The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 20, 2007
Filed:
Jul. 25, 2001
Charles D. Kownacki, Erie, PA (US);
Charles D. Kownacki, Erie, PA (US);
Dental Appliance Investors, Inc., Erie, PA (US);
Abstract
An oral appliance () includes first and second mouthpiece elements () each equipped with adjustable ribs () on an anterior portion () and ramp surfaces () on each of its posterior arms (). The ribs () slope upwardly, front to back at a steeper angle than the ramp surfaces. Preferably, the ribs () and the ramps () surfaces have maximum height which define a ratio in the range of between 2 and 2½ to mimic the differential in mouth opening between incisors and molars. The appliance has a plurality of laterally extending protrusions () that are engaged by elastic bands () to exert a force which simultaneously pulls the wear's mandible forward and biases the lower mouthpiece toward the upper mouthpiece. Adjustable ribs extend laterally to permit relative movement of the two mouthpiece elements to eliminate the buildup of tension in the wearer's jaw.