The device made of stretchable or elastic material comprises a chin rest or support (3) engageable under the chin and strap means (1, 2) adapted to bear against the head at a location opposite the chin so as to urge the lower jaw towards the upper jaw. Thus supporting the mandible, the device improves the tongue posture, achieving a correct swallowing pattern, reducing mouth breathing and facilitating nasal respiration. Snoring is overcome through temporary use of the device.
[French]
+ANTI-SNORE TRAINING DEVICE AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME +Field of the Invention This invention is directed to a device and method for training a person to stop snoring and to reduce or eliminate bruxing (i.e., grinding o ' f teeth), and clenching of teeth. +Background of the Invention Aside f rom the strain that snoring often places on relationships, it may also be associated with many other biological problems and disorders, including sleep apnoea, where breathing actually stops for short periods during sleep. Snoring is caused by the soft palate vibrating as air is sucked into the mouth over the top side of the tongue. To avoid snoring, the mouth must remain closed during sleep and the tongue must be in the correct position behind the teeth at or against the roof of the mouth.
-Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a anti-snore training device to improve the location of the mandible (lower jaw) and help protect the integrity of the temporo mandibular joint (T.M.J.) , improve tongue posture by causing the tip of the tongue to assume its correct rest position against the rugae in the hard palate, thereby assisting in achieving a correct swallowing pattern which consequently may also reduce or eliminate habitual mouth breathing (that is the tendency to breath constantly through the mouth) and thereby facilitating unimpeded entry and easy nasal respiration by training the mouth to assume a correct sleeping posture. Consequently, it may also help asthma, hayfever and allergy sufferers. Further, it may be used to prevent open bites developing during orthopaedic and/or orthodontic therapy.
It may also increase lung capacity and help slow the formation of second or double chin.
The present invention provides a device comprising a chin rest or support engageable under the chin and strap means adapted to bear against the head at a location substantially opposite the chin, so as to urge the lower jaw towards the upper jaw.
The chin rest can be made of same material, or another than that of the strap means.
The strap means is preferably adjustable in length, and may be made of stretchable or elastic material, or alternatively formed of.two bands adjustable in length by fastening means such as metal or plastic clips, buckles or like. According to a simplified embodiment of the invention, the device is of unitary or even one-piece elastic or stretchable material construction. Such a device is easy to adjust on the head of the wearer or user. It is also inexpensive to manufacture.
Further features and advantages of the invention will be brought into evidence in the description which follow with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
+Brief Description of the Drawincfs Figure 1 is a side profile view of a person's head with the device in a first preliminary position in which one loop thereof is around the person's neck; Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 with the device in a second preliminary position with another loop thereof running from the chin to the top of the head; Figure 3 is a view similar to that of the preceding figures with the device in its operative position on the wearer's head; and Figure 4 illustrates a front view of another embodiment of the device in position on a wearer's body.
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