Year: 1886

page_text: I WILLIAM EDWARD NICHOLS of Cheapside Works Birmingham in the County
of Warwick Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention has for its object improvements in muzzles for dogs and other
animals and is intended to supply a most effective protection against the dog biting
with the least impediment to the dog's freedom of action while wearing the same
and to minimize the irritation resulting therefrom.
In order that this invention may be sufficiently understood to carry it effectively
into practice I have appended hereunto a sheet of drawings upon which is illustrated
a number of views showing the important parts of my muzzles.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the muzzle when the mouth of the dog or other
animal is closed.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same muzzle also closed.
Figure 3 is a front elevation of the muzzle when the mouth is opened.
Figure 4 is a part side elevation of the muzzle as seen open at Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a plan of the hinged or lower jaw B.
Figure 6 is a broken off plan of Figure 2 with the head strap C.
Figure 7 is a broken off plan showing a modification where the head strap C is
replaced by the connecting wire rod D.
Figures 1 and 2 shews the muzzle in its complete state closed and it is then
composed of two main parts viz The upper part or frame A which also continues
downwards and under the back part of the under jaw so as to strengthen the frame
work of the same and also to become a foundation to which the under jaw B is
hinged at C¹ by a complete curl of the wire composing the back ring E which as
before mentioned continues all the way round. The under jaw frame B is hinged
to the loop e¹ by a curl h¹ and h² of the wire H. which forms the main member of
the under frame B which is stiffened by the back connecting bar K and the front
connecting bar M. This front or M bar I may either broaden or flatten or pad with
leather in such a manner as to prevent it from cutting or chafing the under jaw.
The jaw is guided in its action and the mouth guarded by the bars or frame which
is looped at n¹ around the front bar a¹ and hinged at the ends a² and a³ by similar
loops to the under jaw frame H which permits a perfectly free and easy action to

page_text: the jaw when opening. The little spring P is placed at one or both sides which
always brings the jaw back to its normal or closed position. In some muzzles the
hinge and spring are so placed and constructed as to be easily damaged or rendered.
stiff or useless by even the dogs paw in scratching. Also to avoid hurting the paw
I flatten and smoothe the junctions of the wire at such parts as a³ and 62 and other
similar junctions. I have before mentioned that the upper connecting over head
member C may be made of leather or other flexible material for joining to the
leather collar R as seen at Figure 6 or it may be made of metal as seen at
Figure 7 but in either case the result is similar as the collar is in both cases
attached to the under ring E by the link S.
The metallic part of the muzzle in some cases may be made shorter to finish
at the ring E with suitable eyes to receive a strap at the back of the ring E. It
will thus be seen that the dog can take food and drink and use his under jaw freely
without being able to seriously bite any object.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
The improvements in muzzles for dogs and other animals of a metallic or partly
metallic frame having an under jaw hinged and guarded with frame work so that
the dog may use his mouth in a limited way for taking food substantially as herein
set forth and shewn on the accompanying drawings,
GEORGE BARKER,
Agent for Applicant.