Abstract A device intended to be positioned in the oral cavity presenting a generally horizontal wall or flange which is bitten into by the teeth of both jaws when the wearer is subjected to emotional stress that generates the urge to grind or clench the teeth. This tension reliever takes two forms. One embodiment is designed for placement against the roof of the mouth and palate and inner surfaces of the teeth of the upper jaw, with the horizontal flange aforesaid extending outwardly and in engagement with the teeth cusps. The second embodiment is intended to be fitted over the teeth of the lower jaw. It is of U-shape corresponding to the arrangement of the lower teeth and is U-shaped in cross section, presenting inner and outer walls between which extends the horizontal wall aforesaid which is cut away over the lower incisors. Both embodiments are of a plastic, such as an acrylic, that is thermosetting and at body temperature has a firm body consistency with slight properties of flexibility and elasticity and which may be lined with a softer material such as ethyl vinyl acetate. Also, methods of forming the embodiments which begin with a standard blank produced by a manufacturer and include subsequent steps carried out by an individual to accurately fit the tension reliever to the mouth of that individual.
Inventors
👤 Gilbert E Mann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-04 06:44
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B71/00; A63B71/08; A63B71/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
In a tension reliever intended to be positioned in the oral cavity of the mouth of a person, said mouth presenting a lower set of teeth including incisors in the front central portion thereof, said tension reliever being intended for application to said lower set of teeth; a. a one piece integral wall structure of a plastic that is thermosetting and at body temperature has a firm body consistency with slight properties of flexibility and elasticity; b. said wall structure including a horizontal wall adapted to engage the teeth of said lower set; c. an inner wall integral with and depending from said horizontal wall, said inner wall adapted to engage inner surfaces of the teeth of said lower set when the tension reliever is in effective position; d. an outer wall integral with and depending from said horizontal wall, said outer wall adapted to engage outer surfaces of the teeth of said lower set when the tension reliever is in effective position, said outer wall being interrupted at the front central portion thereof to provide a space thereat; whereby said horizontal, inner and outer walls define a channel to receive the teeth of said lower set to maintain said tension reliever in effective position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
In a tension reliever intended to be positioned in the oral cavity of the mouth of a person, said mouth presenting a lower set of teeth including incisors in the front central portion thereof, said tension reliever being intended for application to said lower set of teeth; a. a one piece integral wall structure of a plastic that is thermosetting and at body temperature has a firm body consistency with slight properties of flexibility and elasticity; b. said wall structure including a horizontal wall adapted to engage the teeth of said lower set; c. an inner wall integral with and depending from said horizontal wall, said inner wall adapted to engage inner surfaces of the teeth of said lower set when the tension reliever is in effective position; d. an outer wall integral with and depending from said horizontal wall, said outer wall adapted to engage outer surfaces of the teeth of said lower set when the tension reliever is in effective position, said outer wall being interrupted at the front central portion thereof to provide a space thereat; whereby said horizontal, inner and outer walls define a channel to receive the teeth of said lower set to maintain said tension reliever in effective position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tension reliever of claim 1 in which the plastic is acrylic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The tension reliever of claim 2 in which the lower surface of the horizontal wall is lined by a layer of material which is softer than and has a melting point lower than that of said acrylic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tension reliever of claim 3 in which said layer of material is ethyl vinyl acetate.