US4066077A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mouthpiece retainer tabs
Assignee: OCEAN REEF Inc
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Filing: 1976-11-01
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Granted: 1978-01-03
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Expires: 1996-11-01
Abstract
Abstract A mouthpiece for a snorkel, regulator or other underwater or above water breathing apparatus, having hollow retainer tabs made of pliable material so that the tabs readily collapse to comfortably conform to an approximate dental impression of the user.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph Barr Shamlian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:04
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C11/00; B63C11/02; B63C11/18; B63C11/20; B63C11/205; A; A62; A62B; A62B9/00; A62B9/06; B63C11/186
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
For use with a breathing apparatus, a mouthpiece comprising means defining a breathing tube having an end, flange means about said breathing tube end for insertion between the lips and the outer surfaces of the teeth of a user and a pair of teeth engageable collapsible tab means for insertion between essentially the molars of the user, said tab means being mounted on said flange means on either side of said breathing tube end, each of said tab means including means defining a central bore therein whereby upon engagement of said tab means by the teeth of a user, said tab means readily collapses and flattens to an approximate dental impression of the user, said each tab means being constructed of material having sufficient elastic memory to return to a substantially undeformed configuration after use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
For use with a breathing apparatus, a mouthpiece comprising means defining a breathing tube having an end, flange means about said breathing tube end for insertion between the lips and the outer surfaces of the teeth of a user and a pair of teeth engageable collapsible tab means for insertion between essentially the molars of the user, said tab means being mounted on said flange means on either side of said breathing tube end, each of said tab means including means defining a central bore therein whereby upon engagement of said tab means by the teeth of a user, said tab means readily collapses and flattens to an approximate dental impression of the user, said each tab means being constructed of material having sufficient elastic memory to return to a substantially undeformed configuration after use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The mouthpiece as claimed in claim 1 wherein said each tab means further includes an end opposite said flange means and a peripheral lip formed about said end which is adapted to engage the rearward edges of the molars when said tab means are engaged by the teeth of a user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mouthpiece as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flange means are formed in a curved configuration to approximate the curvature of the mouth of the user, each said central bore being open to the ambient atmosphere.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The mouthpiece as claimed in claim 1 further comprising, in combination, a snorkel tube attached to said breathing tube at an end opposite the mounting of said flange means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The mouthpiece as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flange means and said pair of tab means are formed as an integral, one-piece unit of pliable material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The mouthpiece as claimed in claim 5 wherein said material is neoprene.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-02 | 1981-07-04 | 1982-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-02 | 1985-07-04 | 1986-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-02 | 1989-07-04 | 1990-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |