U.S. patent application number 15/618386 was filed with the patent office on 2018-12-13 for mouth guard with breathing channel.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bite Tech, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Bite Tech, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jeff Padovan.
Application Number | 20180353838 15/618386 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64562702 |
Filed Date | 2018-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180353838 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Padovan; Jeff |
December 13, 2018 |
MOUTH GUARD WITH BREATHING CHANNEL
Abstract
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a mouth guard
having a multiple chamber air channel allowing the user to mouth
breathe during use. The air channel includes a forward air chamber
and a pair of rear chambers. A support structure forms a divide
between the pair of rear chambers with the front air chamber being
generally unobstructed. The support structure may be relatively
narrow and positioned rearward of an upper lingual ridge of the
mouth guard.
Inventors: |
Padovan; Jeff; (Wilton,
CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bite Tech, Inc. |
Norwalk |
CT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Bite Tech, Inc.
Norwalk
CT
|
Family ID: |
64562702 |
Appl. No.: |
15/618386 |
Filed: |
June 9, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2071/086 20130101;
A63B 71/085 20130101; A63B 2071/088 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 71/08 20060101
A63B071/08 |
Claims
1. A mouth guard comprising: a pair of molar receiving elements
connected to an outer guard through an intermediate guard portion;
and a multiple chamber air channel extending through at least the
intermediate guard portion and outer guard and including a first
air chamber connected to a pair of rear chambers, said air channel
allowing the user to mouth breathe while wearing the mouth
guard.
2. The mouth guard of claim 1 wherein the first air chamber is
generally oblong in shape and the pair of rear chambers are
generally elliptical in shape.
3. The mouth guard of claim 1 further comprising: upper and lower
lingual ridges.
4. The mouth guard of claim 3 wherein the pair of rear chambers are
defined between a support structure generally aligned between the
upper and lower lingual ridges.
5. The mouth guard of claim 4, wherein a front support wall of the
support structure is aligned with a forward portion of the upper
lingual ridge.
6. A mouth guard comprising: a pair of molar receiving elements; an
intermediate guard portion connecting the pair of molar receiving
elements; and an outer guard, with an air channel extending through
the intermediate guard portion and the outer guard, said air
channel defined by an elongated opening in the outer guard and pair
of openings defined in an inner wall, with a vertical support
structure separating a pair of rear air chambers.
7. The mouth guard of claim 6, wherein the vertical support
structure is approximately located between an upper lingual ridge
and a lower lingual ridge.
8. The mouth guard of claim 6, wherein the air channel includes a
single oblong front chamber and a pair of generally elliptical rear
chambers.
9. An oral appliance comprising: an outer guard; an intermediate
guard connected to the outer guard; and a pair of molar receiving
elements connected to the intermediate guard, with an air channel
positioned between at least the outer guard and the intermediate
guard, said air channel including an elongated forward chamber
being generally unsupported within the outer guard and a pair of
rear chambers being defined between a support structure.
10. The oral appliance of claim 9, wherein the support structure is
positioned entirely within the intermediate guard.
11. The oral appliance of claim 10, wherein the support structure
is positioned behind an upper lingual ridge.
12. The oral appliance of claim 11, wherein the support structure
is positioned forward of a lower lingual ridge.
13. The oral appliance of claim 9, wherein the forward chamber is
generally oblong in shape and the pair of rear chambers are
generally elliptical in shape.
14. A method of conveying air through a mouth guard, the method
comprising: aligning a pair of molar receiving elements within a
user's mouth, said molar receiving elements being coupled together
via an intermediate guard portion and an outer guard; providing a
multiple chamber air channel within at least the intermediate guard
portion and the outer guard, including at least a forward air
chamber open to the outer guard and a bifurcated pair of air
chambers positioned behind the forward air chamber and open to an
inner guard wall, with said pair of air chambers established
substantially rearward from the outer guard; and passing air
through the air channel and into the user.
15. The mouth guard of claims 1 through 8 comprising a medical
grade silicone material.
16. The mouth guard of claim 15 wherein the mouth guard is
immediately ready to use without fitting or pretreatment.
17. The mouth guard of claims 1 through 8 comprising a TPE and/or
TPU compatible material.
18. The mouth guard of claims 1 through 8 wherein the outer guard
is sized to cover and protect the user's lips.
19. The mouth guard of claims 1 through 8 wherein marketing or
commercial indicia, including logos or trademarks, is provided on
the lip guard.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Mouth guards are recognized to help protect the user's
teeth, lips, jaws and gums from injury during athletic engagement.
Mouth guards have traditionally been formed of plastic or rubber
and engage a user's upper and lower teeth to keep the guard in
position. Traditional mouth guards have a tendency to obstruct the
user's mouth opening and thus obstruct breathing through the mouth,
which is often necessary for heavy breathing during athletic
endeavors. Thus, there is a need for an effective mouth guard that
allows for improved air flow through a user's mouth.
SUMMARY
[0002] In general, embodiments of the present disclosure describe a
mouth guard with a breathing channel. Embodiments of the present
disclosure describe a mouth guard having a pair of molar receiving
elements with an outer lip-guard configured to confront an exterior
surface of the user's lips. A breathing channel extends inwardly
from the outer guard and defines an air passage allowing the user
to breathe through the mouth guard.
[0003] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a mouth
guard having a multi-chamber breathing channel including a single
front chamber opening to the outer wall and connected to a pair of
rearward chambers. In one embodiment, a single front breathing
chamber is coupled to a pair of generally elliptical rear chambers.
In one embodiment, a front oblong breathing chamber is coupled to a
pair of rear chambers. The front breathing chamber may extend from
the front surface of the outer guard to a support wall
approximately aligned with a forward portion of a lingual
ridge.
[0004] In various embodiments, the molar receiving elements include
a plurality of molar channels or other structure which enhance grip
and stability. The molar channels or other structure may extend
along the upper and lower biting surfaces of the molar receiving
elements to maintain the mouth guard in place.
[0005] The outer guard includes a rearward surface that generally
conforms to the user's lips. In some embodiments, the outer guard
includes a forward surface having an aperture that may be used to
attach a strap.
[0006] In one embodiment, both the mouth guard and detachable strap
are formed of silicone, such as biocompatible medical grade
silicone. Medical grade silicone is silicone with properties that
allow it to be safely used in contact with living tissue. In one
embodiment, the mouth guard and strap are entirely comprised of
medical grade silicone.
[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, marketing and
advertising indicia, such as trademarks and logos, can be provided
upon the lip-guard.
[0008] In one method of use, a user would position the mouth guard
in their mouth such that molar receiving elements are received
between the user's molars and the user's lips are disposed adjacent
the rearward surface of the outer guard. The air channel then
extends between the user's lips so that the user may breathe
through the channel while the mouth guard is in place.
[0009] The details of one or more examples are set forth in the
description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be
apparent from the description and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] This written disclosure describes illustrative embodiments
that are non-limiting and non-exhaustive. In the drawings, which
are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals describe
substantially similar components throughout the several views. Like
numerals having different letter suffixes represent different
instances of substantially similar components. The drawings
illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of
limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present
document.
[0011] Reference is made to illustrative embodiments that are
depicted in the figures, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view in accordance with one
or more embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view of the invention
in FIG. 1
[0014] FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of the invention of
FIG. 1.
[0015] FIGS. 4-7 illustrate additional detailed perspective views
of the invention of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIGS. 8-11 illustrate cross-sectional views of the invention
of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to
the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way
of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments
are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the
art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be
implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as
being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following
detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting
sense.
[0018] Mouth guard 10 includes a pair of molar receiving elements
12 connected to an outer guard 14 positioned forward of the molar
receiving elements 12. An intermediate guard portion 16 is defined
between the molar receiving elements 12 and the outer guard 14. In
use, at least one or more of a user's incisors and canine teeth
engage the intermediate guard portion 16, the user's molars engage
the molar receiving elements 12 and outer guard 14 engages the
user's lip.
[0019] An inner surface of outer guard 14 is configured to confront
the user's lips. A detachable strap 18 is connected to the outer
guard 14. The strap is configured to be attached to a helmet or
other head-worn appliance. In one embodiment both the mouth guard
10 and strap 18 are comprised of medical grade silicone. In one
embodiment, mouth guard 10 is entirely comprised of medical grade
silicone and is immediately ready to use without fitting or
pre-treatment. In other embodiments of the present invention, mouth
guard 10 includes thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and/or
thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU). The mouth guard 10 can include
additives, such as an antimicrobial agent. Antimicrobial substances
which are non-toxic and free of heavy metal for resisting the
growth of the microbials may include CHLORINATED PHENOL (e.g.
5-CHLORO-2-(2,-4-DICHLOROPHENOXY)PHENOL), POLYHEXAMETHYLENE
BIGUANIDE HYDROCHLORIDE (PHMB), DOXYCYCLINE, CHLORHEXIDINE,
METRONIDAZOLE, THYMOL, ENCALYPOL and METHYL SALYCILATE .
TRICLOSAN.RTM. from Siba Giegy of Switzerland is also
available.
[0020] Silicone strap 18 is relatively resilient and dampens
pull-out forces encountered, for example, during abrupt head
movement. An air channel 20 extends between an opening in outer
guard 14 and includes an air passage through intermediate guard
portion 16. Channel 20 defines a multi-chamber air passage,
including a forward chamber 30 opening to the outer guard 14 and a
pair of rear chambers 32, 34. An inner wall 36 extends between the
molar receiving elements 12. Rear air chambers 32, 34 exit along
inner wall 36. Air channel 20 thus extends from inner wall 36
between the molar receiving members 10 and extends through the
outer guard 14 whereby a user may breathe or drink through air
channel 20.
[0021] Molar receiving elements 12 include channel or pads
extending along upper and lower biting surfaces to provide grip and
stability. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the upper
biting surface includes a plurality of channels 40 and the lower
biting surface includes a patterned molar pad 42, as shown in FIGS.
3, 6 and 7.
[0022] An upper lingual ridge 50 extends between the pair of molar
receiving elements 12. In the illustrated embodiment, a lower
lingual ridge 52 is also provided. The lingual ridges 50, 52 are
provided to enhance fit and reduce inadvertent misalignment or
ejection of the mouth guard during use. Lingual ridges 50, 52
extend generally along an arc which would follow the curvature of
the user's upper and lower arcades of teeth. As shown in the
figures, lingual ridges 50, 52 may extend above and below the upper
and lower biting surfaces of the molar receiving elements 12. In
the illustrated embodiment, the upper lingual ridge 50 is
significantly longer than lower lingual ridge 52. Lingual ridges
50, 52 confront the inner surface of a user's teeth and help to
maintain the mouth guard in place, resisting lateral movement of
the mouth guard within the user's mouth.
[0023] Forward air chamber 30 has a generally elongated or oblong
cross-sectional profile. Forward air chamber 30 includes a pair of
upper and lower generally planar surfaces 60, 62 and a pair of
semi-elliptical end portions 64. In the illustrated embodiment,
planar surfaces 60, 62 are generally parallel to each other and the
air chamber 20 has a generally uniform cross-sectional profile.
[0024] Rear chambers 32, 34 are shown as generally elliptical or
oval in cross-sectional shape. The generally elliptical outer ends
of rear chambers 32, 34 are sized and aligned with the generally
elliptical ends 64 of the forward air chamber 30. As a result, air
chamber 20, throughout its length and including forward chamber 30
and rear chambers 32, 32, includes generally uniform elliptical end
profiles.
[0025] Rear chambers 32, 34 are separated between a generally
vertical support structure 70. Support structure 70 includes a
front wall 72 defining a boundary between forward air chamber 30
and rear chambers 32, 34. As shown in FIGS. 8-11, support structure
70 extends in a forward direction from inner wall 36 to front wall
72. Front wall 72 of support structure 70 is generally aligned with
the upper lingual ridge 50 as shown in FIG. 10. As a result, in the
illustrated embodiment the support structure 70 is generally
positioned between upper and lower lingual ridges 50, 52. One
function of the support structure 70 is to minimize collapse of the
air channel.
[0026] Outer guard 14 also includes an aperture 80 (shown in FIG.
10) which may be used to attach strap 18. In one embodiment, strap
18 is detachable from outer guard 14. In some embodiments, strap 18
may be temporarily detached to limit pull out forces transferred to
outer guard 14.
[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, outer lip-guard
14 includes trademark or advertising indicia, such as logos, etc.,
that are externally visible during use.
[0028] In use, a user would place mouth guard 10 in their mouth
such that molar receiving elements 12 are received between the
user's molars and the user's lips engage outer guard 14. Air
channel 20 this extends between the user's lips whereby the user
may breathe through passageway even while mouth guard 10 is in
place.
[0029] Other embodiments of the present disclosure are possible.
Although the description above contains much specificity, these
should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure,
but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently
preferred embodiments of this disclosure. It is also contemplated
that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific
features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall
within the scope of this disclosure. It should be understood that
various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be
combined with or substituted for one another in order to form
various embodiments. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at
least some of the present disclosure should not be limited by the
particular disclosed embodiments described above.
[0030] Thus the scope of this disclosure should be determined by
the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Therefore, it will
be appreciated that the scope of the present disclosure fully
encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those
skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present disclosure is
accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended
claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not
intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated,
but rather "one or more." All structural, chemical, and functional
equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred
embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are
expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be
encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary
for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to
be solved by the present disclosure, for it to be encompassed by
the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method
step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the
public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step
is explicitly recited in the claims.
[0031] The foregoing description of various preferred embodiments
of the disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration
and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the disclosure to the precise embodiments, and obviously many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teaching. The example embodiments, as described above, were chosen
and described in order to best explain the principles of the
disclosure and its practical application to thereby enable others
skilled in the art to best utilize the disclosure in various
embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the
particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the
disclosure be defined by the claims appended hereto. Various
examples have been described. These and other examples are within
the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *