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US5467783A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for the reduction of snoring
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1994-12-06
•
Granted: 1995-11-21
•
Expires: 2014-12-06
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for intra-oral use including a framework having an upper curved platform and a lower curved platform, each of the platforms being defined by two walls extending from and separated by a floor, a material bonded to the upper and lower curved platform adapted to be molded in a shape suitable for relatively snugly receiving maxillary teeth of a user and for relatively loosely receiving mandibular teeth of the user when the user's mouth is closed in a normal, closing arch, and a cavity formed between the upper and lower platforms adapted to receive the tongue of the user.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas E. Meade
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 08:31
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F5/00; A61F5/56; A61F5/566
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
An apparatus for intra-oral use comprising: a framework having an upper platform and a lower platform, each of the platforms being defined by two walls extending from and separated by a floor, a rear one of the two walls defining the lower platform extending substantially perpendicular to the floor defining the lower platform, said upper and lower platforms being curved in an arch to conform to a user's mouth, a rear wall of said lower platform being disposed at an inner portion of the arch and extending substantially perpendicular to a plane that contains the arch; a material bonded to the upper and lower platform adapted to be molded in a shape suitable for relatively snugly receiving maxillary teeth of a user and for relatively loosely receiving mandibular teeth of the user when the user's mouth is closed in a normal closing arch; and a cavity formed between the upper and lower platforms adapted to receive the tongue of the user.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
161 words
An apparatus for intra-oral use comprising: a framework having an upper platform and a lower platform, each of the platforms being defined by two walls extending from and separated by a floor, a rear one of the two walls defining the lower platform extending substantially perpendicular to the floor defining the lower platform, said upper and lower platforms being curved in an arch to conform to a user's mouth, a rear wall of said lower platform being disposed at an inner portion of the arch and extending substantially perpendicular to a plane that contains the arch; a material bonded to the upper and lower platform adapted to be molded in a shape suitable for relatively snugly receiving maxillary teeth of a user and for relatively loosely receiving mandibular teeth of the user when the user's mouth is closed in a normal closing arch; and a cavity formed between the upper and lower platforms adapted to receive the tongue of the user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1, further comprising a channel disposed along an outer circumference of the framework formed at an intersection of an outer side of the front walls of each of the upper and lower platforms, the channel forming an air passage during use of the apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the framework is formed from a single piece of plastic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the framework is formed from a resilient semi-rigid polycarbonate resin thermoplastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus recited in claim 4, wherein the thermoplastic is Lexan™.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the material bonded to the upper and lower platforms is an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus recited in claim 6, wherein the material is Elvax™.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein a front one of the two walls defining the lower platform is shorter than the rear one of the two walls defining the lower platform.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein a rear one of the two walls defining the lower platform forms a stop such that the mandibular teeth are prevented from rearward movement during use.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein a front side of the apparatus between the upper and lower means is a solid wall which is impervious to air and the cavity in which the tongue is received is formed on a rear side of the solid wall.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-11-20 | 1999-05-22 | 1999-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-11-20 | 2003-05-22 | 2003-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-11-20 | 2007-05-22 | 2007-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |