Jaw brace

Abstract

A brace that includes a chin support for stabilizing a patient's chin in a fixed relative position. More specifically, the chin support is maintained in a fixed position through the use of additional mechanisms such as a chest plate, an articulating arm, or a telescoping arm. The brace is used to stabilize a patient's chin when the patient's chin is placed upon the chin support.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A jaw brace comprising:
 a chest plate;   a chin support;   a rod having a top surface, said rod adjustably attached to said chest plate; and   an adjustable linkage adjustably connected to said top surface and to said chin support, wherein said adjustable linkage includes a dual ball joint, said dual ball joint including a locking mechanism comprising a pair of curved plates and a single locking screw.   
     
     
         2 . The jaw brace of  claim 1 , wherein said dual ball joint lock mechanism further comprises a single handle for compressing said curved plates. 
     
     
         3 . The jaw brace of  claim 1 , further comprising a left shoulder brace connected to said chest plate and a right should brace connected to said chest plate. 
     
     
         4 . The jaw brace of  claim 1 , wherein said rod is square in cross-section. 
     
     
         5 . The jaw brace of  claim 1 , wherein at least two straps are provided to secure the brace to a wearer's chest. 
     
     
         6 . The jaw brace of  claim 5 , wherein said straps are positioned and sized to cross each other on the wearer's posterior side. 
     
     
         7 . The jaw brace of  claim 1 , wherein said chin support is kidney shaped. 
     
     
         8 . The jaw brace of  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable connector slideably attaching said rod to said chest plate. 
     
     
         9 . A jaw brace comprising:
 a hinged adaptor with a locking mechanism, wherein the adaptor is attached to a chair;   a chin rest; and   at least one arm, wherein the at least one arm is rotatably connected on one end to the adaptor and rotatably connected on the other end to the chin rest.   
     
     
         10 . The jaw brace of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one arm includes a first rod and a second rod. 
     
     
         11 . The jaw brace of  claim 10 , wherein the second rod can slide into the first rod. 
     
     
         12 . The jaw brace of  claim 10 , wherein the first rod is rotatably connected on one end to the adapter and rotatably connected on a second end to the second rod, and the second rod is rotatably connected on one end to the first rod and rotatably connected on a second end to the chin rest. 
     
     
         13 . The jaw brace of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one arm is a straight rod. 
     
     
         14 . The jaw brace of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one arm is a curved rod. 
     
     
         15 . A jaw brace comprising:
 a connection piece;   a chest plate connected to the connection piece;   a chin rest;   a rod having a top surface, said rod adjustably attached to said chest plate; and   an adjustable linkage adjustably connected to the top surface of the rod and to the chin rest, wherein the adjustable linkage includes a dual ball joint, said dual ball joint including a locking mechanism comprising a pair of curved plates and a single locking screw.