Mouth guard retaining device

Abstract

A mouth guard retaining device is provided for retaining a mouth guard against a protective helmet when the mouth guard is not in use. The device includes an elongated member having a connection device at a lower end for connection with a portion of the helmet and a detent at another end which is operable to displace the elongated member. The member is formed of synthetic plastic material which has a limited degree of flexure so that the member is displaceable between a normal closed condition where the detent engages the helmet and an open condition where the detent is spaced from the helmet to allow the user to insert or remove the mouth guard from the device.

1 . A retaining device for a mouth guard, comprising
 (a) an elongated member;   (b) a connection device at one end of said elongated member for connecting said member with a helmet;   (c) a detent at another end of said elongated member, said detent being operable by a user to displace said member from a normal position adjacent the helmet to an extended position spaced from the helmet to receive and release the mouth guard.   
     
     
         2 . A retaining device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said elongated member is formed of a resilient material. 
     
     
         3 . A retaining device as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said elongated member is formed of synthetic plastic material. 
     
     
         4 . A retaining device as defined in  claim 3 , and further comprising an extension beyond said detent for gripping by the user to displace the detent from the normal position to the extended position. 
     
     
         5 . A retaining device as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said connection device comprises a compression fitting. 
     
     
         6 . A retaining device as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said compression fitting includes a concave recess for receiving a portion of the helmet. 
     
     
         7 . A retaining device as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said compression fitting further comprises at least one pair of aligned openings within portions of said connection device on opposite sides of said recess and a screw passing through said openings for drawing said connection device portions together, whereby when a portion of the helmet is arranged in said recess, said compression fitting is operable to clamp said elongated member on the helmet portion. 
     
     
         8 . A retaining device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said elongated member further includes a projection extending rearwardly from said member adjacent to said connection device.