Lip protector

Details Lip protector Lip protector

1999-10-21

2001-11-20

Brown, Michael A. (Department: 3764)

Surgery

Body protecting or restraining devices for patients or infants

Head or face protector

C128S859000, C084S453000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06318370

ABSTRACT:

The invention consists of a lip protector made in one piece, which has been manufactured from a relatively flexible thermoplastic material and configured as an arched body showing a protective outer surface which includes a portion of peripheral wall at the front and has a channel running under it for its fill length.
By means of the channel, the lip protector can be fitted to cover the crown of the lower dental arch of its user, for example that of a wind instrument player such as a clarinettist. The outer protective surface prevents direct contact between the dental crown and the fold of the lower lip of the instrumentalist, thus avoiding the erosion of the labial mucous membrane close to the fold which frequently occurs among these instrumentalists, due to the fact that the mouthpiece of the instrument rests on it and rubs against it.
The aim of the invention is to supply the market with a lip protector for wind instrument players or other users, designed in an efficient manner for the purpose of preventing the erosion of the mucous membrane of the lower lip which is habitually caused by the action of the mouthpiece of a wind instrument, for example a clarinet, due to its position against the teeth.
This aim can be achieved by means of the lip protector which is manufactured from a relatively flexible thermoplastic material and configured as an arched body consisting of a peripheral wall for holding and has a channel running under it for its fill length by which the protector is fitted over the lower dental arch of the player who uses it, the crown of which it covers, in order to prevent direct contact between the crown and the fold of his or her lower lip and consequently the eroding of the labial mucous membrane close to the fold which habitually occurs in wind instrument players with the supporting and rubbing of the mouthpiece of the instrument.
Observing the first figure, it can be appreciated that the lip protector is formed by an arched body (
1
), under the length of which runs a fitting channel (
2
) with section of inverted “U” shape, one aim of which is a front portion of peripheral holding wall (
3
) and the other is a rear portion of peripheral holding and supporting wall (
4
), the two portions of wall being substantially parallel to each other and converging together in an outer protective surface (
5
).
The simplified section offered in the second figure shows a human mouth (
6
), in which can be appreciated the lower and upper lips (
7
and
8
respectively), and close to them the lower and upper dental arches
9
and
10
respectively).
Close to the mouth (
6
) can be seen the end portion of a musical wind instrument (
11
) and its mouthpiece (
12
) between the lower lips (
7
) and upper lips (
8
), resting on the lower one. On the lower dental arch (
9
), covering its crown, can be seen the arched body (
1
).
The invention has been described according to the mode of realisation illustrated. It is obviously possible to modify details, for example, with regard to the precision of the arching, extension and degree, as required, or in the configuration, amplitude or extension of the outer protective surface, without going beyond the framework of the invention.
A preferred realisation of the invention suggests that the lip protector should be made by heat moulding of thermoplastic materials, and should be of a relatively flexible nature so as not to cause any damage in use.
In this realisation, the lip protector is an arched body, under the whole length of which runs a channel of inverted “U” shape for fitting the protector to the lower dental arch, bounded on the longer sides by a first portion of peripheral holding wall at the front and a second portion of wall for holding and supporting, at the rear, both walls being substantially parallel to each other, and converging together at the top in an outer protective surface which will keep the upper and lower dental arches separated.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4338928 (1982-07-01), Martin
patent: 5152300 (1992-10-01), Horst
patent: 5462067 (1995-10-01), Shapiro
patent: 5717993 (1998-02-01), Roberts

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