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.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A mouth guard holder comprising:
 a) a substantially cylindrical body member; and   b) a strap having a first end and a second end, wherein said first and said second ends are attached to said body member.   
     
     
         2 . The mouth guard holder of  claim 1 , wherein said substantially cylindrical body member is expandable. 
     
     
         3 . The mouth guard holder of  claim 1 , wherein said substantially cylindrical body member is constructed or absorbent material. 
     
     
         4 . The mouth guard holder of  claim 1  wherein said strap is elastic. 
     
     
         5 . The mouth guard holder of  claim 1 , wherein said substantially cylindrical body member comprises:
 a) a substantially rectangular member having a first and a second end;   b) a hook and loop fastener on said first and second ends, wherein said first and second ends are joined together.   
     
     
         6 . The mouth guard holder of  claim 1 , wherein said substantially cylindrical body member has a longitudinal axis, and said strap is oriented substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         7 . The mouth guard holder of  claim 1  wherein said strap is widest at said first and second ends, and narrowest at substantially the mid-point between said first and second ends. 
     
     
         8 . A mouth guard holder apparatus comprising:
 a) a substantially cylindrical body member defining first and second edges; and   b) a strap having a first and a second end, wherein said first end is attached to said body member near said first edge, and said second end is attached to said body member near said second edge.   
     
     
         9 . The mouth guard holder of  claim 8 , wherein said substantially cylindrical body member is expandable. 
     
     
         10 . The mouth guard holder of  claim 8 , wherein said substantially cylindrical body member is constructed or absorbent material. 
     
     
         11 . The mouth guard holder of  claim 8 , wherein said strap is elastic. 
     
     
         12 . The mouth guard holder of  claim 8 , wherein said substantially cylindrical body member comprises:
 a) a substantially rectangular member having a first and a second end;   b) a hook and loop fastener on said first and second ends, wherein said first and second ends are joined together.   
     
     
         13 . The mouth guard holder of  claim 8 , wherein said substantially cylindrical body member has a longitudinal axis, and said strap is oriented substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         14 . The mouth guard holder of  claim 8 , wherein said strap is widest at said first and second ends, and narrowest at substantially the mid-point between said first and second ends. 
     
     
         15 . A method of temporarily securing a mouth guard comprising:
 a) placing a mouth guard holder on an arm, said mouth guard holder comprising:
 i) a substantially cylindrical body member defining first and second edges; and 
 ii) a strap having a first and a second end, wherein said first end is attached to said body member near said first edge, and said second end is attached to said body member near said second edge; 
   b) removing a mouth guard from a mouth;   c) temporarily securing a mouth guard between said strap and said body member.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said substantially cylindrical body member is constructed or absorbent material. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said strap is elastic. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said substantially cylindrical body member has a longitudinal axis, and said strap is oriented substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said strap is widest at said first and second ends, and narrowest at substantially the mid-point between said first and second ends.