Manually operated therapeutic jaw exercise device
The manually operated jaw exercise device addresses the limitations of conventional devices by replicating natural jaw motion with a Scotch-yoke and rack-pinion mechanism, ensuring continuous jaw contact and controlled exercise cycles.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE202026101023
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-02-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-30
- Estimated Expiration
- 2036-02-29
AI Technical Summary
Conventional therapeutic jaw exercise devices fail to replicate the natural circular motion of jaw movement, leading to poor ergonomic insertion, interrupted jaw contact, unnecessary force on the maxilla, and limited ability to lock the jaw in intermediate therapeutic positions.
A manually operated therapeutic jaw exercise device utilizing a Scotch-yoke mechanism integrated with a rack and pinion system to replicate the natural circular motion of the mandible, allowing controlled, repeatable, and lockable jaw exercise cycles.
Enables precise mandibular rehabilitation by maintaining continuous jaw contact and avoiding unnecessary force on the maxilla, while providing sustained stretching and controlled exercise cycles.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
AREA
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a hand-operated therapeutic jaw exercise device for the rehabilitation of the mandible and controlled jaw movement. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART
[0002] Therapeutic jaw exercise devices have been developed to assist patients with limited jaw mobility, temporomandibular joint disorders, and conditions such as trismus. Conventional devices utilize lever-operated plates, pincer-like arms, screw-threaded mechanisms, rack and pinion systems, and Scotch-Yoke connections to induce jaw movements. However, many rely on linear displacement or double jaw insertion, which fails to replicate the natural circular motion of jaw movement. This results in poor ergonomic insertion, interrupted jaw contact, unnecessary force on the maxilla, and a limited ability to lock the jaw in intermediate therapeutic positions. SUMMARY
[0003] The subject matter of the present invention is defined in the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Fig. Figure 1 illustrates a hand-operated therapeutic jaw exercise device for mandibular rehabilitation and controlled jaw movement. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Conventional therapeutic jaw exercise devices are based on linear or double jaw mechanisms that cannot replicate the natural circular arc of mandibular movement, resulting in poor ergonomic insertion, interrupted contact of the mandibular teeth, unnecessary force on the maxilla, and a limited ability to lock the jaw in intermediate therapeutic positions.
[0005] The present disclosure provides a manually operated therapeutic jaw exercise device configured to replicate the natural circular motion of the mandible while enabling controlled, repeatable, and lockable jaw exercise cycles. The device comprises a lower arch plate designed to apply force to the anterior teeth of the mandibular arch and supported by a quadrant plate rotatably mounted on a stand about a central pin. A rod connects the lower arch plate to the quadrant plate and, together with a yoke, forms a Scotch-yoke mechanism. The yoke is integrally extended into a rack that engages with a pinion to form a rack and pinion mechanism. A hand lever extending from the central shaft of the pinion enables manual operation.The rotation of the hand lever drives the pinion, moving the rack and pinion back and forth, shifting the yoke, and rotating the quadrant plate, thereby opening the lower mandibular arch plate along a circular arc while maintaining contact with the mandibular teeth. The rack and pinion engagement allows locking at any angular position for sustained stretching and controlled exercise cycles, while simultaneously avoiding loading of the maxillary arch and enabling precise mandibular rehabilitation.
[0006] Fig.Figure 1 shows a manually operated therapeutic jaw device 100 designed for the controlled rehabilitation of the mandible. In the unactuated position, the lower mandibular arch plate 102 is horizontally oriented to contact the anterior teeth of the mandibular arch and is supported by a quadrant plate 104, which rotates approximately about a pin 106 mounted on a stand of the quadrant plate 108. A rod 110 connects the lower mandibular arch plate 102 to the quadrant plate 104 and engages in a yoke 112 to form a Scotch yoke mechanism. The yoke 112 extends into a rack 114 with teeth that engage with a pinion 116, forming a rack and pinion mechanism. A hand lever 118 extends from a central shaft of the pinion 116 and is supported by a stand of the hand lever 120.In the actuated position, the rotation of the hand lever 118 drives the pinion 116, moves the rack 114 back and forth, pushes the yoke 112 and rotates the quadrant plate 104 around the pin 106, causing the lower mandibular arch plate 102 to open in a circular arc while maintaining contact with the mandibular arch.
[0007] Although implementations for a hand-lever-operated therapeutic jaw exercise device have been described in language relating to structural features and / or methods, it should be noted that the attached claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as examples of implementations of a hand-lever-operated therapeutic jaw exercise device.
Claims
[1] Device (100) for a hand-operated therapeutic jaw exercise, comprising: a lower mandibular arch plate (102) configured to apply force to the incisors of a mandibular arch; a quadrant plate (104) which supports the lower mandibular arch plate (102) for rotation about a pin (106) which is mounted on a stand of the quadrant plate (108); a rod (110) connecting the lower mandibular arch plate (102) to the quadrant plate (104); a yoke (112) that engages with the bar (110) to form a Scotch yoke mechanism; a rack (114) which extends integrally from the yoke (112) and is provided with teeth; a pinion (116) that engages with the rack (114) to form a rack and pinion mechanism; and a pinion (116) wherein the pinion (116) engages with the rack (114) to form a rack mechanism; a hand lever (118) extending from a central shaft of the pinion (116) and supported by a hand lever stand (120), wherein a rotation of the hand lever (118) actuates the pinion (116) to move the rack (114) back and forth, the yoke (112) slides and the quadrant plate (104) is rotated around the pin (106), thereby opening the lower mandibular arch plate (102) in a circular arc and enabling locking in any angular position for therapeutic jaw exercises. [2] Device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the lower mandibular arch plate (102) is configured to be ergonomically inserted into a partially open or closed jaw while maintaining continuous contact with the lower incisors during the exercise. [3] Device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the rack (114) and pinion (116) are configured to lock the lower mandibular arch plate (102) in intermediate angular positions to enable sustained stretching and controlled therapeutic exercise cycles.