US2627268A - Antisnoring device - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 3, 1953 L, pp c 2,627,268

ANTISNORING DEVICE Filed March 2, 1951 INVENTOR. Elsa L. LE /cH HTTOKNE Y Patented Feb. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to devices designed to be used by human beings for the prevention of mouth breathing and thus, when worn by a sleeping person, will eliminate snoring, avoid drying out of the mouth and will make sleeping easier.

It is the principal object of thi invention to provide a device of the above character from a single piece or plate of thin flexible sheet material, of plastic, or any similar material, which is so designed and shaped as to make it easily applicable to the mouth between teeth and lips; which has a novel configuration that best adapts it to its place of use without discomfort to the user, and which is formed with a peripheral bead that prevents its cutting into the mouth tissues.

More specifically stated, it is the principal object of my invention to provide a device of the above character comprising a thin flexible sheet of moistureproof material, molded to a novel form, that avoids discomfort to the user when it is Worn in the intended manner of use.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a view illustrating the position of application of the present device in the mouth of a user.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the device.

Fig. 3 is an edge view of the same.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 in Fig. 2.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The present device, which I will designate as a dam, comprises a single piece of thin, flexible and resilient sheet material, such as transparent plastic, Celluloid or metal, that is formed to a predetermined definite shape, or configuration, to best adapt it for its present intended use.

As best shown in Fig. 2, the piece of material, designated at H], as made for use by the average person, is from 3 /2 to 4 inches long and from 1% I to 1% inches wide. It is intended that the piece be molded of a suitable selected plastic, and that it be made in the oval form shown in Fig. 2. Also that it shall be molded with a rounded peripheral bead I2 entirely thereabout. This bead, as shown in enlarged cross-section in Fig. 4 is designed to prevent the edge of the piece cutting or causing injury to the mouth tissues against which it might engage. It also is integral with the body portion.

The sheet of material I0 is characterized in i the provision therein at its medial line and both at top and bottom edges, of rather deep formed recesses 13 and I4 to accommodate the projecting tissues that join lips and alveolar ridges. The

over-all length of the dam is about four times the width, that is, the distance across the medial portion. The recesses l3--I4 are about inch deep and the angle of convergence of their opposite side walls is rather wide. As seen in edge view the piece is substantially curved in order to best suit the shape of the mouth.

With the dam so constructed, it is used. by placing it in the mouth between the lips and alveolar ridges and lengthwise of the mouth and centered properly as seen in Fig. 1. It is to be understood that such devices will be made in various sizes to best suit the siz of the mouths of the persons using them. Thus, while the proportions of the devices may remain the same, in so far as length and width are concerned, the sizes may vary from 3 to 4 /2 inches long.

It is understood however that some changes in proportions could be made Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Devices of this character, worn in the manner shown and illustrated, eliminate mouth breathing and thus prevent snoring, discomfort and mouth dryness, also they have been found to be an aid to hearing by correcting some causes of deafness.

Various other advantages and benefits are possible.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to Secure by Letters Patent is:

A device of the character described comprising a molded dam of thin, flexible waterproof sheet plastic, said dam being imperforate and substantially of oval form to adapt it to be held between the lips and alveolar ridges, and formed centrally at top and lower edges with recesses that substantially reduce the width of the dam across the medial portion; said recesses having their edges REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,483,694 Stukey Feb. 12, 1924 2,178,128 Waite Oct. 31, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date France Sept. 1'7, 1909

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