US20170295879A1 - Helmet-mounted mouth guard retainer - Google Patents

Helmet-mounted mouth guard retainer Download PDF

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Publication number
US20170295879A1
US20170295879A1 US15/132,897 US201615132897A US2017295879A1 US 20170295879 A1 US20170295879 A1 US 20170295879A1 US 201615132897 A US201615132897 A US 201615132897A US 2017295879 A1 US2017295879 A1 US 2017295879A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
helmet
mouth guard
retaining
attached
mounting member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US15/132,897
Inventor
Pat Fancher
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
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Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US15/132,897 priority Critical patent/US20170295879A1/en
Publication of US20170295879A1 publication Critical patent/US20170295879A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A42HEADWEAR
    • A42BHATS; HEAD COVERINGS
    • A42B3/00Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
    • A42B3/04Parts, details or accessories of helmets
    • A42B3/0406Accessories for helmets
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A42HEADWEAR
    • A42BHATS; HEAD COVERINGS
    • A42B3/00Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
    • A42B3/04Parts, details or accessories of helmets
    • A42B3/18Face protection devices
    • A42B3/20Face guards, e.g. for ice hockey
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/08Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions
    • A63B71/085Mouth or teeth protectors
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/08Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions
    • A63B71/10Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions for the head
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/08Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions
    • A63B71/085Mouth or teeth protectors
    • A63B2071/088Mouth inserted protectors with tether or strap

Definitions

  • Embodiments described herein are employed for retaining mouth guards. More particularly, embodiments relate to an apparatus for retaining mouth guards, required for certain sporting events, mounted to a helmet.
  • Mouth guards are required for participation in many common sporting events to protect the teeth and jaw of the participants. This requirement applies to professional sports, amateur sports, and children's leagues as well. Mouth guards come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, configurations and materials. Nearly all mouth guards are capable of being flexed to at least a slight degree. Mouth guards commonly impair the athlete's ability to speak and occasionally inhibit the athlete's ability to breathe fully. For these reasons, athletes commonly remove their mouth guards periodically during a sporting event, for example in between plays or while an athlete is not actively participating. This can lead to misplacing the mouth guard or contaminating the mouth guard with an unsanitary material, for example, dropping the mouth guard on the ground. What is needed is a convenient and reliable system for retaining a mouth guard while participating in a sporting event.
  • Disclosed embodiments include an apparatus which may be mounted to a helmet and served to retain a mouth guard using an enclosed loop at the first end.
  • the second end of the apparatus may be mounted to a helmet at a conventional screw or rivet point.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a mouth guard retainer mounted to a traditional football helmet.
  • FIG. 2 shows a more detailed view of an embodiment of a mouth guard retainer.
  • FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a mouth guard retainer mounted to a traditional football helmet.
  • FIG. 4 shows a more detailed diagram of an alternative embodiment.
  • FIG. 1 The preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 is shown attached to a traditional football helmet 101 with an attached face mask 102 .
  • the face mask 102 is connected to the helmet 101 using a plurality of fasteners.
  • the fasteners are most frequently nut-and-bolt fasteners or rivets although other types of fasteners are known in the art.
  • the mouth guard retainer 115 is attached to the helmet 101 at one of the same fastener points that secures the face mask 102 to the helmet 101 . It will be appreciated that many sports other than football require similar helmets 101 with attached face masks 102 . The disclosed mouth guard retainer 115 may be attached to these varieties of helmets 101 using a similar attachment point.
  • Certain embodiments of the disclosed mouth guard retainer 115 may be thought of as having three sections although the retainer 115 will frequently be a single continuous piece. Certain embodiments will have a mounting point 120 , a connecting member 125 and a retaining member 130 .
  • the mounting point 120 may be used to fasten the mouth guard retainer 115 to a helmet 101 .
  • the retaining member 130 may be used to physically retain a mouth guard 105 .
  • Connecting member 125 attaches the retaining member 130 to the mounting point 120 .
  • Alternate embodiments of the disclosed mouth guard retainer 115 may be thought of as having two sections although the retainer will frequently be a single continuous piece. Certain embodiments will have a mounting point 120 and an elongated retaining member 130 attached directly to the mounting point 120 .
  • the disclosed mouth guard retainer 115 may be made of many different materials. Certain preferred embodiments may be made of silicone, rubber, leather, polymer, or other flexible materials. Alternative embodiments may be made of cloth, wood or metal. Other embodiments may be made of a combination of materials. For example purposes only, the mounting point 120 may be made of metal and attached to connecting member 125 , which may be made of cloth. The cloth connecting member 125 may then be attached to a silicone retaining member 130 .
  • the disclosed device 115 may be utilized in substantially the same manner for any activity which requires both a helmet 101 and a mouth guard 105 .
  • the mouth guard retaining device 115 may be attached to a helmet 101 in a variety of ways.
  • the mouth guard retaining device 115 may be attached to the helmet 101 using a fastener that attaches a facemask 102 to the helmet 101 .
  • the mouth guard retainer 115 may also be attached using a fastener that attaches a chin-strap to the helmet 101 .
  • the mouth guard retainer 115 may also be attached to a helmet 101 using its own fastener. These fasteners may be snap fasteners, screws, nut-and-bold fasteners, or rivets among other known fasteners.

Abstract

Disclosed is a mouth guard retaining device comprising a mounting member capable of being mounted to a helmet or facemask and a retaining member capable of retaining a mouth guard. Certain embodiments may also comprise a flexible connecting member attached to both the mounting member and the retaining member. Some embodiments will be formed of substantially a single piece of rubber.

Description

    FIELD
  • Embodiments described herein are employed for retaining mouth guards. More particularly, embodiments relate to an apparatus for retaining mouth guards, required for certain sporting events, mounted to a helmet.
  • BACKGROUND
  • Mouth guards are required for participation in many common sporting events to protect the teeth and jaw of the participants. This requirement applies to professional sports, amateur sports, and children's leagues as well. Mouth guards come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, configurations and materials. Nearly all mouth guards are capable of being flexed to at least a slight degree. Mouth guards commonly impair the athlete's ability to speak and occasionally inhibit the athlete's ability to breathe fully. For these reasons, athletes commonly remove their mouth guards periodically during a sporting event, for example in between plays or while an athlete is not actively participating. This can lead to misplacing the mouth guard or contaminating the mouth guard with an unsanitary material, for example, dropping the mouth guard on the ground. What is needed is a convenient and reliable system for retaining a mouth guard while participating in a sporting event.
  • SUMMARY
  • Disclosed embodiments include an apparatus which may be mounted to a helmet and served to retain a mouth guard using an enclosed loop at the first end. The second end of the apparatus may be mounted to a helmet at a conventional screw or rivet point.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a mouth guard retainer mounted to a traditional football helmet.
  • FIG. 2 shows a more detailed view of an embodiment of a mouth guard retainer.
  • FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a mouth guard retainer mounted to a traditional football helmet.
  • FIG. 4 shows a more detailed diagram of an alternative embodiment.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • The preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 is shown attached to a traditional football helmet 101 with an attached face mask 102. The face mask 102 is connected to the helmet 101 using a plurality of fasteners. The fasteners are most frequently nut-and-bolt fasteners or rivets although other types of fasteners are known in the art.
  • The mouth guard retainer 115 is attached to the helmet 101 at one of the same fastener points that secures the face mask 102 to the helmet 101. It will be appreciated that many sports other than football require similar helmets 101 with attached face masks 102. The disclosed mouth guard retainer 115 may be attached to these varieties of helmets 101 using a similar attachment point.
  • Certain embodiments of the disclosed mouth guard retainer 115 may be thought of as having three sections although the retainer 115 will frequently be a single continuous piece. Certain embodiments will have a mounting point 120, a connecting member 125 and a retaining member 130. The mounting point 120 may be used to fasten the mouth guard retainer 115 to a helmet 101. The retaining member 130 may be used to physically retain a mouth guard 105. Connecting member 125 attaches the retaining member 130 to the mounting point 120.
  • Alternate embodiments of the disclosed mouth guard retainer 115 may be thought of as having two sections although the retainer will frequently be a single continuous piece. Certain embodiments will have a mounting point 120 and an elongated retaining member 130 attached directly to the mounting point 120.
  • The disclosed mouth guard retainer 115 may be made of many different materials. Certain preferred embodiments may be made of silicone, rubber, leather, polymer, or other flexible materials. Alternative embodiments may be made of cloth, wood or metal. Other embodiments may be made of a combination of materials. For example purposes only, the mounting point 120 may be made of metal and attached to connecting member 125, which may be made of cloth. The cloth connecting member 125 may then be attached to a silicone retaining member 130.
  • It will be appreciated that many sporting events, contact sports and other activities require the use of both a helmet 101 and mouth guard 105. The disclosed device 115 may be utilized in substantially the same manner for any activity which requires both a helmet 101 and a mouth guard 105.
  • The mouth guard retaining device 115 may be attached to a helmet 101 in a variety of ways. The mouth guard retaining device 115 may be attached to the helmet 101 using a fastener that attaches a facemask 102 to the helmet 101. The mouth guard retainer 115 may also be attached using a fastener that attaches a chin-strap to the helmet 101. The mouth guard retainer 115 may also be attached to a helmet 101 using its own fastener. These fasteners may be snap fasteners, screws, nut-and-bold fasteners, or rivets among other known fasteners.
  • The terms and descriptions used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims, and their equivalents, in which all terms are to be understood in their broadest possible sense unless otherwise indicated.

Claims (12)

What is claimed is:
1. A mouth guard retaining device comprising:
a mounting member capable of being mounted to a helmet or facemask;
a retaining member capable of retaining a mouth guard;
a flexible connecting member attached to both the mounting member and the retaining member.
2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a helmet.
3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a face mask.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the mounting member is fastened to the helmet by a fastener that also attaches the face mask to the helmet.
5. The device of claim 3, wherein the mouth guard retaining device is formed of substantially a single piece of rubber.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is entirely comprised of flexible materials.
7. A mouth guard retaining device comprising:
a mounting member capable of being mounted to a helmet or facemask;
an elongated retaining member capable of retaining a mouth guard, wherein the elongated retaining member forms a loop with both ends of said loop being attached to the mounting member.
8. The device of claim 7, further comprising a helmet.
9. The device of claim 8, further comprising a face mask.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the mounting member is fastened to the helmet by a fastener that also attaches the face mask to the helmet.
11. The device of claim 9, wherein the mouth guard retaining device is formed of substantially a single piece of rubber.
12. A protective helmet comprising:
a face mask;
a mouth guard retaining device, wherein the mouth guard retaining device is attached to said helmet;
said mouth guard retaining device comprising a mounting point and a retaining loop.
US15/132,897 2016-04-19 2016-04-19 Helmet-mounted mouth guard retainer Abandoned US20170295879A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15/132,897 US20170295879A1 (en) 2016-04-19 2016-04-19 Helmet-mounted mouth guard retainer

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15/132,897 US20170295879A1 (en) 2016-04-19 2016-04-19 Helmet-mounted mouth guard retainer

Publications (1)

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10820654B1 (en) * 2019-05-23 2020-11-03 Bryant Kevin Gentry Mouthguard retaining device
US20210354025A1 (en) * 2020-05-15 2021-11-18 Paul Hix Hands-free sanitary mouthguard

Citations (31)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3407809A (en) * 1966-09-26 1968-10-29 Harold M. Ross Mouthpiece
US3448738A (en) * 1966-12-19 1969-06-10 Shield Mfg Inc Protective mouthpiece
US3485242A (en) * 1967-01-03 1969-12-23 Samuel Greenberg Plastic mouthpiece with break-away strap
US3682164A (en) * 1970-02-09 1972-08-08 Shield Mfg Inc Protective mouthpiece
US4692947A (en) * 1985-10-28 1987-09-15 Black Randy D Protective helmet, chin cup, and face guard
US4791941A (en) * 1987-06-12 1988-12-20 Gator Corporation Athletic mouth guard
US4977905A (en) * 1989-10-31 1990-12-18 Kittelsen Jon D Protective mouthguard assembly
US5095552A (en) * 1990-12-24 1992-03-17 Parkinson Lee J Helmet face guard mount
US5165423A (en) * 1991-09-30 1992-11-24 Fowler Ian K Tooth guard whistle
US5234005A (en) * 1989-10-31 1993-08-10 E-Z Gard Industries, Inc. Protective mouthguard assembly
US5353810A (en) * 1993-05-14 1994-10-11 E-Z Gard Industries, Inc. Wishbone tether for mouthguard assemblies
US5365946A (en) * 1992-08-21 1994-11-22 E-Z Gard Industries, Inc. Quick release tether for mouthguards
US5978973A (en) * 1997-12-12 1999-11-09 Bauer, Inc. Fastener for use on a protective helmet
US20030230311A1 (en) * 2002-06-13 2003-12-18 Paul Raymond Mouth guard retention apparatus and athletic uniform including the same
US20040244805A1 (en) * 2003-06-03 2004-12-09 Cook William A. Mouthguard storage case
US6941952B1 (en) * 2004-12-02 2005-09-13 Rush, Iii Gus A. Athletic mouthpiece capable of sensing linear and rotational forces and protective headgear for use with the same
US20090260634A1 (en) * 2008-04-22 2009-10-22 Navarrette Jr Felipe E Combination chin protector and mouth guard
US7708018B1 (en) * 2005-11-28 2010-05-04 Jr286 Technologies, Inc. Double quick release mouth guard assembly
US7913695B1 (en) * 2006-09-19 2011-03-29 Moore John J Mouth guard with fixed tether system
US7980249B2 (en) * 2007-09-28 2011-07-19 Xo Athletic, Co. Athletic mouthguard with customizable color insert
US20110184319A1 (en) * 2010-01-22 2011-07-28 X2Impact, Inc. Mouth guard with sensor
US8020562B2 (en) * 2008-04-22 2011-09-20 Navarrette Jr Felipe E Combination chin protector and mouth guard
US20120174932A1 (en) * 2011-01-10 2012-07-12 Anthony Lamont Wilson Protective mouth guard
US20130036533A1 (en) * 2011-08-10 2013-02-14 Bryant Kevin Gentry Mouth guard retaining device
US20130291291A1 (en) * 2011-08-10 2013-11-07 Bryant Kevin Gentry Mouth guard retaining device
US20140366892A1 (en) * 2013-06-18 2014-12-18 Gary M. Mauro Mouthguard Configured for Attachment to a Chin Strap
US8938818B2 (en) * 2002-05-01 2015-01-27 Riddell, Inc. Sports helmet
US20150258417A1 (en) * 2012-11-27 2015-09-17 Thnk, Inc. Mouth-guard with insert
US9192845B2 (en) * 2012-10-29 2015-11-24 James Y. S. Ho Mouth guard retainer
US20160193522A1 (en) * 2013-01-14 2016-07-07 John Maurello Mouth guard apparatus with hook
US9630082B2 (en) * 2013-02-11 2017-04-25 Shawn Alan Zents Athletic protective mouthpiece and lip shield apparatus

Patent Citations (33)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3407809A (en) * 1966-09-26 1968-10-29 Harold M. Ross Mouthpiece
US3448738A (en) * 1966-12-19 1969-06-10 Shield Mfg Inc Protective mouthpiece
US3485242A (en) * 1967-01-03 1969-12-23 Samuel Greenberg Plastic mouthpiece with break-away strap
US3682164A (en) * 1970-02-09 1972-08-08 Shield Mfg Inc Protective mouthpiece
US4692947A (en) * 1985-10-28 1987-09-15 Black Randy D Protective helmet, chin cup, and face guard
US4791941A (en) * 1987-06-12 1988-12-20 Gator Corporation Athletic mouth guard
US4977905A (en) * 1989-10-31 1990-12-18 Kittelsen Jon D Protective mouthguard assembly
US5234005A (en) * 1989-10-31 1993-08-10 E-Z Gard Industries, Inc. Protective mouthguard assembly
US5095552A (en) * 1990-12-24 1992-03-17 Parkinson Lee J Helmet face guard mount
US5165423A (en) * 1991-09-30 1992-11-24 Fowler Ian K Tooth guard whistle
US5365946A (en) * 1992-08-21 1994-11-22 E-Z Gard Industries, Inc. Quick release tether for mouthguards
US5353810A (en) * 1993-05-14 1994-10-11 E-Z Gard Industries, Inc. Wishbone tether for mouthguard assemblies
US5978973A (en) * 1997-12-12 1999-11-09 Bauer, Inc. Fastener for use on a protective helmet
US8938818B2 (en) * 2002-05-01 2015-01-27 Riddell, Inc. Sports helmet
US20060157062A1 (en) * 2002-06-13 2006-07-20 Paul Raymond Mouth guard retention apparatus, athletic uniform and method
US20030230311A1 (en) * 2002-06-13 2003-12-18 Paul Raymond Mouth guard retention apparatus and athletic uniform including the same
US20040244805A1 (en) * 2003-06-03 2004-12-09 Cook William A. Mouthguard storage case
US6941952B1 (en) * 2004-12-02 2005-09-13 Rush, Iii Gus A. Athletic mouthpiece capable of sensing linear and rotational forces and protective headgear for use with the same
US7708018B1 (en) * 2005-11-28 2010-05-04 Jr286 Technologies, Inc. Double quick release mouth guard assembly
US7913695B1 (en) * 2006-09-19 2011-03-29 Moore John J Mouth guard with fixed tether system
US7980249B2 (en) * 2007-09-28 2011-07-19 Xo Athletic, Co. Athletic mouthguard with customizable color insert
US20090260634A1 (en) * 2008-04-22 2009-10-22 Navarrette Jr Felipe E Combination chin protector and mouth guard
US8020562B2 (en) * 2008-04-22 2011-09-20 Navarrette Jr Felipe E Combination chin protector and mouth guard
US20110184319A1 (en) * 2010-01-22 2011-07-28 X2Impact, Inc. Mouth guard with sensor
US20120174932A1 (en) * 2011-01-10 2012-07-12 Anthony Lamont Wilson Protective mouth guard
US20140246028A1 (en) * 2011-01-10 2014-09-04 Anthony Lamont Wilson Protective mouth guard
US20130291291A1 (en) * 2011-08-10 2013-11-07 Bryant Kevin Gentry Mouth guard retaining device
US20130036533A1 (en) * 2011-08-10 2013-02-14 Bryant Kevin Gentry Mouth guard retaining device
US9192845B2 (en) * 2012-10-29 2015-11-24 James Y. S. Ho Mouth guard retainer
US20150258417A1 (en) * 2012-11-27 2015-09-17 Thnk, Inc. Mouth-guard with insert
US20160193522A1 (en) * 2013-01-14 2016-07-07 John Maurello Mouth guard apparatus with hook
US9630082B2 (en) * 2013-02-11 2017-04-25 Shawn Alan Zents Athletic protective mouthpiece and lip shield apparatus
US20140366892A1 (en) * 2013-06-18 2014-12-18 Gary M. Mauro Mouthguard Configured for Attachment to a Chin Strap

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10820654B1 (en) * 2019-05-23 2020-11-03 Bryant Kevin Gentry Mouthguard retaining device
US20210354025A1 (en) * 2020-05-15 2021-11-18 Paul Hix Hands-free sanitary mouthguard

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