Method and Apparatus for Holding Mouth Guards

Abstract

A mouth guard holder assembly having a central body member, constructed of terrycloth fabric or other material having suitable flexibility, absorbency, aesthetic and other characteristics, forms a resilient expandable loop to snugly fit around a user's bicep, forearm or wrist. A harness or strap is affixed to the central body member, but is capable of being partially separated from the central body member. Thereafter, a mouth guard can be quickly and securely stored in space formed between the strap and central body member during periods when the mouth guard is not inserted within a user's mouth.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]PRIORITY OF U.S. PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION SER. NO. 61 / 642,801, FILED MAY 4, 2012, INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, IS HEREBY CLAIMED.STATEMENTS AS TO THE RIGHTS TO THE INVENTION MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT[0002]NONEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Field of the Invention[0004]The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for convenient and sanitary storage of a mouth guard during certain periods of non-use. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for temporarily holding a mouth guard during periods when it is not placed in a user's mouth.[0005]2. Brief Description of the Prior Art[0006]The benefits of wearing protective mouth guards, particularly during athletic events and recreational activities, have been widely documented. Such mouth guards protect a user's mouth area including, without limitation, the user's teeth and gums. Additionally, mouth guards a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent is about a device that helps keep sports equipment, like mouth guards, clean and secure. The device includes a strap that is connected to a central body. The strap can be partially separated from the central body to create space between them. The strap is also elastic, which helps keep the device in place. The device is designed to be easily and temporarily used for a variety of sports and activities where a mouth guard is not regularly used. It helps protect the mouth guard from getting wet, getting dirty, or getting lost.

Problems solved by technology

Additionally, mouth guards also protect a user's head against a blow to the jaw that can result in numerous injuries such as, for example, concussions and / or loss of consciousness.

Although conventional mouth guards provide protection against injury, said mouth guards can be inconvenient and problematic during periods of relative inactivity and / or when verbal communication is required.

When such mouth guards are removed, a problem can develop as to how and where to store such mouth guard during periods when such mouth guards are not being worn.

Although wearers can simply hold the mouth guards in their hands, such hands are frequently dirty or unsanitary, particularly during sporting events or other activities where a participant's hands must touch the ground, athletic balls or other potentially unsanitary surfaces.

Moreover, such mouth guards frequently contain excess saliva from a user's mouth, making them unpleasant to hold for extended periods.

Existing attempts to solve this problem have not yielded satisfactory results.

However, mouth guards hanging from a facemask are exposed to the surrounding environment, including dirt, mud, germs or other contaminants on the field, helmet or uniform.

None of these solutions protect the mouth guards from the surrounding environment—including dirt, mud, germs or other contaminants found on the field, body, helmet or uniform.

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