US3916880A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for holding open the mouth
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-03-21
•
Granted: 1975-11-04
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Expires: 1995-03-21
Abstract
Abstract An improved device is disclosed for holding open a person''s mouth so as to facilitate medical or dental treatment. The improved device includes two shells which have a trough-shaped cross-section, which are designed to receive the patient''s lips and which are interconnected by a U-shaped stirrup that biases the shells outwardly, away from each other. The stirrup includes a centrally disposed, stud-shaped projection which displaces and retains the tongue. Two flanges are disposed at the ends of the stirrup and are curved outwardly so as to hold the patient''s cheeks away from the sides of his teeth. The stirrup and the flanges may accommodate means of sucking saliva and other liquids from the mouth cavity and means for illuminating the mouth cavity.
Inventors
- 👤 Wolfgang Schroer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:35
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/24; A61C; A61C17/00; A61C17/06; A61C17/10; A61C19/00; A61B1/06; A61B1/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
An improved device adapted for holding open a person''s mouth so as to facilitate medical and dental treatments, the improved device comprising: first and second arc-shaped shells, with each of the arc-shaped shells having a trough-shaped cross-section; a substantially U-shaped stirrup which includes a central web portion and first and second ends and which extend between and interconnects the first and second arc-shaped shells so that the arc-shaped shells are disposed at a distance from each other, the U-shaped stirrup also including means for elastically biasing the arc-shaped shells apart; First and second flanges disposed between the first and second ends of the U-shaped stirrup and the first and second arcshaped shells, respectively, the flanges being shaped so as to bulge sharply outwardly beyond the arc-shaped shells; and a stud-shaped projection extending from the center of the web portion of the stirrup, the projection being adapted to displace and retain the patient''s tongue.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
An improved device adapted for holding open a person''s mouth so as to facilitate medical and dental treatments, the improved device comprising: first and second arc-shaped shells, with each of the arc-shaped shells having a trough-shaped cross-section; a substantially U-shaped stirrup which includes a central web portion and first and second ends and which extend between and interconnects the first and second arc-shaped shells so that the arc-shaped shells are disposed at a distance from each other, the U-shaped stirrup also including means for elastically biasing the arc-shaped shells apart; First and second flanges disposed between the first and second ends of the U-shaped stirrup and the first and second arcshaped shells, respectively, the flanges being shaped so as to bulge sharply outwardly beyond the arc-shaped shells; and a stud-shaped projection extending from the center of the web portion of the stirrup, the projection being adapted to displace and retain the patient''s tongue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The improved device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the U-shaped stirrup is tubular and includes openings for sucking out liquid, whereby a liquid suction line may be disposed approximately in the center of at least one of the arc-shaped shells and may communicate with the interior of the U-shaped stirrup.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The improved device, according to claim 2, characterized in that the device includes, in the region of the center of the internal spaces of the arc-shaped shells, portions which provide points of connection for suction lines and for cold illuminating line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improved device, according to claim 3, characterized in that the device is made of a transparent plastic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improved device, according to claim 3, characterized in that additional connections for suction lines and cold illuminating lines are formed on the stud-shaped projection of the U-shaped stirrup.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2937445A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-03 | 1979-05-05 | 1979-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-03 | 1983-05-05 | 1983-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-03 | 1987-05-05 | 1987-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |