US2750941A

US2750941A - Mouth protector

Info

Publication number: US2750941A
Application number: US421308A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jack F Cathcart
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1954-04-06
Filing date: 1954-04-06
Publication date: 1956-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 1973-06-19

Description

June 19, 1956 J. F. CATHCART MOUTH PROTECTOR Filed April 6, 1954 INVENTOR. JACK F. GATHGART HIS ATTORNEYS United States Patent MOUTH PROTECTOR Jack F. Catlicart, Berkeley, Calif., assignor of one-half to Fred P. Molfett, Berkeley, Calif.

Application April 6, 1954, Serial No. 421,308

18 Claims. (Cl. 128-136) My invention relates to mouth protectors and more particularly to devices in this category adapted for use by those engaged in competitive contact sports or other pursuits to prevent possible injury to the teeth, lips, or other regions of the mouth, as well as to protect the user against dislocation of or injury to the temporalmandibular joint and its articulating capsule.

Devices for the aforementioned purposes are not of and in themselves broadly new, but those with which I am familiar, suffer from many limitations and drawbacks. Some lack adequate retention ability and are readily dislodged in response to a blow to the chin or jaw which, aside from exposure to possible injury resulting from its temporary loss, may result in the device falling into the throat of the wearer and causing choking.

Other devices of the prior art necessitate maintaining a continual bite thereon to hold the same in place, but this type proves quite uncomfortable to the wearer, particularly when engaged in a strenuous sport or undertaking, which normally necessitates auxiliary breathing through the mouth to obtain ones full quota of air under such conditions.

Among the objects of the present invention are:

1. To provide a novel and improved mouth protector;

2. To provide a novel and improved mouth protector capable of being custom fitted by the intended wearer and with a minimum of skill;

3. To provide a novel and improved mouth protector incorporating the features of the mouthpiece of my Patent No. 2,643,652, but which is capable of being personalized to additionally embody the characteristics of a custom fitted mouth protector.

4. To provide a novel and improved custom fitted mouth protector of low cost;

5. To provide a novel and improved custom fitted mouth protector which shall be shock absorbing throughout;

6. To provide a novel and improved custom fitted mouth protector, which will enable the wearer to carry on substantially normal breathing despite the presence of such mouth protector in the users mouth;

7. To provide a novel and improved economically producible custom fitted mouth protector having shock absorbing qualities throughout.

Additional objects of my invention will be brought out in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the same taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein Patented June 19, 1956 of a mouthpiece incorporating a trough of suflicient dimensions to receive and accommodate the teeth and gums of an intended wearer, within a substantial range of mouth sizes and teeth variations. In the trough of such mouthpiece, a strip of soft pliable mastic is placed which substantially fills the trough, the mastic being such that it can be set, and when set, will be resilient and shock absorbing. This, then, will enable an impression to be made by the intended user, of his teeth and gums prior to setting of the mastic, which will result in a mouth protector having the charcteristics of a custom fitted device.

For many decades, it has been the practice in the dental profession to obtain a matching fit between a plate and the mouth region covered thereby, by the application of a soft settable mastic to the plate, and setting the same following the making of an impression in the mouth of the patient. In these instances, however, what the dentist is after is to build up the plate surface to match the irregularities of the patients mouth. Whether the plate be of rubber, Bakelite or plastic, the mastic would be of a compatible nature and would harden upon setting.

Figure 1 is a frontal view of a preformed mouthpiece In accomplishing the objects of the present invention, however, one cannot adhere strictly to such practice, for one is not seeking merely to build up a device to match the irregularities of that portion of the mouth into which it is fitted.

In the case of a mouth protector, one starts out with a preformed device of rubber or like material having soft pliable characteristics capable of absorbing shocks, and the mastic when set, must not only provide a matching fit, but what is probably more important, it must possess elasticity as well as shock absorbing qualities to enable the finished device to serve its purpose as a mouth protector.

Nothing available to the dental profession in the category of mastics was found suitable for applicants purpose. Gutta-percha, which is one of the better known mastics available to the dental profession, while compatible with the type of rubber employable for month protector devices, is found to set to a degree of hardness which is unacceptable for mouth protection. It lacks the resiliency essential for ease of insertion and removal, and instead of enhancing the shock absorbing qualities of the mouth protector, it actually reduces the same, because in failing to absorb the shock of a blow, it will actually serve to transmit a blow direct to the teeth of the wearer.

Gutta-percha, also by reason of its hardness after setting, is somewhat brittle and consequently when exposed to flexing, it apt to split and chip.

Accordingly, I have found it necessary to develop mastics of my own which not only must possess elasticity and exhibit shock absorbing qualities after setting, but also must be compatible with the material of the preformed mouthpiece into which the mastic is to be placed, whereby the two may be adequately bonded one to the other to hold the same in place, or in lieu thereof, some other means for holding the mastic in place must be created. These are some of the problems which had to be faced and overcome in developing the mouth protector of the present invention.

While the present invention is applicable to preformed mouthpieces of different styles and shapes, which are capable of accommodating a range of mouth sizes and teeth variations, the particular mouthpiece of my Patent No. 2,643,652, because of existing built-in structural features, appears to be ideally suited for the purpose of the present invention, and accordingly the present invention will be described as applied to this particular mouthpiece.

Referring to the drawings for details of my invention in its preferred form, the mouthpiece illustrated is for applicationto the-upper teeth. It is of soft flexible material, such as soft vellum or pure para rubber, elastic resin, Soft plastic or the like, and formed to provide a U-shape trough 1 involving a floor 3 which lies in the surface of asphere of substantially eight inch diametensuch floor being bordered along its outer or buccal-labial edge by a smooth continuous wall 5, and along its inner or= lingual edgeby a smooth continuous wall '7. These walls join distally of the positions destined for the second molars.

Thefloor gradually increases in thickness from the positions to be occupied by these molars, to the anterior portion which will be occupied by the front or incisor teeth to conform to a normally existing angle of approach of the upper and lower jaws in the act of closing themouth, thus to assure engagement of the floor of the mouthpiece by the incisors of the lower jaw simultaneously with the molars thereof.

As to the exact width and shape of the trough floor, as well as the contour and angular inclination of the bordering walls, these factors are somewhat critical to achievein a device capable of satisfactorily fitting individuals of differing teeth and mouth structure within the ranges of small, medium and large, and may best be explained by the process of their derivation.

Following a prolonged study and analysis of the mouth and teeth structures of several thousands of individuals, the results were averaged out in the form of castings in the three ranges of small, medium and large. With each such casting, the high spots or outermost points on both the outer and inner surfaces of the teeth were delineated and the teeth blocked out, using such high spot delineations as a guide in determining the wall surfaces of the casting. The resulting modified casting then serves tov determine the contour of each trough wall and the spacing between them.

The walls as thus determined, represent maximum lateral extent of tooth surfaces to either side of the gum axis, to be expected in an average normal mouth within the range to be considered, with the result that the trough portion of the device will comfortably and substantially snugly fit the average mouth within the range for which intended, and any unusual deformities or departures from a normal mouth within such range will be accommodated readily by reason of the inherent flexibility and resiliency of the material employed in fabricating the mouth-piece.

The outer or buccal-labial wall 5 is carried up to a point above the height of contour of the teeth supporting bony tissue, and is bordered along its upper edge by an inwardly directed bead it) of the same material, the bead being preferably formed on a radius of the order: of one millimeter for best results. A V-notch Ell, centrally of the labial portion allows clearance for the labial frenum of the mouth, and thus avoids impingement thereon.

The inner or lingual wall '7 rises only to a'point just below the junction line of the crest of the gingival gum.

tissue attachment, but like the outer wall, is bordered'by ahead 13 directed inwardly toward the teeth and gums.

Each wall thus beaded is adapted to engage mouth structure along a line ofiering excellent anchorage; and through cooperation of the two walls, will furnish a substantial gripping action in the mouth of the wearer, substantially independently of the specific teeth structureand characteristics of the individual.

Depending from the floor along its outer edge and forming a depending continuation of the buccal-labial wall of the trough, is a continuous rib 15 which, in the installed position of the mouthpiece, is adapted to overhang the teeth of the lower jaw when the two jaws are brought to-. gethcr into biting relationship against the mouthpiece. As such it offers protection to the teeth of the lower jaw and minimizes any possibility of biting the cheeks or lips.

In addition to such protection, said rib will serve as a buffer in resisting lateral displacement of the lower jaw in response to a shock or blow directed against the lower aw.

Depending from the inner edge of the trough floor along each half of the trough, is another rib'17. Each such rib extends from the distal of a second molar to the distal of a cuspid, at which point it tapers off sharply and merges into the floor of the trough, leaving a free space 21 along the front lingualedge.

Such ribs 17 are so disposed with respect to the teeth of the lower jaw as to be in alignment with the line dividing the buccal and lingual cusps of molars and bicuspids of said lower jaw, whereby in the actof bringing the'two' jaws together, the molars and the bicuspids will mesh with and strike these ribs, just prior to engaging the under surface of the trough floor.

The significance of this lies in the fact that by making these ribs of proper height and cross-section, they may be relied on to absorb light blows to the chin, and to further function as preliminary bumpers in the matter of blows of sufiicient force to bring both jaws into biting relationship against the floor of the trough portion. In

cooperation with the outer rib 15, they will aid in resist ing lateral displacements of the lower jaw. These ribs when approximately of two millimeters height and two millimeters width will fulfill all these functions satis-' factorily.

By terminating these preliminary shock absorbing ribs 17 at the distal of the cuspids, as previously indicated the tongue is free to reach the lingual surfaces of the lower incisors and approach the upper incisors. within the thickness of the lingual wall 7 of the trough portion, thereby permitting substantially normal articulation in the matter of speech, besides adding to thecomfort of the'wearer in providing greater latitude for tongue movements.

Spanning in its entirety, the lingual area bounded by the head 13, is a palatal membrane 21 preferably of the same soft flexible material employed in molding the trough portion, such membrane terminating posteriorly in a bead 23 alongan arch extending from the dista'l of the second molar on one side of theupper jaw to the distal of the second molar on the other side, and adapted to engage the surface of the hard palate of the wearer, in a line contact. Such line contact should be just anterior of or to the front of the junction of the soft and hard palates, by an amount sufiicient to take care ofvariations in normal individuals, as it is essential in the present device thatthe bead contact be against the hard palate to avoid gagging.

Being of relatively thin flexible material, thepalatal membrane is readily deformable to conform to the contour and irregularities of the roof of the wearers mouth. Such deformation may be accomplished by sucking in the air that may be trappedbetween the membrane and the roof of the mouth following instal-lationof the mouthpiece, or by squeezing out suchentrapped-air by finger pressure against the membrane.

In either event, palatal suction will result,- and an effective seal will be established by the cooperative effect of the lingual Wall bead 13 and thepalatal membrane head 23, which connect with one another and serve to maintain such palatal suction condition until overcome by forcibly lifting such beads and palatal membrane out of contact with the roof area of the wearers mouth and blowing or permitting air to flow-inbehind the membrane to break the suction.

Th'us' very effective aid in retention of the mouthpiece approximating that of the trough, and is then cut in sections each to the length of the trough of the preformed mouthpiece, the volume of each section being such as to substantially fill such trough.

In assembling it in the trough, a coating of adhesive or cement is preferably first applied to the floor of the trough to secure the fill at least until the impression is made and the material set, and the strip is then placed therein and pressed into position by running a finger along the exposed surface thereof with sufficient pressure to (1) engage the adhesive and (2) at the same time concave the upper surface so that it will function as a guide for the teeth when an impression is to be made.

When the mastic is subsequently impressed with the teeth and gums of the intended user, the material will be guided by the ribs and 13 into the interstices between the teeth and adjacent the gums, such ribs further functioning to resist escape of the mastic, thereby building up pressure to force the mastic into the far corners of the trough and ultimately to squeeze any excess past the ribs. By gently pressing along both the inner and outer walls, the mastic may be molded more intimately to the teeth and gums.

In preforming the basic mouthpiece, the V-notch 11 is preferably formed to the lowest point indicated by the thousands of measurements taken, and likewise at an intermediate location 29 along the right and left side of the trough, corresponding to the location of the buccal muscle attachments in the mouth, the outer wall is preferably similarly reduced in height. In connection with both the V-notch and the side locations, the height of the wall from the floor of the trough will be of the order of 7 to 9 millimeters. By so dimensioning the outer wall, one not only eliminates the prior necessity of trimming the wall down to fit the individual at these points, but the squeezing of excess mastic past the rib 10 when making an impression, will cause such excess mastic to build up the wall in the event of any deficiency at these locations. Any excess beyond this will be trimmed off.

A more secure mechanical retention of the mastic in the trough may be realized by undercutting one or both of the side walls of the trough though preferably this should be limited to the inner wall, and may be realized by simply inclining a portion 31 of such wall toward the other.

Following the making of the impression, the mastic is set so as to permanently hold the impression. This is preferably accomplished at the time of the impression and prior to its removal from the mouth so as not to disturb the impression. Thus, the mastic must be either self-setting, set by application of cold water or hot water, by chemical reaction or a combination of heat and chemical reaction, and when set should be shock absorbing and sufficiently elastic to permit repeated removal of the mouth protector and installation thereof with ease and without loss of the retention ability of the fill.

A further requirement of the mastic, is the ability, when once set to hold its shape under the heat conditions often encountered in locker and shower rooms.

After considerable development and experimental effort, a mastic based on a basic combination of rubber and resin was suggested as oifering the desired qualities to a greater and more practical degree than others which were evolved during such period of development and experimental effort. This mastic more specifically involved a combination of clean natural rubber, balata and resin in proportions within the following ranges:

The mastic obtained from the mixture of these materials is a cold setting mastic which may be softened by the application of heat to facilitate the making of impressions. It is ideally suited for the taking of impressions in the mouth because the heat required for softening the material and the cold required for setting it are well within the adaptability of the mouth to withstand. The material is substantially free of tackiness, and when set, possesses elasticity and resiliency and will hold its impression even under long exposure to the heat conditions of a shower or locker room.

Within the percentage ranges indicated above, the preferred composition utilizes pale crepe 88.83 parts, balata 11.17 parts, Santolite MHP 11.65 parts and oil of Wintergreen 0.59 part, the term Santolite MHP being a trademark of the Monsanto Chemical Co. of St. Louis, Mo., designating a brilliantly clear, nearly water white resin formed by the condensation of aryl sulphonamide and formaldehyde.

The preferred composition, when set, possesses just about the right degree of elasticity and resiliency to permit the mouth protector to be readily sprung into place and just as readily removed, and to absorb shock when in use.

In custom fitting a mouth protector which utilizes a mastic fill of the composition described, the protector with the fill in place is heated in boiling water which simultaneously sterilizes it and softens the mastic. The device is cooled down to a point where it may be inserted into the mouth and an impression taken. Following the taking of the impression and without removing the protector from the teeth, the mastic fill is set by the application of cold water. Once set, the mouth protector is ready for use and may be stripped from the teeth and readily sprung back onto the teeth at normal tempera tures and without destroying the impression.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the device of the present invention fulfills all the objects thereof, and while I have illustrated and described my invention in its preferred form, the same is susceptible to alteration and modification without departing from the underlying principles involved and I accordingly do not desire to be limited in my protection to such details as I have illustrated and described except as may be necessitated by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A mouth protector for use by persons engaged in competitive contact sports, comprising a preformed mouthpiece of soft rubber-like material and involving a handle free trough, a settable mastic in said trough for impression by the teeth and gums of the user of the protector, said mastic, when set, having an elasticity and resiliency suificient to provide a shock-absorbing characteristic, and means securing such mastic in said trough.

2. A mouth protector for use by persons engaged in competitive contact sports, comprising a preformed mouthpiece of soft rubber-like material involving a handle free trough, strip of mastic in said trough for impression by the teeth and gums of the user of the protector, said mastic being settable to a shock-absorbing consistency, and means securing said strip of mastic in said trough.

3. A mouth protector for application to the upper teeth of a person engaged in competitive contact sports, comprising a preformed U-shape mouthpiece of soft rubber-like material and involving a handle free trough of a size sufiicient to accommodate the teeth within a range of mouth sizes, a soft strip of settable mastic in said trough for impression by the teeth and gums of the user of the protector, said mastic when set, having a resilient and elastic consistency for absorbing shocks, and means securing said strip of mastic in said trough, said strip of mastic substantially filling said trough when placed therein.

4. A mouth protector for application to the teeth of persons engaged in competitive contact sports, comprising a preformed U-shape mouthpiece of soft rubber-like material and involving a trough being handle free and, said trough having a floor, a wall along the outer edge of said floor, a wall along the inner edge of said floor, and a mastic settable to a shock absorbing consistency, substantially filling said trough and adapted to be impressed with the teeth and gums of an individual to be fitted With such mouth protector, said filling of mastic having its exposed surface concaved to initially guide the teeth in the making of such impression.

5. A mouth protector for application to the teeth comprising a preformed U-shape mouthpiece involving a trough, said trough havinga fioor, a wall along the outer edge of said floor, a wall along the inner edge of said floor, a bead along the rim of each of said walls and directed inwardly of said trough, a soft settable mastic substantially filling said trough to said beads and adapted to be impressed with the teeth and gums of an individual to be fitted with such mouth protector, said filling of mastic having its exposed surface concaved to initially guide the teeth in the making of such impression, and means securing said mastic in said trough in preparation for such impression.

6. A month protector for application to the upper teeth comprising a preformed U-shape mouthpiece involving a trough, said trough having a floor, a wall along the outer edge of said floor adapted when the mouthpiece is applied to the upper teeth, to reach a point above the height of contour of the teeth supporting bony tissue, a wall along the inner edge of said floor and adapted to reach a point just below the junction line of the gingival gum tissue attachment, said latter wall being at least in part, inclined toward the other Wall to provide an undercut within the trough along such part of said wall, a strip of soft settable mastic in said trough and adapted to be impressed with the teeth and gums of an individual to be fitted with such mouth protector, and means securing said strip in said trough in preparation for such impression.

7. A month protector for application to the teeth comprising a preformed U-shape mouthpiece involving a trough, said trough havinga floor, a wall along the outer edge of said floor adapted when the mouthpiece is applied to the teeth, to reach a point above the height of contour of the teeth supporting bony tissue, a wall along the inner edge of said floor and adapted to reach a point just below the junction line of the gingival gum tissue attachment, said trough beingv undercut along at least a portion of said latter wall, and a strip of soft settable mastic in said trough and adapted to be impressed with the teeth and gums of an individual to be fitted with such mouth protector.

8. A mouth protector for application to the upper teeth r comprising a preformed U-shape mouthpiece involving a trough, said trough having a floor, a wall along the outer edge of said floor adapted when the mouthpiece is applied to the upper teeth, to reach a point above the height of contour of the teeth supporting bony tissue with portions of said wall corresponding to the location of the labial frenum and buccal muscle attachments in the mouth, reduced to a height of the order of 7-9 milli meters, 21 wall along the inner edge of said floor and adapted to reach a point just below the junction line of the gingival gum tissue attachment, said latter wall being at least in part, inclined toward the other Wall to provide an undercut Within the trough along such part of said wall, a bead along the rim of each of said walls and directed inwardly of said trough, a strip of soft settable mastic substantially filling said trough and adapted to be impressed with the teeth and gums of an individual to be fitted with such mouth protector, and means securing said strip in said trough in preparation for such impression.

9. A mouth protector for application to the upper teeth comprising a preformed U-shape mouthpiece involving a trough adapted to accommodate the upper teeth of individuals within a substantial range of variations in mouth size and shape, a soft flexible palatal membrane spanning the lingual area defined by said U-shape trough, said palatal membrane terminating in a rear edge adapted to engage the hard palatal region of an individual anteriorly of the junction of the hard and soft palates, and a continuous bead integral with and bordering said palatal membrane and trough to provide a seal around said membrane during use thereof, and soft settable mastic substantially filling said trough and adapted to be impressed with the teeth and gums of an individual to be fitted with such mouth protector.

it). A month protector for application to the upper teeth comprising a preformed U-shape mouthpiece involving a trough adapted to accommodate the upper teeth of individuals within a substantial range of variations in mouth size and shape, said trough having at least a part thereof undercut, a soft flexible palatal membrane spanning the lingual area defined by said U-shape trough, said palatal membrane terminating'in a rear edge adapted to engage the hard palatal region of an individual anteriorly of the junction of the hard and soft palates, and a continuous bead integral with and bordering said palatal membrane and trough to provide a seal around said membrane during use thereof, and soft settable mastic substantially filling said trough and adapted to be impressed with the teeth and gums of an individual to be fitted with such mouth protector.

ll. A mouth protector for application to the upper teeth comprising a preformed U-shape mouthpiece involving a trough adapted to accommodate the upper teeth of individuals within a substantial range of variations in mouth size and shape, said trough having at least a part thereof undercut, a soft flexible palatal membrane spanning the lingual area defined by said U-shape trough, said palatal membrane terminating in a rear edge adapted to engage the hard palatal region of an individual anteriorly of the junction of the hard and soft palates, and acontinuous bead integral with and bordering said palatal membrane and trough to provide a seal around said membrane during use thereof, soft settable mastic substantially filling said trough and adapted to be impressed with the teeth and gums of an individual to be fitted with such mouth protector, and means securing said mastic in said trough in preparation for such impression.

12. A month protector for application to the upper teeth comprising a preformed U-shape mouthpiece involving a trough adapted to accommodate the upper teeth of individuals within a substantial range of variations in mouth size and shape, said trough having at least a part thereof undercut, a soft flexible palatal membrane spanning the lingual area defined by said U-shape trough, said palatal membrane terminating in a rear edge adapted to engage the hard palatal region of an individual anteriorly of the junction of the hard and soft palates, and a continuous bead integral with and bordering said palatal membrane and trough to provide a seal around said membrane during use thereof, a bead along the outer wall of said trough and di ected inwardly thereof, a soft settable mastic substantially filling said trough to said beads and adapted'to be impressed with the teeth and gums of an individu-alto be fitted with such mouth protector, and means. securing said mastic in said trough in preparation for such impression.

13. A month protector for application to the upper teeth comprising a preformed U-s'nape mouthpiece involving a trough adapted to accommodate the upper teeth of individuals within a substantial range of variations in mouth size and shape, said trough having at least a part thereof undercut, and including an outer wall having portions corresponding to the location of the labial frenum and buccal muscle attachments in the mouth, reduced to a height of the order of 7-9 millimeters, a soft flexible palatal membrane spanning the lingual area defined by said U-shape trough, said palatal membrane terminating in a rear edge adapted to engage the hard palatal region of an individual anteriorly of the junction of the hard and soft palates, and a continuous bead integral with and bordering said palatal membr are and trough to provide a seal around said membrane during use thereof, a bead along the rim of said outer wall and directed inwardly of said trough, a strip of soft settable mastic substantially filling said trough to said beads and adapted to be impressed with the teeth and gums of an individual to be fitted with such mouth protector, and means securing said strip in said trough in preparation for such impression.

14. A mouth protector for application to the teeth of persons engaged in competitive contact sports, comprising a pro-formed mouthpiece involving a handle t'ree trough of soft rubber-like material, said trough having a floor, a wall along the outer edge of said floor, a Wall along the inner edge of said floor, a settable mastic in said trough adaptable to be impressed with the teeth of an individual to be fitted with such mouth protector, said mastic, When set, being of a shock-absorbing consistency, and means for enhancing the security of said mastic in said trough in response to the making of an impression.

15. A mouthpiece adapted to receive and hold a mastic for custom fitting the same to the teeth of an individual, comprising a U-shape trough including an inner and outer wall, said trough being undercut along at least part of one of said walls, and said outer wall at the location corresponding to the location of the labial frenum in the mouth and at the locations corresponding to the locations of the buccal muscle attachments in the mouth, being 10 opposite wall, and said outer wall at the location corresponding to the location of the labial frenum in the mouth and at the locations corresponding to the locations of the buccal muscle attachments in the mouth, being reduced in height to approximately 7-9 millimeters from the floor of the trough.

17. A mouthpiece adapted to receive and hold a mastic for custom fitting the same to the teeth of an individual, comprising a U-shape trough including an inner and outer Wall, each having a bead along the rim and facing the opposite wall, said trough being undercut along at least part of one of said Walls, and said outer wall at the location corresponding to the location of the labial frenum in the mouth and at the locations corresponding to the locations of the buccal muscle attachments in the mouth, being reduced in height to approximately 7-9 millimeters from the floor of the trough.

18. A mouth protector for application to the teeth of persons engaged in competitive contact sports, comprising a preformed mouthpiece involving, a handle free trough of soft rubber-like material, said trough having a floor, a wall along the inner edge of said floor, and a wall along the outer edge of said floor; and a settable mastic in said trough capable of heat softening and cold setting at tem- 25 peratures well within the adaptability of the mouth to reduced in height to approximately 7-9 millimeters from 30 withstand.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,517,197 Cuttitta Nov. 25, 1924 1,843,337 Record et al. Feb. 2, 1932 FOREIGN PATENTS 291,699 Great Britain June 7, 1928

Claims

1. A MOUNTH PROTECTOR FOR USE BY PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMPETITIVE CONTACT SPORTS, COMPRISING A PREFORMED MOUTHPIECE OF SOFT RUBBER-LIKE MATERIAL AND INVOLVING A HANDLE FREE TROUGH, A SETTABLE MASTIC IN SAID TROUGH FOR IMPRESSION BY THE TEETH AND GUMS OF THE USER OF THE PROTECTOR, SAID MASTIC, WHEN SET, HAVING AN ELASTICITY AND RESILIENCY SUFFICIENT TO PROVIDE A SHOCK-ABSORBING CHARACTERISTIC, AND MEANS SECURING SUCH MASTIC IN SAID TROUGH.