US631081A - Mouthpiece for telephones. - Google Patents

Description

No.'63l,08l. Patented Aug. l5, 1899` A. LAEMMEL, MOUTHPIECE FUR TELEPHUNES.

(Application led Apr. 28, 1899.)

(No Model.)

U UUmmmillllllllllNllIlllllllllllllNllllllllH10Illillmllimillllumh v w/TNESSES.- 1:1, lA/VENTO# WW1@ 1 We@ ma( l By /wyfzw time to the use of telephones, and particularlyv UNITED STATES-V PAT-ENT Prion.

ALBERT LAEMMEL, OF NE7 YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO JOHN V. LUFF, OF SAME PLACE.

NIOUTHPIECE FOR TELEPHONES.

SPECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters Patent No. 631,081, dated August 15, 1899. Application tiled April 28, 1899. Serial No. 714,785. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it muy concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT LAEMMEL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, borough of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have made and invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mouthpieces for Telephones, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in mouthpieces for telephones, and more particularly to a detachable or removable lining therefor.

The objection has been made from time to those in public places, that dan ger of contamination exists by reason of the presence of disease germs which attach themselves to the mouthpiece after being exhaled from the breath of those using the instrument. To overcome this objection, various means have been employed fordestroying any germs that might be exhaled into the mouthpiece-as, for instance, lining the mouthpiece with an absorbent material, such material being saturated or moistened with a germ-destroying liquid or substance. Again, netting moistened with certain liquids has been stretched across the front end of the mouthpiece; but such devices have met with no success, principally on account of the necessity of keeping the material moistened or impregnated with the liquid or chemical substance, as unless such is done the felt lining or netting is more apt to receive and retain the disease germs than would the hard-rubber mouthpiece if said lining or netting were entirely omitted.

The object of my invention is to provide a lining which may be readily and easily applied to or removed from the mouthpiece and made of waterproofmaterial in order that it may be detached from time to time and washed without damage or deterioration and again readily attached in place.

With these and other ends in view my invention consists of a lining made of celluloid or similar material and of substantially the same size and shape as the mouthpiece, its outer edge being flanged or curled over in order to grasp the outer extreme edge of the hard-rubber mouthpiece.

My invention further consists in certain tion.

novel features of construction, as will be hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claim,

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved lining detached from the mouthpiece of the telephone. Fig. 2 is a side view of a telephone-transmitter having the mouthpiece shown in section and my improved lining attached thereto. Fig. 3 is a face view of a modification of my improved lining detached from the mouthpiece.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a bracket or support for a telephone-transmitter B, the latter having screwed or otherwise secured to the face thereof the mouthpiece C, these parts being constructed and arranged in the ordinary manner and with which those skilled in the art are perfectly familiar.

D represents my improved lining-piece, which, as illustrated, is made in the form or shape of a funnel and corresponds in size and shape to the inner side of the mouthpiece C, the narrow restricted end a of the neck b preferably abutting against the perforated diaphragm c of the mouthpiece O when the lining is in its proper position. The larger end of the lining D is turned or curled over, as shown at d, forming a flange for grasping or gripping the lining-piece to the outer edge of the mouthpiece O and retaining it in this posi- This lining is made of a Waterproof substance, preferably celluloid, which allows of its being cleansed or washed by water or other liquids without in any way affecting the material of which the lining is made. Further, by forming the lining of Celluloid it is possessed of a certain amount of elasticity, which allows it to be readily attached to and removed from the mouthpiece, and, again, when made of this substance may be of any desired color-as, for instance, white, thereby forming a pleasing contrast to the black hardrubber mouthpiece and lending to the latter a cleanly and inviting appearance. v

In Fig. 3 I have shown afront or face view of the lining-piece, the narrow or restricted end of which is formed with a perforated diaphragm c, the perforations f corresponding in number, size, and position with those of the perforated diaphragm c of the mouthpiece O,

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the lining in this instance covering the entire inner surface of the latter.

It will be understood from the above that my invention is exceedingly simple, that it overcomes the objections urged against the other devices employed for the same purpose, and that it is capable of being instantly attached to or removed from the mouthpieces now in general use without the aid of screws or other external locking appliances and Without in any Way mutilating or alteringr said mouthpiece, and, finally, that being of a non-absorbent material it may be Washed or cleansed as often as desired, and thereby prevent the secretion or attachment of disease germs.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A removable lining adapted to fit within the mouthpiece of a telephone, and molded or formed of one piece of Celluloid, said lining being of substantially the same shape as the mouthpiece to which it is fitted, and pro-

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