Improvements in Muzzles.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Dec., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 6th Mar., 1891-Accepted, 25th Apr., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Muzzles.
I, ARNOLD RICHARD STEINBACH, of 39, Wattgasse, Ottakring, Vienna,
Austria, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in muzzles for dogs and other
animals, by which the inconveniences resulting from the use of muzzles as hitherto
constructed are completely obviated.
The use of muzzles of known construction has been attended by several very
serious inconveniences, amongst which may be mentioned the tedious and incon-
venient manner of fastening the muzzle on the head of the animal by means of five
straps; the obturation of the nostrils impeding the animal's breathing through the
nose, the disfigurement of the head of the animal by the forehead strap, which
frequently covers the eyes, etc.
All these drawbacks are completely obviated by the use of muzzles made
according to my invention.
The improved muzzle, which may be made of metal strips, wire, leather or any
other suitable material is composed of a strap adapted to pass horizontally around
the animal's face, so that its front portion is disposed immediately below the
nostrils. This horizontal strap is kept in position by means of one or more cross
straps whose ends are suitably fastened to the lateral portions of the horizontal
strap and arranged above the animal's nose so that the tip of the nose is left free
and the rubbing of the same against the parts of the muzzle is prevented.
The aperture thus left between the horizontal strap and the nose strap or straps
allows thic animal to breathe freely through the nose, and the use of the nose strap
or straps enables the highly inconvenient forehead straps commonly used in muzzles
to be dispensed with.
The mouth of the animal is enclosed in one or more bent parts attached to the
horizontal strap and extending downwardly and being if desired provided with a
grating. As the animal can open its mouth only in a downward direction, the bent
parts (with the grating attached to the same when one is used) prevent the animal
from biting. The bars forming the grating can be arranged either in a horizontal
or in a vertical direction and can be formed by straps, bands, wires or chains.
Such an arrangement of muzzle permits the animal to drink freely but prevents
it from drawing into the muzzle bones or other articles.
The muzzle is fastened on the neck of the animal by means of two straps, wires
or chains attached to the muzzle laterally and preferably somewhat below the rear
ends of the horizontal strap. In this manner the putting on and fastening of the
muzzle can be effected very quickly and conveniently.
Dated this 3rd day of December 1890.
A. R. STEINBACH,
By L. W., per F. B.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Muzzles.
I, ARNOLD RICHARD STEINBACH, of Vienna, Austria, Gentleman, do hereby
declare the nature of this 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 relates to a new or improved muzzle for dogs and other animals.
Heretofore, the muzzles that were generally used did not fullfil their object as the
animals wearing them could not breathe freely and were unable to put out their
tongue for drinking purposes, which was a very important defect often conducive
to hydrophobia. Moreover their heads were often disfigured by the cross bands of the
muzzle, which as it was not generally made to fit the particular animal wearing it,
often caused abrasions of the skin, which were not only painful to the animal but
had a liability to render it furious.
Now my invention has for its object to fully remedy these defects, as the muzzle
constructed according to the same can be rapidly placed in position on the animal's
head and removed therefrom without incommoding the same; it can moreover be
fitted to the head of the wearer and allows the animal to move its tongue freely
while at the same time preventing it obsolutely from biting a desideratium not
often obtained with muzzles of ordinary constructions.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my improved muzzle.
Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively a side and a front view of a dog's head furnished
with one of my improved muzzles.
Fig. 4 illustrates the mode of fastening the neck straps and
Fig. 5 shows the fastening buckle.
The improved muzzle which may be made of wire, leather, or other suitable
material consists of an upper loop a arranged below the dog's nostrils and around
its head, this loop carrying a padded covering piece b resting upon the bridge of
the dog's nose in such a manner, as to allow the animal to breathe freely while not
interfering with its sight.
The upper loop a is connected to the lower hoop d by means of rivetted upright
pieces or strips ff and of the loops c c which connects them also to the bottom
longitudinal piece e which bear against the dog's underjaw and the rear end of
which together with the rear ends of the loops a and d are rivetted to the front
noose c articulated to the neck straps g g'. The free end of the strap g'is
furnished at equal intervals with a series of perforations through which can be
inserted the pin of the buckle h fixed to the free end of the strap g (Figs. 4
and 5).
The loops a and d are arranged to leave a space in front for the dog's tongue as
clearly shown in the drawings, this space being limited at the rear by the strips ffl
so as to prevent the animal from opening its jaws sufficiently wide to bite, as the
anterior part d' of the loop d, will in such cases come in front of the dog's mouth.
The straps g g being free to move on their pivots, afford great comfort to the
animal, as the latter can move his head freely after the said straps are buckled in
position.
Another advantage of these straps is that in order to allow them to be properly
and conveniently fastened at the back of the animal s neck, the muzzle must
absolutely fit its head.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. An improved muzzle for dogs and other animals consisting of two longitudinal
loops a and d connected in front by rivetted upright strips ff, and rivetted at the

page_text: rear to the noose c', to the extremities of which are also articulated the two neck
straps g g', furnished respectively at their rear ends with perforations and with a
buckle h, these loops a and d being further connected together, and to a lowermost
strip e rivetted at the rear to the noose c' by means of two vertical loops c, sub-
stantially as described and shown in the accompanying drawings and for the
purpose set forth.
Dated this 6th day of March 1891.
RAYNER & CASSELL,
37, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.