Mouthguard having breathing cavities and breathing holes incorporated into the body of the mouthguard

Abstract

The present invention is an improved mouthguard which has incorporated into it at least one and preferably a multiplicity of breathing holes which extend through an exterior sidewall, an interior sidewall and/or through a bottom transverse wall in the body of the mouthguard. The mouthguard can also have incorporated into it at least one and preferably a multiplicity of breathing cavities extending from an upper surface of an exterior and/or interior sidewall into a portion of the sidewall to form one or more air passages.

1 . A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's upper row of teeth, the mouthguard comprising:
 a. a teeth protecting section including a first upper teeth tray section having a first transverse wall, a first exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a first interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the first transverse wall to an interior side, a second teeth tray section having a second transverse wall, a second exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the second transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a second interior wall having a body and extending upwardly from the second transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the second transverse wall to an interior side, and a middle teeth tray section having a middle transverse wall, a middle exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a middle interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the middle exterior wall to an interior side, the three transverse walls aligned, the three exterior walls aligned and the three interior walls aligned so that when the upper row of teeth are placed in the mouthguard, the upper row of teeth rest on the three aligned transverse walls and are protected by the three aligned exterior walls adjacent an exterior surface of the upper row of teeth and by the three aligned interior walls adjacent an interior surface of the upper row of teeth, the three aligned interior walls surrounding a central area of the mouthguard which leads to a wearer's throat;   b. at least one breathing cavity in the first exterior wall of the first teeth tray section extending from the top surface into the body of the first exterior wall and extending through the transverse thickness of the first exterior wall and at least one breathing cavity in the second exterior wall of the second teeth tray section extending from the top surface into the body of the second exterior wall and extending through the transverse thickness of the second exterior wall so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth through the breathing cavities and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat.   
     
     
         2 . The mouthguard in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising:
 a. at least one breathing cavity in the exterior middle wall of the middle teeth tray section extending from the top surface into the body of the middle exterior wall and extending through the transverse thickness of the middle exterior wall so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth through the breathing cavity in the exterior middle wall and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. 
 
     
     
         3 . A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's upper row of teeth, the mouthguard comprising:
 a. a teeth protecting section including a first upper teeth tray section having a first transverse wall, a first exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a first interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the first transverse wall to an interior side, a second teeth tray section having a second transverse wall, a second exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the second transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a second interior wall having a body and extending upwardly from the second transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the second transverse wall to an interior side, and a middle teeth tray section having a middle transverse wall, a middle exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a middle interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the middle exterior wall to an interior side, the three transverse walls aligned, the three exterior walls aligned and the three interior walls aligned so that when the upper row of teeth are placed in the mouthguard, the upper row of teeth rest on the three aligned transverse walls and are protected by the three aligned exterior walls adjacent an exterior surface of the upper row of teeth and by the three aligned interior walls adjacent an interior surface of the upper row of teeth, the three aligned interior walls surrounding a central area of the mouthguard which leads to a wearer's throat;   b. at least one breathing cavity in the first interior wall of the first teeth tray section extending from the top surface into the body of the first interior wall and extending through the transverse thickness of the first interior wall and at least one breathing cavity in the second interior wall of the second teeth tray section extending from the top surface into the body of the second interior wall and extending through the transverse thickness of the second interior wall so that an air passage is formed through the breathing cavities and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat.   
     
     
         4 . The mouthguard in accordance with  claim 3  further comprising:
 a. at least one breathing cavity in the interior middle wall of the middle teeth tray section extending from the top surface into the body of the middle interior wall and extending through the transverse thickness of the middle interior wall so that an air passage is formed in the wearer's mouth through the breathing cavity in the interior middle wall and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. 
 
     
     
         5 . A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's upper row of teeth, the mouthguard comprising:
 a. a teeth protecting section including a first upper teeth tray section having a first transverse wall, a first exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a first interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the first transverse wall to an interior side, a second teeth tray section having a second transverse wall, a second exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the second transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a second interior wall having a body and extending upwardly from the second transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the second transverse wall to an interior side, and a middle teeth tray section having a middle transverse wall, a middle exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a middle interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the middle exterior wall to an interior side, the three transverse walls aligned, the three exterior walls aligned and the three interior walls aligned so that when the upper row of teeth are placed in the mouthguard, the upper row of teeth rest on the three aligned transverse walls and are protected by the three aligned exterior walls adjacent an exterior surface of the upper row of teeth and by the three aligned interior walls adjacent an interior surface of the upper row of teeth, the three aligned interior walls surrounding a central area of the mouthguard which leads to a wearer's throat;   b. a multiplicity of breathing holes in the first exterior wall of the first teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the first exterior wall and a multiplicity of breathing holes in the second exterior wall of the second teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the second exterior wall so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the first and second exterior walls and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat.   
     
     
         6 . The mouthguard in accordance with  claim 5  further comprising:
 a. a multiplicity of breathing holes in the exterior middle wall of the middle teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the middle exterior wall so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the middle exterior wall and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. 
 
     
     
         7 . A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's upper row of teeth, the mouthguard comprising:
 a. a teeth protecting section including a first upper teeth tray section having a first transverse wall, a first exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall and ten terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a first interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the first transverse wall to an interior side, a second teeth tray section having a second transverse wall, a second exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the second transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a second interior wall having a body and extending upwardly from the second transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the second transverse wall to an interior side, and a middle teeth tray section having a middle transverse wall, a middle exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a middle interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the middle exterior wall to an interior side, the three transverse walls aligned, the three exterior walls aligned and the three interior walls aligned so that when the upper row of teeth are placed in the mouthguard, the upper row of teeth rest on the three aligned transverse walls and are protected by the three aligned exterior walls adjacent an exterior surface of the upper row of teeth and by the three aligned interior walls adjacent an interior surface of the upper row of teeth, the three aligned interior walls surrounding a central area of the mouthguard which leads to a wearer's throat;   b. a multiplicity of breathing holes in the first interior wall of the first teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the first interior wall and a multiplicity of breathing holes in the second interior wall of the second teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the second interior wall so that an air passage is formed through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the first and second interior walls and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat.   
     
     
         8 . The mouthguard in accordance with  claim 7  further comprising:
 a. a multiplicity of breathing holes in the interior middle wall of the middle teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the middle interior wall so that an air passage is formed through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the middle interior wall and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. 
 
     
     
         9 . A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's upper row of teeth, the mouthguard comprising:
 a. a teeth protecting section including a first upper teeth tray section having a first transverse wall of a given thickness extending from an interior surface to an exterior surface, a first exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall, and a first interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall, a second teeth tray section having a second transverse wall of a given thickness extending from an interior surface to an exterior surface, a second exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the second transverse wall, and a second interior wall having a body and extending upwardly from the second transverse wall, and a middle teeth tray section having a middle transverse wall of a given thickness extending from an interior surface to an exterior surface, a middle exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall, and a middle interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall, the three transverse walls aligned, the three exterior walls aligned and the three interior walls aligned so that when the upper row of teeth are placed in the mouthguard, the upper row of teeth rest on the three aligned transverse walls and are protected by the three aligned exterior walls adjacent an exterior surface of the upper row of teeth and by the three aligned interior walls adjacent an interior surface of the upper row of teeth, the three aligned interior walls surrounding a central area of the mouthguard which leads to a wearer's throat;   b. a multiplicity of breathing holes in the first transverse wall of the first teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the first transverse wall and a multiplicity of breathing holes in the second transverse wall of the second teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the second transverse wall so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the first and second transverse walls and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat.   
     
     
         10 . The mouthguard in accordance with  claim 9  further comprising:
 a. a multiplicity of breathing holes in the transverse middle wall of the middle teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the middle transverse wall so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the middle transverse wall and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat. 
 
     
     
         11 . A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's upper row of teeth, the mouthguard comprising:
 a. a teeth protecting section including a first upper teeth tray section having a first transverse wall, a first exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a first interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the first transverse wall to an interior side, a second teeth tray section having a second transverse wall, a second exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the second transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a second interior wall having a body and extending upwardly from the second transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the second transverse wall to an interior side, and a middle teeth tray section having a middle transverse wall, a middle exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a middle interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from a side facing the middle exterior wall to an interior side, the three transverse walls aligned, the three exterior walls aligned and the three interior walls aligned so that when the upper row of teeth are placed in the mouthguard, the upper row of teeth rest on the three aligned transverse walls and are protected by the three aligned exterior walls adjacent an exterior surface of the upper row of teeth and by the three aligned interior walls adjacent an interior surface of the upper row of teeth, the three aligned interior walls surrounding a central area of the mouthguard which leads to a wearer's throat;   b. at least one breathing cavity in at least one first exterior wall of either the first teeth tray section extending from the top surface into the body of the first exterior wall and extending through the transverse thickness of the first exterior wall or the second exterior wall of the second teeth tray section extending from the top surface into the body of the second exterior wall and extending through the transverse thickness of the second exterior wall so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth through the at least one breathing cavity and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat.   
     
     
         12 . A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's upper row of teeth, the mouthguard comprising:
 a. a teeth protecting section including a first upper teeth tray section having a first transverse wall, a first exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a first interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall, a second teeth tray section having a second transverse wall, a second exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the second transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a second interior wall having a body and extending upwardly from the second transverse wall, and a middle teeth tray section having a middle transverse wall, a middle exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall and terminating in a top surface and having a transverse thickness extending from an exterior side to an interior side, and a middle interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall, the three transverse walls aligned, the three exterior walls aligned and the three interior walls aligned so that when the upper row of teeth are placed in the mouthguard, the upper row of teeth rest on the three aligned transverse walls and are protected by the three aligned exterior walls adjacent an exterior surface of the upper row of teeth and by the three aligned interior walls adjacent an interior surface of the upper row of teeth, the three aligned interior walls surrounding a central area of the mouthguard which leads to a wearer's throat; and   b. a multiplicity of breathing holes extending through the thickness of at least one exterior wall of either the first teeth tray section or the second teeth tray section so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth through the breathing holes and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat.   
     
     
         13 . A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's upper row of teeth, the mouthguard comprising:
 a. a teeth protecting section including a first upper teeth tray section having a first transverse wall of a given thickness extending from an interior surface to an exterior surface, a first exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall, and a first interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall, a second teeth tray section having a second transverse wall of a given thickness extending from an interior surface to an exterior surface, a second exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the second transverse wall, and a second interior wall having a body and extending upwardly from the second transverse wall, and a middle teeth tray section having a middle transverse wall of a given thickness extending from an interior surface to an exterior surface, a middle exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall, and a middle interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall, the three transverse walls aligned, the three exterior walls aligned and the three interior walls aligned so that when the upper row of teeth are placed in the mouthguard, the upper row of teeth rest on the three aligned transverse walls and are protected by the three aligned exterior walls adjacent an exterior surface of the upper row of teeth and by the three aligned interior walls adjacent an interior surface of the upper row of teeth, the three aligned interior walls surrounding a central area of the mouthguard which leads to a wearer's throat;   b. a multiplicity of breathing holes in at least the first transverse wall of the first teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the first transverse wall or in the second transverse wall of the second teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the second transverse wall so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the first or second transverse walls and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat.   
     
     
         14 . A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's upper row of teeth, the mouthguard comprising:
 a. a teeth protecting section including a first upper teeth tray section having a first transverse wall of a given thickness extending from an interior surface to an exterior surface, a first exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall, and a first interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the first transverse wall, a second teeth tray section having a second transverse wall of a given thickness extending from an interior surface to an exterior surface, a second exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the second transverse wall, and a second interior wall having a body and extending upwardly from the second transverse wall, and a middle teeth tray section having a middle transverse wall of a given thickness extending from an interior surface to an exterior surface, a middle exterior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall, and a middle interior wall having a body extending upwardly from the middle transverse wall, the three transverse walls aligned, the three exterior walls aligned and the three interior walls aligned so that when the upper row of teeth are placed in the mouthguard, the upper row of teeth rest on the three aligned transverse walls and are protected by the three aligned exterior walls adjacent an exterior surface of the upper row of teeth and by the three aligned interior walls adjacent an interior surface of the upper row of teeth, the three aligned interior walls surrounding a central area of the mouthguard which leads to a wearer's throat;   b. a multiplicity of breathing holes in the middle transverse wall of the middle teeth tray section extending through the transverse thickness of the middle transverse wall so that an air passage is formed from outside of the mouthguard in the wearer's mouth through the multiplicity of breathing holes in the middle transverse wall and into the center area of the mouthguard so that air can pass to a wearer's throat.   
     
     
         15 . A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's teeth, the mouthguard comprising:
 a. a body into which teeth are inserted to protect the teeth; and   b. a multiplicity of spaced apart breathing cavities in the body, each of which extends from an upper surface of the body into a portion of a sidewall of the body so that air passages are formed so that air can pass from locations in the wearer's mouth to a wearer's throat.   
     
     
         16 . A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's teeth, the mouthguard comprising:
 a. a body into which teeth are inserted to protect the teeth; and   b. at least one breathing cavity in the body which extends from an upper surface of the body into a portion of a sidewall of the body so that an air passage is formed so that air can pass from locations in the wearer's mouth to a wearer's throat.   
     
     
         17 . A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's teeth, the mouthguard comprising:
 a. a body into which teeth are inserted to protect the teeth; and   b. a multiplicity of spaced apart breathing openings each extending through a sidewall of the body so that air passages are formed so that air can pass from locations in the wearer's mouth to a wearer's throat.   
     
     
         18 . A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's teeth, the mouthguard comprising:
 a. a body into which teeth are inserted to protect the teeth; and   b. a multiplicity of spaced apart breathing openings each extending through a bottom wall of the body so that air passages are formed so that air can pass from locations in the wearer's mouth to a wearer's throat.   
     
     
         19 . A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's teeth, the mouthguard comprising:
 a. a body into which teeth are inserted to protect the teeth; and   b. at least one breathing opening extending through a sidewall of the body so that an air passage is formed so that air can pass from locations in the wearer's mouth to a wearer's throat.   
     
     
         20 . A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's teeth, the mouthguard comprising:
 a. a body into which teeth are inserted to protect the teeth; and   b. at least one breathing opening extending through a bottom wall of the body so that an air passage is formed so that air can pass from locations in the to wearer's mouth to a wearer's throat.   
     
     
         21 . A mouthguard for protecting a wearer's teeth, the mouthguard comprising:
 a. a teeth protecting section having at least a horizontally aligned transverse wall and an exterior sidewall aligned generally perpendicular to the transverse wall; and   b. air passage means in a least one portion of the teeth protection section to enable air to travel from inside the wearer's mouth to a wearer's throat.   
     
     
         22 . The mouthguard in accordance with  claim 21  wherein the air passage means comprises a multiplicity of spaced apart openings extending through the horizontally aligned transverse wall. 
     
     
         23 . The mouthguard in accordance with  claim 21  wherein the air passage means comprises at least one opening extending through the horizontally aligned transverse wall. 
     
     
         24 . The mouthguard in accordance with  claim 21  wherein the air passage means comprises a multiplicity of spaced apart openings extending through the exterior sidewall. 
     
     
         25 . The mouthguard in accordance with  claim 21  wherein the air passage means comprises at least one opening extending through the exterior sidewall. 
     
     
         26 . The mouthguard in accordance with  claim 21  wherein the air passage means comprises a multiplicity of spaced apart cavities from an upper surface of the exterior sidewall into a portion of the exterior sidewall. 
     
     
         27 . The mouthguard in accordance with  claim 21  wherein the air passage means comprises at least one cavity extending from an upper surface of the exterior sidewall into a portion of the exterior sidewall.