means for causing the coverings to assume their proper positions for use when the device is opened.

With the above and other objects in view 25 the invention consists of a spring-bow having curved extensions at the ends thereof, said extensions forming pivots for rings to which are connected the ear-coverings of the muffler. These coverings are formed of two layers 3° which completely surround the rings and the curved extensions. Projecting devices are formed with the extensions in such a manner as to interlock with the bow to hold the mufflers one upon the other, as in a compact 35 bundle.

The invention also consists in further novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown 4° the preferred forms of my invention.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the muffler, the ear-covering being removed from one of the rings thereof. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the muffler with the 45 coverings removed and showing the device folded. Fig. 3 is an enlarged section through one of the ear-coverings and its ring.

Referring to the figures by numerals of reference, 1 is a spring-bow having curved ex5° tensions 2 at the ends thereof, each of said extensions terminating in a hook 3. A ring 4, preferably formed of sheet metal, is provided adjacent each extension and is hinged thereto by means of ears 5, extending from the ring 5 5 and having apertures through which the extensions project. Each of these rings is in closed by an ear-covering 6, formed of suitable fabric, and this covering also incloses the extension 2.

The muffler herein described is placed in po- 60 sition upon the ears by springing the extensions 2 apart a sufficient distance to permit the rings 4 to encircle the ears. When the rings are in this position, the curved extensions 2 will press the fabric covering 6 out- 65 ward to form a substantially concavo-convex receptacle for the ear. When the muffler is not in use, it can be detached and the bow 1 bent so as to bring the two rings 4 in position one upon the other. The hooks 3 can then be 7° placed into engagement with the adjoining portions of the bow, as shown in Fig. 2, and the entire muffler will therefore be locked in a folded position and can be conveniently carried in a small space. 75

It will be seen that this device is very simple and inexpensive in construction and can be folded into a compact bundle when not in use. As the ring is of flat steel, it can only be turned in one direction, and therefore the 80 lining is always kept upon the inside. It will protect the ears without danger of accidental displacement, and when it is opened the coverings 6 will be disposed with their linings in proper position to contact with the ears. Said 85 coverings can therefore be lined with a material different from that on their outer faces, and it is not necessary to carefully adjust them during their application.

In the foregoing description I have shown 9° the preferred forms of my invention; but I do not limit myself thereto, as I am aware that modifications maybe made therein without departing from the spirit or sacrificing the advantages thereof, and I therefore re- 95 serve the right to make such changes as fairly fall within the scope of my invention.