US4196724A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tongue locking device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-01-31
•
Granted: 1980-04-08
•
Expires: 1998-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A suction producing formation is elastically contracted to apply suction upon release, to a tongue receiving receptacle inserted into the mouth of a patient. The tongue tip is thereby wedgingly engaged with the rearwardly converging walls of the receptacle to seal a connecting conduit so as to maintain a suction holding pressure on the tongue.
Inventors
- 👤 Winton W. Wirt
- 👤 Desmond C. Prevatt
- 👤 William H. Frecker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/24; A61C; A61C5/00; A61C5/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A device for holding the tip of a tongue of a person in out of contact relation to the mouth surfaces, comprising an elongated receptacle having an open tongue receiving means on one end insertable into the mouth of the person having a cross-sectional configuration converging rearwardly from said tongue tip receiving end, an elastically contractable handle grip means having an expanded condition in which a larger volume is enclosed therein relative to the volume enclosed by the receptacle, a conduit connecting the handle grip means to the receptacle for applying suction pressure in response to release of the handle grip means from a contracted condition, the suction pressure being operative to draw the tongue tip longitudinally into said tongue tip receiving means of the receptacle for wedging engagement therewith to substantially seal the conduit and thereby prevent withdrawal of the tongue from the receptacle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A device for holding the tip of a tongue of a person in out of contact relation to the mouth surfaces, comprising an elongated receptacle having an open tongue receiving means on one end insertable into the mouth of the person having a cross-sectional configuration converging rearwardly from said tongue tip receiving end, an elastically contractable handle grip means having an expanded condition in which a larger volume is enclosed therein relative to the volume enclosed by the receptacle, a conduit connecting the handle grip means to the receptacle for applying suction pressure in response to release of the handle grip means from a contracted condition, the suction pressure being operative to draw the tongue tip longitudinally into said tongue tip receiving means of the receptacle for wedging engagement therewith to substantially seal the conduit and thereby prevent withdrawal of the tongue from the receptacle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said contractable handle grip means is a flexible bellows projecting laterally from the conduit to which it is connected.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said cross-section of the receptacle is laterally elongated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said cross-section of the receptacle is laterally elongated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein said receptacle is provided within internal gripping ribs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 2 including a chin engaging element projecting from the contractable handle grip means in spaced relation to the conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 1 including a gas conducting tube fixed to the handle grip means, the conduit and the receptacle, said tube extending beyond the tongue receiving end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said contractable handle grip means is a manual squeeze bulb means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 1 including a chin engaging element projecting from the contractable handle grip means in spaced relation to the conduit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the receptacle is oval-shaped in cross-section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the receptacle includes a diametrically large portion and a diametrically smaller portion to which the conduit is connected.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 11 wherein said diametrically large portion is oval-shaped in cross-section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US374122A
Cited
US480787A
Cited
US2482116A
Cited
US2945496A
Cited
US3387610A
Cited
US3557456A
Cited
US3946736A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-04-08 | 1983-10-08 | 1984-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-04-08 | 1987-10-08 | 1988-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-04-08 | 1991-10-08 | 1992-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |