AU2015255327B2

AU2015255327B2 - Teeth Separating System

Info

Publication number: AU2015255327B2
Application number: AU2015255327A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Sherry Zhao
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-11-09
Filing date: 2015-11-15
Publication date: 2021-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 2035-11-15
Also published as: KR20170054217A; CA2912916A1; CN106510915B; DE102016121421A1; IT201600101978A1; JP2017086862A; GB2557883A; GB201611015D0; CN106510915A; AU2015255327A1

Abstract

A teeth separating system (10), for abating tooth grinding through positioning between upper and lower teeth of a user, has a left base component (12) and a right base component (14). Each of the left and right base components (12, 14) has upper and lower surfaces (16, 18) in a generally horizontal orientation, an 5 exterior edge (20), a forward point (22), a rearward point (24), and an interior edge (26). Each base component (12, 14) has a generally oval central extent (28), a forward extent, and a semicircular rearward extent. A support component (30) in an arcuate configuration is positionable in a generally vertical orientation. The support component (30) has inner and outer faces (32, 34) and upper and lower 10 edges (36, 38). The upper edge (36) is perpendicular to and integrally formed with the base components (12, 14) at the exterior edge (20). The support component (30) has terminal ends located adjacent to the base components (12, 14). The support component (30) has an arcuate forward section between the base components. The lower surface (18) of the base components (12, 14) is spaced 15 from the upper surface of the forward section by an elevational space. 1/4 o o I (co~ LL C\j QD (J(~ 0 00 te 6D 0I LL%

Description

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TEETH SEPARATING SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a teeth separating system and more particularly pertains to abating teeth grinding through positioning between upper and lower teeth of a user, the abating being done in a safe, convenient, and economical manner.

Description of the Prior Art The use of teeth separating systems of known designs and configurations is known in the prior art. More specifically, teeth separating systems of known designs and configurations previously devised and utilised for the purpose of abating grinding of teeth are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, they do not described a teeth separating system that allows abating teeth grinding through positioning between upper and lower teeth of a user, the abating being done in a safe, convenient, and economical manner.

US patent no. 8,800,568, and US 2014/0345628, both by the present applicant, disclose teeth separating systems.

In this respect, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved teeth separating system which can be used for abating teeth grinding through positioning between upper and lower teeth of a user, the abating being done in a safe, convenient, and economical manner. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfils this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of teeth separating systems of known designs and configurations now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved teeth separating system. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved teeth separating system and method which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

The invention provides a teeth separating system (200) comprising: a left base component and a right base component, each base component having upper and lower surfaces in a generally horizontal orientation, each base component having an exterior edge, a forward point, a rearward point, and an interior edge, each base component having a generally oval central extent and a forward extent and a semicircular rearward extent; and a support component in an arcuate configuration positionable in a generally vertical orientation, the support component having inner and outer faces, the support component having upper and lower edges, the upper edge being perpendicular to and integrally formed with the base components at the exterior edge, the support component having terminal ends located adjacent to the base components, the support component having an arcuate forward section between the base components, the lower surfaces of the base components being spaced from the upper surface of the forward section by an elevational space, two enlarged regions (204) formed in the support component, each enlarged region being located beneath an associated base component, each enlarged region having a common height measured vertically, two coupling lines (206), each coupling line being located between an associated enlarged region and associated base component, each enlarged region having a height measured vertically from 1.0 cm to 2.0 cm, each enlarged region having a width measured horizontally of from 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm, each enlarged region having a thickness of from 1.0 mm to 4.0 mm, a rectangular cut-out (208) formed in each enlarged region, each rectangular cut-out having a height between 25 per cent and 75 per cent of the height of each enlarged region, each rectangular cut-out having a width between 25 per cent and 75 per cent of the width of each enlarged region.

The invention also provides a teeth separating system (200) comprising: a left base component and a right base component, each base component having upper and lower surfaces in a generally horizontal orientation, each base component having an exterior edge, a forward point, a rearward point, and an interior edge, each base component having a generally oval central extent and a forward extent and a semicircular rearward extent; and a support component in an arcuate configuration positionable in a generally vertical orientation, the support component having inner and outer faces, the support component having upper and lower edges, the upper edge being perpendicular to and integrally formed with the base components at the exterior edge, the support component having terminal ends located adjacent to the base components, the support component having an arcuate forward section between the base components, the lower surfaces of the base components being spaced from the upper surface of the forward section by an elevational space; two enlarged regions (204) formed in the support component, each enlarged region being located beneath an associated base component, the upper edge of the support component forming, with the enlarged regions, upper notches at acute angles, the lower edge of the support component forming, with the enlarged regions, lower notches at an acute angle; two coupling lines (206), each coupling line being located between an associated enlarged region and associated base component, each enlarged region has a height measured vertically from 1.0 centimetres to 2.0 centimetres, each enlarged region having a width measured horizontally of from 1.5 centimetres to 2.5 centimetres, each enlarged region having a thickness of from 1.0 millimetres to 4.0 millimetres; a rectangular cut-out (208) formed in each enlarged region, each rectangular cut out having a height between 25 per cent and 75 per cent of the height of each enlarged region, each rectangular cut-out having a width between 25 per cent and 75 per cent of the width of each enlarged region.

The present invention essentially comprises a teeth separating system comprising a left base component and a right base component. Each base component has upper and lower surfaces in a generally horizontal orientation. Each base component has an exterior edge, a forward point, a rearward point, and an interior edge. Each base component has a generally oval central extent and a forward extent and a semicircular rearward extent. A support component in an arcuate configuration is positional in a generally vertical orientation. The support component has inner and outer faces. The support component has upper and lower edges. The upper edge is perpendicular to and integrally formed with the base components at the exterior edge. The support component has terminal ends located adjacent to the base components. The support component has an arcuate forward section between the base components. The lower surface of the base components is spaced from the upper surface of the forward section by an elevational space.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the attached claims.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of constrcutionand to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practised and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilised as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved teeth separating system which has all of the advantages of the prior art teeth separating systems of known designs and configurations and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved teeth separating system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved teeth separating system which is of durable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved teeth separating system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labour, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such teeth separating system economically available to the buying public.

Lastly, even still another object of the present invention is to provide a teeth separating system for abating teeth grinding through positioning between upper and lower teeth of a use, the abating being done in a safe, convenient, and economical manner.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterise the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective illustration of a first embodiment of a teeth separating system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the system shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the system shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a perspective illustration of a second, alternate, embodiment of a teeth separating system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 5 is a front elevational view of the system shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a plan view of the system shown in Figures 4 and 5; Figure 7 is a perspective illustration of a third, alternate, embodiment of a teeth separating system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 8 is a front elevational view of the system shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a plan view of the system shown in Figures 7 and 8; Figure 10 is a perspective illustration of a fourth, alternate embodiment of a teeth separating system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 11 is a front elevational view of the system shown in Figure 10; and Figure 12 is a plan view of the system shown in Figures 10 and 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to Figure 1 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved teeth separating system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, a teeth separating system 10 is comprised of a plurality of components. Such components in their broadest context include a left base component, a right base component, and a support component. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective.

The teeth separating system 10 is for abating teeth grinding through positioning between upper and lower teeth of a user. The abating is done in a safe, convenient, and economical manner. First provided is a left base component 12 and a similarly configured right base component 14. The left base component and the right base component are positionable in a generally horizontal plane when in use between the teeth of a user while the user is in an upright position, that is, standing or sitting. Each base component has an upper surface 16 positional in contact with the upper teeth of the user during use and a lower surface 18 positional in contact with the lower teeth of the user during use. The upper and lower surfaces are separated by a thickness of preferably from 1.0 mm to 4.0 mm throughout their entire extents. Each base component has an exterior edge 20 with a central forward point 22 and laterally spaced rearward points 24.

Each base component has an interior edge 26. Each base component has an oval central extent 28 with a preferred length of 33 mm plus or minus ten per cent. Each base component has arcuate forward extents with a first width. Each base component has a semicircular rearward extent with a second width which is greater than the first width.

A support component is next provided. The support component is in an arcuate configuration. The support component is positional in a generally vertical orientation when in use exterior of the gums and interior of the cheeks and lower lip of the user while the user is in an upright position, that is, standing or sitting. The support component has an inner face 32 and an outer face 34. The inner and outer faces are separated by a thickness of preferably from 1.0 mm to 4.0 mm throughout their entire extent. The support component has an upper edge 36 and a lower edge 38. The upper edge is perpendicular to and integrally formed with the base component at the exterior periphery. The support component preferably has a height of 5 mm to 10 mm with enlarged rearward sections 40. The support component has terminal ends spaced from the rearward points of the base components. The vertical distance or height between the base components measured from their lower surfaces and the base component measured from its lower edge is preferably from 1 cm to 2 cm. The width of the enlarged rearward sections measured horizontally is preferably from 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm.

The enlarged rearward sections are formed in the support component. Each enlarged rearward section is located beneath an associated one of the base components. Two coupling lines 42 are next provided. Each coupling line is located between an associated one of the enlarged regions and an associated 5 one of the base components. Each coupling line extends rearwardly of an associated one of the forward points to forwardly of an associated one of the rearward points. A notch 44 cut-out in each enlarged region is provided intermediate each enlarged region and the support component. The interior edge of each base component is formed with an S-shaped curve 46 above the enlarged 10 rearward sections.

The system is fabricated in one piece of a material with limited flexibility and elasticity. The material is chosen from the class of materials with limited flexibility and elasticity including silicone and thermoplastic elastomer and latex and plastic and organic materials.

A second, alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6. In this embodiment, the teeth separating system 100 further includes two enlarged regions 104 formed in the support component. Each enlarged region 104 has an upper edge and a lower edge. Two coupling lines 108 are provided. Each coupling line is located between an associated enlarged region and associated base component. Each enlarged region has a common height measured vertically, two coupling lines (206), each enlarged region preferably having a height of from 1.0 cm to 2.0 cm, each enlarged region having a width measured horizontally of preferably from 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm, each enlarged region preferably having a thickness of from 1.0 mm to 4.0 mm, each coupling line being located between an associated enlarged region and associated base component, a rectangular cut-out (208) formed in each enlarged region.

Another alternate embodiment of the invention, a third embodiment, is shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9. In this embodiment, the teeth separating system 200 further includes two enlarged regions 204 formed in the support component. Each enlarged region is located beneath an associated base component. Further provided are two coupling lines 206. Each coupling line is located between an associated enlarged region and associated base component. Each enlarged region has a height measured vertically of preferably from 1.0 cm to 2.0 cm. Each enlarged region has a width measured horizontally of preferably from 1.5 cm to 5 2.5 cm. Each enlarged region has a thickness of preferably from 1.0 mm to 4.0 mm. A rectangular cut-out 208 is formed in each enlarged region. Each rectangular cut-out preferably has a height between 25 per cent and 75 per cent of the height of each enlarged region. Each rectangular cut-out preferably has a width between 25 per cent and 75 per cent of the width of each enlarged region.

The two enlarged regions 204 are formed in the ends of the support component. Each enlarged region is located beneath an associated base component. The upper edge of the support component forms, with the enlarged regions, upper notches at acute angles. The lower edge of the support component forms, with the enlarged regions, lower notches at an acute angle.

The first three embodiments of the present invention each illustrate the forward most point of each base component located forwardly of the forward most point of its supporting enlarged rearward section. Each embodiment also illustrates the rearward most point of each base component located rearwardly of the rearward most point of its supporting enlarged rearward section. It should be understood, however, that the forward most point of each base component may be located at or on adjacent to the forward most point of its supporting enlarged rearward section. Similarly, the rearward most point of each base component may be located at or adjacent to the rearward most point of its supporting enlarged rearward section.

A fourth and final embodiment of the present invention is shown in figures 10, 11 and 12. In this embodiment of a teeth separating system 300, the support component 304 is located totally between the base components. In this embodiment, the system further includes a rectangular cut-out 308 extending through the support component which extends upwardly. Each rectangular cut out has a height preferably between 25 per cent and 75 per cent of the height of each enlarged region. Each rectangular cut-out has a width between preferably 25 per cent and 75 per cent of the width of each enlarged region.

It should be understood that the support component for any of the disclosed embodiments including Figure 10 may be a simple arcuate element as illustrated in Figures 1, 4 and 7. Conversely, it should be understood that the support component for any of the disclosed embodiments including Figures 1, 4 and 7 may include two elevationally spaced arcuate elements illustrated in Figure 10.

As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated are intended to encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A teeth separating system (200) comprising: a left base component and a right base component, each base component having upper and lower surfaces in a generally horizontal orientation, each base component having an exterior edge, a forward point, a rearward point, and an interior edge, each base component having a generally oval central extent and a forward extent and a semicircular rearward extent; and a support component in an arcuate configuration positionable in a generally vertical orientation, the support component having inner and outer faces, the support component having upper and lower edges, the upper edge being perpendicular to and integrally formed with the base components at the exterior edge, the support component having terminal ends located adjacent to the base components, the support component having an arcuate forward section between the base components, the lower surfaces of the base components being spaced from the upper surface of the forward section by an elevational space, two enlarged regions (204) formed in the support component, each enlarged region being located beneath an associated base component, each enlarged region having a common height measured vertically, two coupling lines (206), each coupling line being located between an associated enlarged region and associated base component, each enlarged region having a height measured vertically from 1.0 cm to 2.0 cm, each enlarged region having a width measured horizontally of from 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm, each enlarged region having a thickness of from 1.0 mm to 4.0 mm, a rectangular cut-out (208) formed in each enlarged region, each rectangular cut-out having a height between 25 per cent and 75 per cent of the height of each enlarged region, each rectangular cut-out having a width between 25 per cent and 75 per cent of the width of each enlarged region.

2. A system according to claim 1, and further including: two enlarged regions formed in the support component, each enlarged region being located beneath an associated base component, two coupling lines, each coupling line being located between an associated enlarged region and an associated base component, each coupling line extending rearwardly of an associated forward point to forwardly of an associated rearward point, a notch cut-out of each enlarged region intermediate each enlarged region and the support component, the interior edge of each base component being formed with an S-shaped curve above the enlarged regions.

3. A teeth separating system (200) comprising: a left base component and a right base component, each base component having upper and lower surfaces in a generally horizontal orientation, each base component having an exterior edge, a forward point, a rearward point, and an interior edge, each base component having a generally oval central extent and a forward extent and a semicircular rearward extent; and a support component in an arcuate configuration positionable in a generally vertical orientation, the support component having inner and outer faces, the support component having upper and lower edges, the upper edge being perpendicular to and integrally formed with the base components at the exterior edge, the support component having terminal ends located adjacent to the base components, the support component having an arcuate forward section between the base components, the lower surfaces of the base components being spaced from the upper surface of the forward section by an elevational space; two enlarged regions (204) formed in the support component, each enlarged region being located beneath an associated base component, the upper edge of the support component forming, with the enlarged regions, upper notches at acute angles, the lower edge of the support component forming, with the enlarged regions, lower notches at an acute angle; two coupling lines (206), each coupling line being located between an associated enlarged region and associated base component, each enlarged region has a height measured vertically from 1.0 cm to 2.0 cm, each enlarged region having a width measured horizontally of from 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm, each enlarged region having a thickness of from 1.0 mm to 4.0 mm; a rectangular cut-out (208) formed in each enlarged region, each rectangular cut-out having a height between 25 per cent and 75 per cent of the height of each enlarged region, each rectangular cut-out having a width between 25 per cent and 75 per cent of the width of each enlarged region.

4. A system according to claim 1, characterised in that the support component is a single arcuate element.

DATED this 31 December 2020

JOHN CHRISTIANSEN Patent Attorney for the Applicant:

SHERRYZHAO