Offset Anatomical Mouthpiece

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to mouthpieces which are used in underwater breathing devices such as snorkels and regulators and to mouthpieces which are used in inhalators and gastric tubes for medical treatment.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The closest prior art known to applicant are U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,664,109, 4,466,434 and 4,136,689. Each patent shows a mouthpiece of the general type proposed by the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,109 shows a mouthpiece which is symmetrical on its upper and lower surfaces with bite lugs which are of constant thickness and width. U.S. Pat. No. 4,466,109 shows an asymmetrical mouthpiece with an offset between the upper and lower surfaces. Bite lugs are shown which are of constant thickness and width and which are connected to each other by a ledge which firms the offset between the upper and lower surfaces to form a place for the upper front teeth to rest. The ledge thus formed is about 40 mm in width.

The prior art does not provide a device which the jaw structure shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,466,434 is permitted to be in the normal mating bite position without continuing muscle tension. In particular the ball joint shown in FIG. 1 of the U.S. Pat. No. 4,466,434 is not kept in a normal rest position by any of the devices disclosed in the patents described above or by any other art known the applicant. In addition the prior art does not show an offset mouthpiece which is adaptable for both overbite and underbite conditions. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,466,434 device cannot be used with comfort in an underbite condition because of the ledge formed between the bite lugs.

The present invention teaches a device with an offset between upper and lower jaw combined with tapered bite lugs and a particular bite pane which can be used by persons who require a mouthpiece such as divers and medical patients which mouthpiece does not distort the normal rest position of the jaw bones and jaw muscles including but not limited to the ball joint assembly in the jaw. The present invention teaches a device which can be used with comfort by persons who have either an overbite or an underbite condition.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is view partially in section taken along the lines A--A shown in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are respectively top and rear views of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are top and front views of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a the view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 9 with the section lines B--B shown

FIG. 12 is a view taken along the section line B--B shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of one embodiment 10 of the present invention formed of a moldable resilient material in which a standard coupling 1 is formed on one end. Numeral 12 shows generally the curvature of the mouthpiece 10. As shown in FIG. 2 the coupling has an orifice 20 to permit the passage of a gas. On the other end of the U shaped body 6 which is formed into two legs, internal wings, 3, are formed in either side of the generally U shaped body on the inside thereof. Numeral 2 shows the upper surface (in the drawing) of wings 3. The wings have a taper as shown by the different thickness dimensions 30 and 40 which are different by about 2 mm (1-4 mm). The internal wing members range from 6 to 12 mm in width, 14 to 40 mm in length and 2 to 8 mm in thickness and may be formed of a material which will conform to the shape of the user's teeth.

FIG. 4 shows a side view partially in section in which the offset nature of the device is illustrated. A lip 4 is formed on what is shown in this drawing as the lower portion of the U shaped member. The width 50 of the lip ranges from about 1 to about 14 mm depending on the amount of overbite or underbite the user has. Because the lip only slightly exceeds the extent of the orifice 20 and does reach to the internal wings 3, the inventive device can be used by persons with either an overbite or underbite. The lip 4 reaches to the lower level of the wing 3 in a device oriented for use with an overbite. Naturally, if the device were oriented for use with an underbite the lip 50 would reach to the upper level of the wing 3. The curved portion 11 of the lip 50 reaches to the lower level of the wing 3 (in an overbite orientation). This structure is shown in detail in FIGS. 9 through 12. When the inventive mouthpiece is used in an underbite application, the curved portion 11 of the lip 4 reaches to the upper level of the wing 3.

While this structure is perhaps difficult to see in the drawings, it is well shown by the two models which were submitted with the parent application and which are still in the possession of the Patent Office. Those models and their structure are specifically incorporated by reference into this application. The lip 4 has a "U" shape with the vertical legs relatively short compared to the width of the bowl of the "U". This lip structure provides support from the incisors through to the bicuspids (eyeteeth).

FIGS. 5 and 6 show top and front view of a second embodiment of the present invention in which as stiffener 5 formed in the same general U shape is added to the body member 60 of the mouthpiece. The stiffener 5 may be formed of a rigid or slightly resilient material.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show top and front views of a third embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is substantially identical with the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 except that clips 7 are attached to the mouthpiece 10 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. A line or lanyard 8 may be attached to the clips. The outer edge of the U shaped structure has a rolled edge 6 formed thereon as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 to provide a convenient gripping surface for the clips 7. A channel or slot 9 may be formed in the upper or lower surface of the U shaped mouthpiece 10 to permit its removal without disconnecting any tubes which may be fitted for the user.

The present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments. However those skilled in the art understand that many changes and modifications of those embodiments are possible which are within the scope of the present invention.