AU2011204885A1

AU2011204885A1 - Mouthguard having breathing cavities and breathing holes incorporated into the body of the mouthguard

Info

Publication number: AU2011204885A1
Application number: AU2011204885A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jonathan Hirshberg
Original assignee: JR286 TECHNOLOGIES Inc
Current assignee: JR286 TECHNOLOGIES Inc
Priority date: 2010-07-23
Filing date: 2011-07-20
Publication date: 2012-02-09
Also published as: CA2747139C; ZA201105424B; US20120017922A1; CN102343149A; CA2747139A1; EP2409737A1; JP2012024581A

Abstract

MOUTHGUARD HAVING BREATHING CAVITIES AND BREATHING HOLES INCORPORATED INTO THE BODY OF THE Abstract 5 The present invention is an improved mouthguard (100) which has incorporated into it at least one and preferably a multiplicity of breathing holes which extend through an exterior sidewall (120), an interior sidewall (130) and/or through a bottom transverse wall (112) in the body (122) of the mouthguard (100). The mouthguard (100) can also have incorporated into it at least one and preferably a multiplicity of breathing cavities 1o (10) extending from an upper surface (124) of an exterior (120) and/or interior sidewall (130) into a portion of the sidewall (150) to form one or more air passages. 28A16A '18C 2A28B 90 16B38 -38B 24B38A--- 34A

Description

S&F Ref: P005470 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address JR286 Technologies, Inc., of 4000 Redondo Beach of Applicant: Avenue, Suite 101, Redondo Beach, California, 90278, United States of America Actual Inventor(s): Jonathan Hirshberg Address for Service: Spruson & Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 35 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Invention Title: Mouthguard having breathing cavities and breathing holes incorporated into the body of the mouthguard The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5845c(546071 0_1) 1 MOUTHGUARD HAVING BREATHING CAVITIES AND BREATHING HOLES INCORPORATED INTO THE BODY OF THE MOUTHGUARD Background of the Invention 5 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of mouthguards which are used by athletes during a sporting event to help protect the athlete's teeth. 2. Description of the Prior Art In general, various configurations for mouthguards are known in the prior art. 10 However, one problem with all mouthguards is that the athlete is not able to breathe through his/her mouth while the mouthguard is in place in the athlete's mouth. As a result, the athlete has to remove the mouthguard periodically, such as between plays in a football game, in order to breathe through the athlete's mouth. The present inventor has conceived of the invention of having a protruding is section extending from the front of the mouthguard and extending out of the wearer's mouth so that the protruding section extends beyond the wearer's lips. The protruding section is in fluid communication with the body of the mouthguard so that the wearer can breath outside air while the mouthguard is retained in the wearer's mouth. This invention is presented in co-pending Application Serial No. 11/824,872 filed on July 2, 2007. 20 The following three patents discuss a mouthguard with breathing holes or other apparatus worn between teeth: United States Patent 7,422,107 to Bancroft for "Mouthguard"; United States Patent 3,768,465 to Helmer for "Athletic Mouth Protector Apparatus", and United States Patent 5,611,355 to Hilsen for "Snoring And Sleep Apnea Device". None of them have 25 breathing holes in the body of the mouthguard. There is a significant need for an improved mouthguard which enables an athlete to breathe through his/her mouth while wearing the mouthguard in the athlete's mouth. Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or ameliorate 30 one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least provide a useful alternative.

2 Summary of the Invention The present invention in at least a preferred embodiment is an improved mouthguard which has incorporated into it at least one and preferably a multiplicity of breathing holes which extend through a portion of the body of the mouthguard. 5 The mouthguard for protecting a wearer's upper row of teeth, the mouthguard is comprised of a teeth protecting section including a first upper teeth tray section having a first transverse wall of a given thickness extending from an interior surface to an exterior surface, a first exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a given transverse thickness, and a first 10 interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a given transverse thickness, a second teeth tray section having a second transverse wall of a given thickness extending from an interior surface to an exterior surface, a second exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the second transverse wall and terminating in top surface and having a given is transverse thickness, and a second interior wall having a body and extending upwardly from the second transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a given transverse thickness, and a middle teeth tray section having a middle transverse wall of a given thickness extending from an interior surface to an exterior surface, a middle exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall and terminating 20 in a top surface and having a given transverse thickness, and a middle interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a given transverse thickness, the three transverse walls aligned, the three exterior walls aligned and the three interior walls aligned so that when the upper row of teeth are placed in the mouthguard, the upper row of teeth rest on the three aligned 25 transverse walls and are protected by the three aligned exterior walls adjacent an exterior surface of the upper row of teeth and by the three aligned interior walls adjacent an interior surface of the upper row of teeth, the three aligned interior walls surrounding a central area of the mouthguard which leads to a wearer's throat. The innovation of the present invention is to incorporate breathing openings into 30 the body of the mouthguard. One innovation is to incorporate at least one breathing cavity in the first exterior wall of the first teeth tray section extending from the top surface into the body of the first exterior wall and extending through the transverse thickness of the first exterior wall and 3 at least one breathing cavity in the second exterior wall of the second teeth tray section extending from the top surface into the body of the second exterior wall and extending through the transverse thickness of the second exterior wall so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth through the breathing 5 cavities and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. In addition, this innovation further comprises at least one breathing cavity in the exterior middle wall of the middle teeth tray section extending from the top surface into the body of the middle exterior wall and extending through the transverse thickness of the 10 middle exterior wall so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth through the breathing cavity in the exterior middle wall and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. The innovation also comprises incorporating at least one breathing cavity in the first interior wall of the first teeth tray section extending from the top surface into the is body of the first interior wall and extending through the transverse thickness of the first interior wall and at least one breathing cavity in the second interior wall of the second teeth tray section extending from the top surface into the body of the second interior wall and extending through the transverse thickness of the second interior wall so that an air passage is formed through the breathing cavities and into the center area of the 20 mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. This innovation further comprises incorporating at least one breathing cavity in the interior middle wall of the middle teeth tray section extending from the top surface into the body of the middle interior wall and extending through the transverse thickness of the middle interior wall so that an air passage is formed in the wearer's mouth through the 25 breathing cavity in the interior middle wall and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. The invention also comprises incorporating a multiplicity of breathing holes in the first exterior wall of the first teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the first exterior wall and a multiplicity of breathing holes in the second 30 exterior wall of the second teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the second exterior wall so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the first and second 4 exterior walls and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. This innovation also includes incorporating a multiplicity of breathing holes in the exterior middle wall of the middle teeth tray section extending through the transverse 5 thickness of the middle exterior wall so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the middle exterior wall and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. The innovation also comprises incorporating a multiplicity of breathing holes in 10 the first interior wall of the first teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the first interior wall and a multiplicity of breathing holes in the second interior wall of the second teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the second interior wall so that an air passage is formed through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the first and second interior walls and into the center area of the is mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. This innovation also comprises incorporating a multiplicity of breathing holes in the interior middle wall of the middle teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the middle interior wall so that an air passage is formed through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the middle interior wall and into the center area of the 20 mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. The invention also comprises incorporating a multiplicity of breathing holes the first transverse wall of the first teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the first transverse wall and a multiplicity of breathing holes in the second transverse wall of the second teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness 25 of the second transverse wall so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the first and second transverse walls and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. More broadly, the present invention comprises incorporating a multiplicity of 30 breathing holes in at least the first transverse wall of the first teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the first transverse wall or in the second transverse wall of the second teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the second transverse wall so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard in 5 the wearer's mouth through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the first or second transverse walls and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. Further novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the 5 following detailed description, discussion and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated: 10 FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention mouthguard having breathing cavities and breathing openings incorporated therein. The invention can include at least one or a multiplicity of breathing cavities and at least one or a multiplicity of breathing openings; FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present is invention mouthguard having breathing cavities and breathing openings incorporated therein; FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention mouthguard having breathing cavities and breathing openings incorporated therein; 20 FIG. 4A is a side elevational view when viewed from the left side of the preferred embodiment of the present invention mouthguard having breathing cavities and breathing openings incorporated therein; FIG. 4B is a side elevational view when viewed from the right side of the preferred embodiment of the present invention mouthguard having breathing cavities and 25 breathing openings incorporated therein; FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention mouthguard having breathing cavities and breathing openings incorporated therein; FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention mouthguard having breathing cavities and breathing openings incorporated 30 therein; and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along Line 7-7 of FIG. 5; FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along Line 8-8 of FIG. 5; 6 FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along Line 9-9 of FIG. 5; and FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the mouthguard worn in a person's mouth with the person's teeth shown in dotted lines in the mouthguard. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments 5 Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way 'of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which 10 the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims. Referring to Figures 1 to 9, there is illustrated at 100 the mouthguard for protecting a wearer's upper row of teeth, which mouthguard is comprised of a teeth protecting section including a first upper teeth tray section 1 10 having a first transverse is wall 112 of a given thickness Tl extending from an interior surface 114 to an exterior surface 116, a first exterior wall 120 having a body 122 extending upwardly from the first transverse wall 112 and terminating in a top surface 124 and having a given transverse thickness T2, and a first interior wall 130 having a body 132 extending upwardly from the first transverse wall 112 and terminating in a top surface 134 and having a given 20 transverse thickness T3, a second teeth tray section 140 having a second transverse wall 142 of a given thickness T4 extending from an interior surface 144 to an exterior surface 146, a second exterior wall 150 having a body 152 extending upwardly from the second transverse wall 142 and terminating in top surface 154 and having a given transverse thickness T5, and a second interior wall 160 having a body 162 and extending upwardly 25 from the second transverse wall 142 and terminating in a top surface 164 and having a given transverse thickness T6, and a middle teeth tray section 170 having a middle transverse wall 172 of a given thickness T7 extending from an interior surface 174 to an exterior surface 176, a middle exterior wall 180 having a body 182 extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall 172 and terminating in a top surface 84 and having a 30 given transverse thickness T8, and a middle interior wall 190 having a body 192 extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall 172 and terminating in a top surface 194 and having a given transverse thickness T9, the three transverse walls 112, 142 and 7 172 aligned, the three exterior walls 120, 150 and 180 aligned and the three interior walls 130, 160 and 190 aligned so that when a wearer 300 has the wearer's upper row of teeth 200 placed in the mouthguard 100, the upper row of teeth 200 rest on the three aligned transverse walls 112, 142 and 172 and are protected by the three aligned exterior walls 5 120, 1 50 and 180 adjacent an exterior surface 210 of the upper row of teeth 200 and by the three aligned interior walls 130, 160 and 190 adjacent an interior surface 220 of the upper row of teeth 200, the three aligned interior walls 130, 160 and 190 surrounding a central area 90 of the mouthguard 100 which leads to a wearer's throat when the mouthguard is in the wearer's mouth. 10 The innovation of the present invention is to incorporate breathing openings into the body of the mouthguard. One innovation is to incorporate at least one breathing cavity 10 in the first exterior wall 120 of the first teeth tray section 110 extending from the top surface 124 into the body 122 of the first exterior wall 120 and extending through the transverse thickness is T2 of the first exterior wall 120 and at least one breathing cavity 20 in the second exterior wall 150 of the second teeth tray section 140 extending from the top surface 154 into the body 152 of the second exterior wall 150 and extending through the transverse thickness T5 of the second exterior wall 150 so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard 100 in the wearer's mouth through the breathing cavities 10 and 20 and into 20 the center area 90 of the mouthguard 100 so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. While at least one breathing cavity 10 and 20 are illustrated in the first and second exterior walls, it will be appreciated that it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention to have any multiplicity of breathing cavities in the first exterior wall 120 and in the second exterior wall 150. Each breathing cavity 10 and/or 20 can be generally AV@ shaped or 25 AU@ shaped or any other desired shape to enable air to go from a location in the wearer's mouth into the central area 90 of the mouthguard 100 so that air can pass to the wearer's throat. In addition, this innovation further comprises at least one breathing cavity 30 in the exterior middle wall 180 of the middle teeth tray section 170 extending from the top 30 surface 184 into the body 182 of the middle exterior wall 180 and extending through the transverse thickness T8 of the middle exterior wall 180 so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard 100 in the wearer's mouth through the breathing cavity 30 in the exterior middle wall 180 and into the center area 90 of the mouthguard 100 so that 8 air can pass to a wearer's throat. While at least one breathing cavity 30 is illustrated in the middle exterior wall 180, it will be appreciated that it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention to have any multiplicity of breathing cavities in the middle exterior wall 180. s Each breathing cavity 30 can be generally AV@ shaped or AU@ shaped or any other desired shape to enable air to go from a location in the wearer's mouth into the central area 90 of the mouthguard 100 so that air can pass to the wearer's throat. The innovation also comprises incorporating at least one breathing cavity 12 in the first interior wall 130 of the first teeth tray section 110 extending from the top surface to 134 into the body 132 of the first interior wall 130 and extending through the transverse thickness T3 of the first interior wall 130 and at least one breathing cavity 22 in the second interior wall 160 of the second teeth tray section 140 extending from the top surface 164 into the body 162 of the second interior wall 160 and extending through the transverse thickness T6 of the second interior wall 160 so that an air passage is formed is through the breathing cavities and into the center area 90 of the mouthguard 100 so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. While at least one breathing cavity 12 and 22 are illustrated in the first and second interior walls, it will be appreciated that it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention to have any multiplicity of breathing cavities in the first interior wall 130 and in the second interior wall 160. Each breathing cavity 12 20 and/or 22 can be generally AV@ shaped or AU@ shaped or any other desired shape to enable air to go from a location in the wearer's mouth into the central area 90 of the mouthguard 100 so that air can pass to the wearer's throat. This innovation further comprises incorporating at least one breathing cavity 32 in the interior middle wall 190 of the middle teeth tray section 170 extending from the top 25 surface 194 into the body 192 of the middle interior wall 190 and extending through the transverse thickness T9 of the middle interior wall 190 so that an air passage is formed in the wearer's mouth through the breathing cavity 32 in the interior middle wall 190 and into the center area 90 of the mouthguard 100 so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. While at least one breathing cavity 32 is illustrated in the middle interior wall 190, it will 30 be appreciated that it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention to have any multiplicity of breathing cavities in the middle interior wall 190. Each breathing cavity 32 can be generally AV@ shaped or AU@ shaped or any other desired shape to enable air to go 9 from a location in the wearer's mouth into the central area 90 of the mouthguard 100 so that air can pass to the wearer's throat. The invention also comprises incorporating at least one and preferably a multiplicity of breathing holes 14A, 14B and 14C in the first exterior wall 120 of the first 5 teeth tray section 110 extending through the transverse thickness T2 of the first exterior wall 120 and at least one and preferably a multiplicity of breathing holes 24A, 24B and 24C in the second exterior wall 150 of the second teeth tray section 140 extending through the transverse thickness T5 of the second exterior wall 150 so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard 100 in the wearer's mouth through the io multiplicity of breathing holes in the first and second exterior walls 120 and 150 and into the center area 90 of the mouthguard 100 so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. The breathing holes can be circular, oval, or any other desired shape. This innovation also includes incorporating at least one and preferably a multiplicity of breathing holes 34A, 34B and 34C in the exterior middle wall 180 of the is middle teeth tray section 170 extending through the transverse thickness T8 of the middle exterior wall 180 so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard 100 in the wearer's mouth through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the middle exterior wall 180 and into the center area 90 of the mouthguard 100 so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. The breathing holes can be circular, oval, or any other desired shape. 20 The innovation also comprises incorporating at least one and preferably a multiplicity of breathing holes 16A, 16B and 16C in the first interior wall 130 of the first teeth tray section 1 10 extending through the transverse thickness T3 of the first interior wall 130 and at least one and preferably a multiplicity of breathing holes 26A, 26B and 26C in the second interior wall 160 of the second teeth tray section 140 extending through 25 the transverse thickness T6 of the second interior wall 160 so that an air passage is formed through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the first and second interior walls 130 an 160 and into the center area 90 of the mouthguard 100 so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. The breathing holes can be circular, oval, or any other desired shape. This innovation also comprises incorporating at least one and preferably a 30 multiplicity of breathing holes 36A, 36B and 36C in the interior middle wall 190 of the middle teeth tray section 170 extending through the transverse thickness T9 of the middle interior wall 190 so that an air passage is formed through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the middle interior wall 190 and into the center area 90 of the mouthguard 100 so 10 that air can pass to a wearer's throat. The breathing holes can be circular, oval, or any other desired shape. This innovation also comprises incorporating at least one and preferably a multiplicity of breathing holes 18A, 18B and 18C in the first transverse wall 112 of the s first teeth tray section 110 extending through the transverse thickness TI of the first transverse wall 112 and at least one and preferably a multiplicity of breathing holes 28A, 28B and 28C in the second transverse wall 142 of the second teeth tray section 140 extending through the transverse thickness T4 of the second transverse wall 142 so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard 100 and in the wearer's mouth and !0 through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the first and second transverse walls 112 and 142. The breathing holes can be circular, oval, or any other desired shape. This innovation also comprises incorporating at least one and preferably a multiplicity of breathing holes 38A, 38B and 38C in the middle transverse wall 172 of the middle teeth tray section 170 extending through the transverse thickness T7 of the middle is transverse wall 172 so that an air passage is formed through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the middle transverse wall 172. The breathing holes can be circular, oval, or any other desired shape. While in the above description, the openings have been described a breathing holes, the openings can also be considered to be breathing openings. Therefore, all of the 20 openings identified as breathing holes 14A, 14B, 14C, 18A, 18B, 18C, 16A, 16B, 16C, 24A, 24B, 24C, 28A, 28B, 28C, 26A, 26B, 26C, 34A, 34B, 34C, 38A, 38B, 38C, 36A, 36B and 36C can also be described as breathing openings or air passage means. The innovation of the present invention is the incorporation of breathing cavities or breathing holes into various locations of the body of the mouthguard 100 so that the 25 wearer can breath through the breathing cavities or breathing hole openings. Even through the mouthguard is retained in the mouth and between the wearer's teeth, the breathing cavities and/or breathing openings at various locations in the body of the mouthguard still enable the wearer to breath air and permit the mouthguard to be retained in the mouthguard and not have to be removed between plays during a game. 30 The present invention incorporates having any desired combination of breathing cavities and breathing holes in any of the exterior sidewalls, interior sidewalls and bottom transverse walls of the mouthguard. It will be appreciated that some mouthguards may not have an interior wall but just an exterior wall and a transverse lower wall. The 11 concept of breathing cavities and breathing openings at any location of any portion of the mouthguard body is within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The present invention provides significant advantages over prior art mouthguards which do not have breathing holes incorporated therein. By way of example, during a 5 football game, after each play is over, the player must remove the mouthguard in order to breathe through his mouth. In some designs the mouthguard is attached to a helmet which can create problems if the helmet is knocked off. In other designs where the mouthguard is loose, the player either has to hold the mouthguard in his hand or place it his helmet. Either way, the practice is unsanitary and germs can then be transmitted to the player's 10 mouth when the player reinserts the mouthguard in his mouth. Through the incorporation of breathing holes, the player can continue to retain the mouthguard in his mouth after the play is over. The ability to breathe through the player's mouth also improves the player's performance during the athletic event. The present invention mouthguard can be molded out of a single piece of strong is material such as rubber, resin, polyvinyl chloride, or various synthetic plastic compounds. Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which the 20 apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied or operated.

Claims

1. A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's upper row of teeth, the mouthguard comprising: a. a teeth protecting section including a first upper teeth tray section 5 having a first transverse wall, a first exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a first interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the first transverse wall to an 10 interior side, a second teeth tray section having a second transverse wall, a second exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the second transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a second interior wall having a body and extending upwardly from the second transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness is extending from a side facing the second transverse wall to an interior side, and a middle teeth tray section having a middle transverse wall, a middle exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a middle interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall 20 and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the middle exterior wall to an interior side, the three transverse walls aligned, the three exterior walls aligned and the three interior walls aligned so that when the upper row of teeth are placed in the mouthguard, the upper row of teeth rest on the three aligned transverse walls and are protected by the three aligned exterior walls adjacent an exterior 25 surface of the upper row of teeth and by the three aligned interior walls adjacent an interior surface of the upper row of teeth, the three aligned interior walls surrounding a central area of the mouthguard which leads to a wearer's throat; b. at least one breathing cavity in the first exterior wall of the first teeth tray section extending from the top surface into the body of the first exterior wall and 30 extending through the transverse thickness of the first exterior wall and at least one breathing cavity in the second exterior wall of the second teeth tray section extending from the top surface into the body of the second exterior wall and extending through the transverse thickness of the second exterior wall so that an air passage is formed from 13 outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth through the breathing cavities and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat.

2. The mouthguard in accordance with Claim I further comprising: at least one breathing cavity in the exterior middle wall of the middle teeth tray 5 section extending from the top surface into the body of the middle exterior wall and extending through the transverse thickness of the middle exterior wall so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth through the breathing cavity in the exterior middle wall and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. 10

3. A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's upper row of teeth, the mouthguard comprising: a. a teeth protecting section including a first upper teeth tray section having a first transverse wall, a first exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness 15 extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a first interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the first transverse wall to an interior side, a second teeth tray section having a second transverse wall, a second exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the second transverse wall and terminating 20 in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a second interior wall having a body and extending upwardly from the second transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the second transverse wall to an interior side, and a middle teeth tray section having a middle transverse wall, a middle exterior wall having a body 25 extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a middle interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the middle exterior wall to an interior side, the three transverse walls aligned, the 30 three exterior walls aligned and the three interior walls aligned so that when the upper row of teeth are placed in the mouthguard, the upper row of teeth rest on the three aligned transverse walls and are protected by the three aligned exterior walls adjacent an exterior 14 surface of the upper row of teeth and by the three aligned interior walls adjacent an interior surface of the upper row of teeth, the three aligned interior walls surrounding a central area of the mouthguard which leads to a wearer's throat; b. at least one breathing cavity in the first interior wall of the first teeth tray 5 section extending from the top surface into the body of the first interior wall and extending through the transverse thickness of the first interior wall and at least one breathing cavity in the second interior wall of the second teeth tray section extending from the top surface into the body of the second interior wall and extending through the transverse thickness of the second interior wall so that an air passage is formed through 10 the breathing cavities and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat.

4. The mouthguard in accordance with Claim 3 further comprising: at least one breathing cavity in the interior middle wall of the middle teeth tray section extending from the top surface into the body of the middle interior wall and is extending through the transverse thickness of the middle interior wall so that an air passage is formed in the wearer's mouth through the breathing cavity in the interior middle wall and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat.

5. A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's upper row of teeth, the 20 mouthguard comprising: a. a teeth protecting section including a first upper teeth tray section having a first transverse wall, a first exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a first interior wall having a body 25 extending upwardly from the first transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the first transverse wall to an interior side, a second teeth tray section having a second transverse wall, a second exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the second transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an 30 interior side, and a second interior wall having a body and extending upwardly from the second transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the second transverse wall to an interior side, and a middle 15 teeth tray section having a middle transverse wall, a middle exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a middle interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall 5 and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the middle exterior wall to an interior side, the three transverse walls aligned, the three exterior walls aligned and the three interior walls aligned so that when the upper row of teeth are placed in the mouthguard, the upper row of teeth rest on the three aligned transverse walls and are protected by the three aligned exterior walls adjacent an exterior 10 surface of the upper row of teeth and by the three aligned interior walls adjacent an interior surface of the upper row of teeth, the three aligned interior walls surrounding a central area of the mouthguard which leads to a wearer's throat; b. a multiplicity of breathing holes in the first exterior wall of the first teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the first exterior wall and is a multiplicity of breathing holes in the second exterior wall of the second teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the second exterior wall so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the first and second exterior walls and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. 20

6. The mouthguard in accordance with Claim 5 further comprising: a multiplicity of breathing holes in the exterior middle wall of the middle teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the middle exterior wall so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the middle exterior wall and into the center area of 25 the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat.

7. A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's upper row of teeth, the mouthguard comprising: a. a teeth protecting section including a first upper teeth tray section having a first transverse wall, a first exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from 30 the first transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a first interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and 16 having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the first transverse wall to an interior side, a second teeth tray section having a second transverse wall, a second exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the second transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an s interior side, and a second interior wall having a body and extending upwardly from the second transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the second transverse wall to an interior side, and a middle teeth tray section having a middle transverse wall, a middle exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and 10 having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a middle interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the middle exterior wall to an interior side, the three transverse walls aligned, the three exterior walls aligned and the three interior walls aligned so that when the upper row is of teeth are placed in the mouthguard, the upper row of teeth rest on the three aligned transverse walls and are protected by the three aligned exterior walls adjacent an exterior surface of the upper row of teeth and by the three aligned interior walls adjacent an interior surface of the upper row of teeth, the three aligned interior walls surrounding a central area of the mouthguard which leads to a wearer's throat; 20 b. a multiplicity of breathing holes in the first interior wall of the first teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the first interior wall and a multiplicity of breathing holes in the second interior wall of the second teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the second interior wall so that an air passage is formed through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the first and second 25 interior walls and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat.

8. The mouthguard in accordance with Claim 7 further comprising: a multiplicity of breathing holes in the interior middle wall of the middle teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the middle interior wall so that 30 an air passage is formed through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the middle interior wall and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. 17

9. A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's upper row of teeth, the mouthguard comprising: a. a teeth protecting section including a first upper teeth tray section having a first transverse wall of a given thickness extending from an interior surface to an 5 exterior surface, a first exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall, and a first interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall, a second teeth tray section having a second transverse wall of a given thickness extending from an interior surface to an exterior surface, a second exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the second transverse wall, and a second interior 10 wall having a body and extending upwardly from the second transverse wall, and a middle teeth tray section having a middle transverse wall of a given thickness extending from an interior surface to an exterior surface, a middle exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall, and a middle interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall, the three transverse walls aligned, is the three exterior walls aligned and the three interior walls aligned so that when the upper row of teeth are placed in the mouthguard, the upper row of teeth rest on the three aligned transverse walls and are protected by the three aligned exterior walls adjacent an exterior surface of the upper row of teeth and by the three aligned interior walls adjacent an interior surface of the upper row of teeth, the three aligned interior walls surrounding a 20 central area of the mouthguard which leads to a wearer's throat; b. a multiplicity of breathing holes in the first transverse wall of the first teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the first transverse wall and a multiplicity of breathing holes in the second transverse wall of the second teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the second transverse wall so that an 25 air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the first and second transverse walls and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat.

10. The mouthguard in accordance with Claim 9 further comprising: a multiplicity of breathing holes in the transverse middle wall of the middle teeth 30 tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the middle transverse wall so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth 18 through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the middle transverse wall and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat.

11. A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's upper row of teeth, the mouthguard comprising: 5 a. a teeth protecting section including a first upper teeth tray section having a first transverse wall, a first exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a first interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and 1o having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the first transverse wall to an interior side, a second teeth tray section having a second transverse wall, a second exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the second transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a second interior wall having a body and extending upwardly from the 15 second transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the second transverse wall to an interior side, and a middle teeth tray section having a middle transverse wall, a middle exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a 20 middle interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the middle exterior wall to an interior side, the three transverse walls aligned, the three exterior walls aligned and the three interior walls aligned so that when the upper row of teeth are placed in the mouthguard, the upper row of teeth rest on the three aligned 25 transverse walls and are protected by the three aligned exterior walls adjacent an exterior surface of the upper row of teeth and by the three aligned interior walls adjacent an interior surface of the upper row of teeth, the three aligned interior walls surrounding a central area of the mouthguard which leads to a wearer's throat; b. at least one breathing cavity in at least one first exterior wall of either 30 the first teeth tray section extending from the top surface into the body of the first exterior wall and extending through the transverse thickness of the first exterior wall or the second exterior wall of the second teeth tray section extending from the top surface into the body 19 of the second exterior wall and extending through the transverse thickness of the second exterior wall so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth through the at least one breathing cavity and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. 5

12. A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's upper row of teeth, the mouthguard comprising: a. a teeth protecting section including a first upper teeth tray section having a first transverse wall, a first exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness 10 extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a first interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall, a second teeth tray section having a second transverse wall, a second exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the second transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a second interior wall having a is body and extending upwardly from the second transverse wall, and a middle teeth tray section having a middle transverse wall, a middle exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a middle interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall, the three 20 transverse walls aligned, the three exterior walls aligned and the three interior walls aligned so that when the upper row of teeth are placed in the mouthguard, the upper row of teeth rest on the three aligned transverse walls and are protected by the three aligned exterior walls adjacent an exterior surface of the upper row of teeth and by the three aligned interior walls adjacent an interior surface of the upper row of teeth, the three 25 aligned interior walls surrounding a central area of the mouthguard which leads to a wearer's throat; and b. a multiplicity of breathing holes extending through the thickness of at least one exterior wall of either the first teeth tray section or the second teeth tray section so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth 30 through the breathing holes and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. 20

13. A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's upper row of teeth, the mouthguard comprising: a. a teeth protecting section including a first upper teeth tray section having a first transverse wall of a given thickness extending from an interior surface to an 5 exterior surface, a first exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall, and a first interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall, a second teeth tray section having a second transverse wall of a given thickness extending from an interior surface to an exterior surface, a second exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the second transverse wall, and a second interior 1o wall having a body and extending upwardly from the second transverse wall, and a middle teeth tray section having a middle transverse wall of a given thickness extending from an interior surface to an exterior surface, a middle exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall, and a middle interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall, the three transverse walls aligned, is the three exterior walls aligned and the three interior walls aligned so that when the upper row of teeth are placed in the mouthguard, the upper row of teeth rest on the three aligned transverse walls and are protected by the three aligned exterior walls adjacent an exterior surface of the upper row of teeth and by the three aligned interior walls adjacent an interior surface of the upper row of teeth, the three aligned interior walls surrounding a 20 central area of the mouthguard which leads to a wearer's throat; b. a multiplicity of breathing holes in at least the first transverse wall of the first teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the first transverse wall or in the second transverse wall of the second teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the second transverse wall so that an air passage is formed 25 from outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the first or second transverse walls and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat.

14. A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's upper row of teeth, the mouthguard comprising: 30 a. a teeth protecting section including a first upper teeth tray section having a first transverse wall of a given thickness extending from an interior surface to an exterior surface, a first exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first 21 transverse wall, and a first interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall, a second teeth tray section having a second transverse wall of a given thickness extending from an interior surface to an exterior surface, a second exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the second transverse wall, and a second interior 5 wall having a body and extending upwardly from the second transverse wall, and a middle teeth tray section having a middle transverse wall of a given thickness extending from an interior surface to an exterior surface, a middle exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall, and a middle interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall, the three transverse walls aligned, io the three exterior walls aligned and the three interior walls aligned so that when the upper row of teeth are placed in the mouthguard, the upper row of teeth rest on the three aligned transverse walls and are protected by the three aligned exterior walls adjacent an exterior surface of the upper row of teeth and by the three aligned interior walls adjacent an interior surface of the upper row of teeth, the three aligned interior walls surrounding a is central area of the mouthguard which leads to a wearer's throat; b. a multiplicity of breathing holes in the middle transverse wall of the middle teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the middle transverse wall so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the middle transverse wall 20 and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat.

15. A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's teeth, the mouthguard comprising: a. a body into which teeth are inserted to protect the teeth; and b. a multiplicity of spaced apart breathing cavities in the body, each of 25 which extends from an upper surface of the body into a portion of a sidewall of the body so that air passages are formed so that air can pass from locations in the wearer's mouth to a wearer's throat.

16. A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's teeth, the mouthguard comprising: 30 a. a body into which teeth are inserted to protect the teeth; and 22 b. at least one breathing cavity in the body which extends from an upper surface of the body into a portion of a sidewall of the body so that an air passage is formed so that air can pass from locations in the wearer's mouth to a wearer's throat.

17. A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's teeth, the mouthguard s comprising: a. a body into which teeth are inserted to protect the teeth; and b. a multiplicity of spaced apart breathing openings each extending through a sidewall of the body so that air passages are formed so that air can pass from locations in the wearer's mouth to a wearer's throat. 1o

18. A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's teeth, the mouthguard comprising: a. a body into which teeth are inserted to protect the teeth; and b. a multiplicity of spaced apart breathing openings each extending through a bottom wall of the body so that air passages are formed so that air can pass from 15 locations in the wearer's mouth to a wearer's throat.

19. A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's teeth, the mouthguard comprising: a. a body into which teeth are inserted to protect the teeth; and b. at least one breathing opening extending through a sidewall of the body 20 so that an air passage is formed so that air can pass from locations in the wearer's mouth to a wearer's throat.

20. A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's teeth, the mouthguard comprising: a. a body into which teeth are inserted to protect the teeth; and 25 b. at least one breathing opening extending through a bottom wall of the body so that an air passage is formed so that air can pass from locations in the wearer's mouth to a wearer's throat. 23

21. A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's teeth, the mouthguard comprising: a. a teeth protecting section having at least a horizontally aligned transverse wall and an exterior sidewall aligned generally perpendicular to the transverse 5 wall; and b. air passage means in a least one portion of the teeth protection section to enable air to travel from inside the wearer's mouth to a wearer's throat.

22. The mouthguard in accordance with claim 21, wherein the air passage means comprises a multiplicity of spaced apart openings extending through the 10 horizontally aligned transverse wall.

23. The mouthguard in accordance with claim 21, wherein the air passage means comprises at least one opening extending through the horizontally aligned transverse wall.

24. The mouthguard in accordance with claim 21, wherein the air passage is means comprises a multiplicity of spaced apart openings extending through the exterior sidewall.

25. The mouthguard in accordance with claim 21, wherein the air passage means comprises at least one opening extending through the exterior sidewall.

26. The mouthguard in accordance with claim 21, wherein the air passage 20 means comprises a multiplicity of spaced apart cavities from an upper surface of the exterior sidewall into a portion of the exterior sidewall.

27. The mouthguard in accordance with claim 21, wherein the air passage means comprises at least one cavity extending from an upper surface of the exterior sidewall into a portion of the exterior sidewall. 25 Dated 19 July, 2011 JR286 Technologies, Inc. Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON