They Invented What? (No. 138)

U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,212:  Sound muffler for covering the mouth.

 

We claim:

1. A human sound muffler and indicator comprising a unitary body adapted to be grasped and manipulated by a user, at least one end of said body comprising a saddle shaped body of compliant sound absorbing foam material adapted to fit over the mouth of a user and engage the face around the mouth to form an effective sound seal to receive sound directly from the mouth and absorb substantially most of the sound in the foam material, a microphone for receiving unabsorbed sound disposed adjacent the bottom of said foam saddle and providing an output signal responsive to the unabsorbed sound, and means in said body for receiving said output signal and providing an indication on said body of the intensity of the unabsorbed sound.

2. A human sound muffler as in claim 1 in which said means providing an indication of the intensity of the unabsorbed sound comprises lights.

3. A human sound muffler as in claim 1 in which said means providing an indication of the intensity of the unabsorbed sound is an analog meter.

4. A human sound muffler as in claim 1 in which said means providing an indication of the intensity of the unabsorbed sound is a printer.