US5488947A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sleep aid device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1994-08-30
•
Granted: 1996-02-06
•
Expires: 2014-08-30
Abstract
Abstract A sleep aid device comprises a mouthpiece assembly with bit elements extending therefrom. An air assembly extends from the mouthpiece assembly and includes a humidification chamber therein. The humidification chamber comprises a plurality of cones therein for collecting moisture thereon and transfer to air streams passing therethrough. The humidified air diminishes parchment of the lips and throat. The bit elements preclude mouth closure during sleep so as to preclude the sensation of suffocation experienced upon mouth closure and also allows for user swallowing without the resulting discomfort to damaged nasal passages.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry Frankel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:03
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62B; A62B9/00; A62B9/003; A61; A61M; A61M16/00; A61M16/04; A61M16/0488; A61M16/049; A61M16/0493; A62B9/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
An inhalation aid device comprising: a mouthpiece comprising: a plate having a surface adapted to lie adjacent a front surface of upper and lower dental arches of a wearer; a poet extending from each of first and second lateral ends of said plate surface, said posts displacing the upper and lower dental arches of the wearer; a central aperture in said plate; an air treatment assembly extending from a surface of said plate and comprising: a housing having a first chamber at a first housing end, said first chamber in communication with said central aperture; a port at a free second end of said housing, said port longitudinally displaced from said first housing end and generally in line with said central aperture; a first channel within said housing, said first channel having a first end in communication with said first chamber and a second end presenting said port and generally in line with said central aperture and said port; a plurality of protuberances extending from an interior surface of said first channel, each protuberance presenting a free end adjacent an imaginary central axis longitudinally passing through said first channel, said protuberances spaced along a length of said first channel for, collecting moisture thereon from exhaled air of a wearer passing through said channel for transfer to inhaled air drawn through said port and said channel, the inhaled air discharged through said plate central aperture and between the displaced dental arches.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
240 words
An inhalation aid device comprising: a mouthpiece comprising: a plate having a surface adapted to lie adjacent a front surface of upper and lower dental arches of a wearer; a poet extending from each of first and second lateral ends of said plate surface, said posts displacing the upper and lower dental arches of the wearer; a central aperture in said plate; an air treatment assembly extending from a surface of said plate and comprising: a housing having a first chamber at a first housing end, said first chamber in communication with said central aperture; a port at a free second end of said housing, said port longitudinally displaced from said first housing end and generally in line with said central aperture; a first channel within said housing, said first channel having a first end in communication with said first chamber and a second end presenting said port and generally in line with said central aperture and said port; a plurality of protuberances extending from an interior surface of said first channel, each protuberance presenting a free end adjacent an imaginary central axis longitudinally passing through said first channel, said protuberances spaced along a length of said first channel for, collecting moisture thereon from exhaled air of a wearer passing through said channel for transfer to inhaled air drawn through said port and said channel, the inhaled air discharged through said plate central aperture and between the displaced dental arches.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said protuberances are in pairs opposite one another in said first channel, said free end of one protuberance being adjacent a free end of an opposed protuberance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein each pair of protuberances is radially offset from an adjacent pair of protuberances about the imaginary longitudinal axis extending through said first channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
The device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a second housing, said second housing including a second channel having first and second ports at opposed first and second ends with said protuberances in said second channel, said second housing configured for insertion within said first channel with said first port in communication with said first chamber and said second port adjacent said first channel port, said second channel configured for releasable insertion with said first channel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device as claimed in claim 4 further comprising stop means in said first channel for limiting the degree of insertion of said second housing in said first channel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said plurality of protuberances are in pairs extending from an interior Surface of said second channel, said pairs of protuberances longitudinally displaced along said second channel with a free end of each protuberance being adjacent a free end of said other protuberance in each pair.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device as claimed in claim 6 wherein each pair of said protuberances is radially offset from each other pair of protuberances about an imaginary longitudinal axis extending through said second channel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a flange at an end of each post, said flange bearing against an interior surface of the dental arches to maintain said plate adjacent the front surface of the upper and lower dental arches.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
148 words
An inhalation aid device comprising: a mouthpiece having an aperture in communication with an oral cavity of a wearer; an air treatment assembly comprising: a housing having a first chamber in communication with said mouthpiece aperture; a single unvalved port for air intake and discharge at a free end of said housing which freely communicates with said aperture; a channel extending between said first chamber and said port for providing an air flow path between said mouthpiece aperture and said port; a plurality of protuberances extending from a surface forming said channel and across said flow path, said protuberances presenting a free end for collecting moisture thereon from air exhaled by a wearer through said mouthpiece aperture and through said channel, the moisture available for transfer to inhaled air drawn through said port and into said channel, said air drawn through said first chamber and said mouthpiece aperture.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
148 words
An inhalation aid device comprising: a mouthpiece having an aperture in communication with an oral cavity of a wearer; an air treatment assembly comprising: a housing having a first chamber in communication with said mouthpiece aperture; a single unvalved port for air intake and discharge at a free end of said housing which freely communicates with said aperture; a channel extending between said first chamber and said port for providing an air flow path between said mouthpiece aperture and said port; a plurality of protuberances extending from a surface forming said channel and across said flow path, said protuberances presenting a free end for collecting moisture thereon from air exhaled by a wearer through said mouthpiece aperture and through said channel, the moisture available for transfer to inhaled air drawn through said port and into said channel, said air drawn through said first chamber and said mouthpiece aperture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device as claimed in claim 9 further comprising means extending from said plate for displacing the upper and lower dental arches of a wearer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said displacing means comprises at least one post extending from each side of said plate and between the dental arches.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device as claimed in claim 11 further comprising a lug at a free end of said post for bearing against the dental arches to maintain the plate in place.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
212 words
An inhalation aid device comprising: a mouthpiece comprising: a plate having a surface adapted to lie adjacent a front surface of upper and lower dental arches of a wearer; means extending from first and second lateral ends of said plate surface for displacing the upper and lower dental arches of the wearer; a central aperture in said plate for passage of inhaled and exhaled air therethrough, an air treatment housing extending from a surface of said plate and comprising: a first channel having a single unvalved port for air intake and discharge at an open distal end in communication with an outside ambient air and a proximal end in communication with said central aperture, said first channel freely communicating said port with said central aperture for presenting an air flow path between a wearer and the ambient air; a plurality of spaced-apart protuberances extending from a surface forming said first channel and across said air flow path whereby upon a wearer inhalation the ambient air is drawn through said air flow path for discharge through said mouthpiece aperture behind the displaced upper and lower dental arches and upon exhalation air is exhaled from a wearer in an opposed direction through said air flow path, the exhaled air depositing moisture on said protuberances.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
212 words
An inhalation aid device comprising: a mouthpiece comprising: a plate having a surface adapted to lie adjacent a front surface of upper and lower dental arches of a wearer; means extending from first and second lateral ends of said plate surface for displacing the upper and lower dental arches of the wearer; a central aperture in said plate for passage of inhaled and exhaled air therethrough, an air treatment housing extending from a surface of said plate and comprising: a first channel having a single unvalved port for air intake and discharge at an open distal end in communication with an outside ambient air and a proximal end in communication with said central aperture, said first channel freely communicating said port with said central aperture for presenting an air flow path between a wearer and the ambient air; a plurality of spaced-apart protuberances extending from a surface forming said first channel and across said air flow path whereby upon a wearer inhalation the ambient air is drawn through said air flow path for discharge through said mouthpiece aperture behind the displaced upper and lower dental arches and upon exhalation air is exhaled from a wearer in an opposed direction through said air flow path, the exhaled air depositing moisture on said protuberances.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device as claimed in claim 13 wherein said protuberances comprise: a shaft extending from an interior surface of said first channel and presenting a free end in said air flow path.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device as claimed in claim 14 further comprising a head at an end of each shaft having an enlarged configuration relative to the configuration of the adjacent shaft, said head presenting a surface for collecting the moisture thereon.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device as claimed in claim 13 wherein each protuberance is offset from an adjacent protuberance relative to an imaginary central longitudinal axis extending through said first channel.
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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) | 1999-02-05 | 1999-08-07 | 2000-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-02-05 | 2003-08-07 | 2004-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-02-05 | 2007-08-07 | 2008-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |