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 Title: |
US7128072:
Mouthguard
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Bancroft, James J.; Englewood Cliffs, NJ, United States of America
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| Assignee: |
Total Gard Corporation, Teaneck, NJ, United States of America
other patents from TOTAL GARD CORPORATION (820166) (approx. 1)
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| Published / Filed: |
2006-10-31
/ 2001-12-14
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| Application Number: |
US2001000014440
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
A61C 5/14;
A63B 71/08;
Core:
A61C 5/00;
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| ECLA Code: |
A63B71/08M; K63B71/08M6;
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| U.S. Class: |
128/859;
128/861;
128/862;
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| Field of Search: |
128/846,848,859-862,869,882
433/003
602/902,23,26
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| Priority Number: |
| 2001-12-14 |
US2001000014440 |
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| Abstract: |
A mouthguard has a flexible frame, and has bite tabs extending from the rear surface of the frame for engaging the wearer's teeth. The bite tabs include anterior bite tabs for engaging the wearer's front teeth. A narrow split may be provided between the anterior bite tabs that allows the bite tabs to maintain their flexibility. The flexible frame lays against the outer surface of the teeth and extends into the buccal folds superiorly and interiorly of the cheek where the muscles hold it in place. Grooves may be positioned lengthwise along the frame above and below the bite tabs for purposes of flexibility and to allow the muscles of the cheek to press the upper and lower extensions of the frame close to the bone for better retention and comfort. The teeth engage the bite tabs, thus preventing the teeth from clashing together and protecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). One or more air holes may be provided in the front portion of the mouthguard 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: |
McGuireWoods LLP ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Brown, Michael A.;
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
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Family Legal Status Report
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| Family: |
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First Claim:
Show all 22 claims |
1. A mouthguard for insertion into a wearer's mouth to protect the wearer's teeth and temporomandibular joint from trauma, said mouthguard comprising: a generally curved, flexible member having a longitudinal extent and 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 bite tabs extending along a substantial portion of said longitudinal extent and projecting inwardly from said central portion and said end members, said bite tabs being adapted to be engaged by at least one of the wearer's anterior teeth and one of 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 4 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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