Wacky Patent of the Month (Mar. 1998): U.S. Patent 730,918

<BODY BGCOLOR="#C0C0C0"> <center><b>EYE PROTECTOR FOR CHICKENS<p>ANDREW JACKSON, JR.</b><p>Patented December 10, 1902<p></center> <hr size=2> To all whom it may concern:<P> Be it known that I, Andrew Jackson, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Munich, in the county of Jackson, State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Eye-Protectors for Chickens; and I do hereby 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.<P> This invention relates to eye protectors, and more particularly to eye-protectors designed for fowls, so that they may be protected from other fowls that might attempt to peck them, a further object of the invention being to provide a construction which may be easily and quickly applied and removed and which will not interfere with the sight of the fowl.<P> An additional object of the invention is to provide a construction which may be adjusted so that it will fir different-sized fowls.<P> In the drawing forming a portion of this specification, and in which like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, <A HREF="730918/fig1.htm" TARGET="myfig">Figure 1</A> is a view showing the device attached to the head of a chicken. <A HREF="730918/fig2.htm" TARGET="myfig">Fig. 2</A> is a perspective view of the device removed from the head of a chicken.<P> Referring now to the drawings, the present device comprises the two circular frames 5 and 6 and the U-shaped band or strap 7, the ends of which are secured to the frames, and this band may be of spring material, so that the frames are held yieldably in predetermined relation. In frames 5 and 6 are secured sheets 8 of glass, mica, or other suitable material, these sheets being concavo-convex, the concaved sides being disposed toward each other, while the convex sides are disposed outwardly. The frames 5 and 6 are somewhat larger that the eyes of the fowl to be protected, and to adjust the frames they are drawn apart and sprung over the head of the chicken, so that one frame encircles each eye. The resiliency of the spring-strap is such that the frames are held close against the sides of the chicken's head, but not with pressure sufficient to give pain, and the inner sides of the frame may be notched, so that there will be a circulation of air between the transparent plates and the eye of the fowl.<P> At the ends of the U-shaped plate 7 are the loops 9 and 10, in which are engaged the ends of a second U-shaped plate or strap 11, which are held by set screws 12, so that they may be adjusted as desired. The strap 11 passes around the neck of the fowl and keeps the frames from slipping from place.<P> It will be understood that in practice modifications of the specific construction shown may be made and that any suitable materials and proportions may be used for the various parts without departing from the spirit of the invention.<P> What is claimed is--<P> An eye protector for fowls comprising two frames each having a transparent plate therein, an elastic U-shaped strap attached at its ends to the frames respectively and a second strap connected to the first strap at right angles thereto and adjacent to the frames.<P> In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.<P> Andrew Jackson, Jr.<P> Witnesses:<BR> W.V. Bringle,<BR> E.J. Smith. <hr size=2> <CENTER> <A HREF="wacky/wackyold.htm"><IMG SRC="image/shared/b5.gif" WIDTH=113 HEIGHT=28 ALT="Prior page" border=0></A> <A HREF="index.htm"><IMG SRC="image/shared/b1.gif" WIDTH=113 HEIGHT=28 ALT="Home page" border=0></A> <A HREF="links.htm"><IMG SRC="image/shared/b4.gif" WIDTH=113 HEIGHT=28 ALT="Inventor Links" border=0></A> </CENTER> </BODY>