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 Title: |
US5447168:
Mouthguard
[ Derwent Title ]
>> View Certificate of Correction for this publication
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Bancroft, James J.; Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632
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| Assignee: |
None
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| Published / Filed: |
1995-09-05
/ 1994-10-03
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| Application Number: |
US1994000316866
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
A61C 7/00;
A63B 71/08;
IPC-7:
A61C 5/14;
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| ECLA Code: |
A61C7/00; A63B71/08M; K63B71/08M6;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
128/859;
128/861;
Original:
128/859;
128/861;
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| Field of Search: |
128/848,859-862
002/002
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| Priority Number: |
| 1994-10-03 |
US1994000316866 |
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| Abstract: |
A mouthguard for protecting lips against impact trauma on orthodontic appliances (braces), protecting teeth from sports trauma, protecting teeth from clashing together or grinding; and, protecting the temporomandibular joint (T.M.J.) from traumas due to a blow to the mandible. The mouthpiece comprises a curved flexible element, having two or more substantially central apertures extending therethrough and a notched portion on the upper and lower surface thereof. On the inner posterior surface of the element, an inwardly projecting portion extends at right angles thereto on each side of the aperture and designed to be grasped by the teeth. The mouthguard lays against the outer surface of the teeth with the curved flexible element and extends into the buccal folds superiorly and interiorly of the cheek where the muscles hold it in place. A groove is positioned lengthwise along the posterior curved element above and below the right angle of the projecting portion for purposes of flexibility and to allow the muscles of the cheek to press the element close to the bone for better retention and comfort. The teeth engage both sides of the inwardly projecting element which prevent the teeth from clashing together and protects the temporomandibular joint (T.M.J.). The anterior central apertures permit easy breathing. The mouthguard is retained by the muscles of the lips and cheeks, causes no gag reflex and is simple, comfortable and protective.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Howrey & Simon ;
Meyer, Richard S. ;
Jennings, Leo J. ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Brown, Michael A.;
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| Maintenance Status: |
CC Certificate of Correction issued
View Certificate of Correction
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
Show legal status actions
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| Family: |
None
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First Claim:
Show all 15 claims |
What is claimed is:
1. A mouthguard for insertion into a wearer's mouth to protect fine wearer's teeth and terndoromandibular joint from trauma, said mouthguard comprising:
- a generally curved, flexible member including a central portion for protecting the wearer's anterior teeth and two, end members each extending rearwardly from said central portion for protecting the wearer's posterior teeth, said flexible member having a front surface adjacent the wearer's lips and cheeks, a rear surface adjacent the wearer's anterior and posterior teeth when the mouthguard is inserted into the wearer's mouth, and a thickness defined by the distance between the front and rear surfaces;
- a first groove extending into one of said front and rear surfaces a predetermined depth less than the thickness of said flexible member, said groove defining a first hinge permitting flexing of a portion of the flexible member about said hinge to conform to the wearer's mouth; and
- a pair of opposed, bite tabs projecting inwardly from said end members and adapted to be engaged by the wearer's posterior teeth.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
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| Forward References: |
Show 54 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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