Abstract:
The invention described herein relates to a mouth exerciser for providing a variable resistive force against which a user may exercise their mouth and jaw muscles. The apparatus may be selectively configured between a plurality of resistive force settings, thereby enabling a user to adjust their exercise routine as desired. The mouth exerciser may be particularly adapted to fit the topography of a particular user&#39;s oral cavity and may be easily disassembled for storage and transport.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates to an apparatus for strengthening jaw muscles. More particularly, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus for providing a variable force against which a user&#39;s jaw muscles may be exercised. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Mouth exercisers are known in the art. However, existing mouth exercisers often only permit a user to exercise their mouth and jaw at a single resistive force. Further, many mouth exercisers known in the art are only available as a “one-size-fits-all” type of device. Accordingly, when exercising at higher resistive forces, injury to the teeth, mouth, and face resulting from misalignment or slippage of the device may occur. Thus, a need exists in the art for a variable resistive force mouth exerciser that may be adapted to fit a user&#39;s particular mouth. The mouth exerciser of the present disclosure is aimed at overcoming this and other needs in the art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The embodiments described herein relate to a mouth exerciser for providing a variable resistive force against which a user may exercise their jaw muscles. 
         [0004]    The embodiments have several important advantages. For example, this disclosure provides a mouth exerciser that is adjustable between a plurality of resistive forces. 
         [0005]    Another advantage includes providing a mouth exerciser that may be adapted to fit the topography of a particular user&#39;s oral cavity. 
         [0006]    Yet another advantage includes providing at least one tension coil for providing a resistive force. 
         [0007]    Still yet another advantage includes providing a mouth exerciser that may be disassembled for simplified storage. 
         [0008]    The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the embodiments in order that the detailed description of the embodiments that follows may be better understood so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following descriptions, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the mouth exerciser of the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the mouth exerciser of the present disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a side view of an embodiment of the mouth exerciser of the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a front view of an embodiment of the mouth exerciser of the present disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of an embodiment of the mouth exerciser of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a front view of an embodiment of the tension adjustor of the present disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the mouth exerciser of the present disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8A  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a stabilizer plate of the present disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8B  is an partial exploded perspective view of the embodiment of a stabilizer plate depicted in  FIG. 8A ; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 8C  is another embodiment of a stabilizer plate of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PARTS LIST 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 mouth exerciser 
               
               
                 12 
                 mouthpiece 
               
               
                 14 
                 first end of mouthpiece 
               
               
                 16 
                 second end of mouth piece 
               
               
                 18 
                 arcuate extent of mouthpiece 
               
               
                 20 
                 upper surface of mouthpiece 
               
               
                 22 
                 lower surface of mouthpiece 
               
               
                 24 
                 raised ridge 
               
               
                 26 
                 mouthpiece tray 
               
               
                 28 
                 first end of tray 
               
               
                 30 
                 second end of tray 
               
               
                 32 
                 arcuate extent of tray 
               
               
                 34 
                 upper surface of tray 
               
               
                 36 
                 lower surface of tray 
               
               
                 38 
                 raised edges of tray 
               
               
                 40 
                 primary tension coil 
               
               
                 42 
                 first end of primary coil 
               
               
                 44 
                 second end of primary coil 
               
               
                 46 
                 coiled extent of primary coil 
               
               
                 48 
                 pin 
               
               
                 50 
                 lock washer 
               
               
                 52 
                 connector plate 
               
               
                 54 
                 first end of connector plate 
               
               
                 56 
                 second end of connector plate 
               
               
                 58 
                 aperture of connector plate 
               
               
                 60 
                 secondary tension coil 
               
               
                 62 
                 first end of secondary coil 
               
               
                 64 
                 second end of secondary coil 
               
               
                 66 
                 coiled extent of secondary coil 
               
               
                 68 
                 stabilizer plate 
               
               
                 70 
                 tension plate 
               
               
                 72 
                 tension adjustor 
               
               
                 74 
                 primary aperture of adjustor 
               
               
                 76 
                 secondary aperture of adjustor 
               
               
                 78 
                 detents of primary aperture 
               
               
                 80 
                 rail of primary tension coil 
               
               
                 82 
                 first orientation of adjustor 
               
               
                 84 
                 second orientation of adjustor 
               
               
                 86 
                 additional tension coil 
               
               
                 88 
                 first end of additional coil 
               
               
                 90 
                 second end of additional coil 
               
               
                 92 
                 coiled extent of additional coil 
               
               
                 94 
                 long stabilizer plate 
               
               
                 96 
                 long tension plate 
               
               
                 98 
                 second tension adjustor 
               
               
                 100 
                 first member of stabilizer plate 
               
               
                 102 
                 second member of stabilizer plate 
               
               
                 104 
                 locking pin 
               
               
                 106 
                 U member of stabilizer 
               
               
                 108 
                 locking plate 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    The present disclosure relates to a mouth exerciser apparatus  10  for strengthening a jaw. The various components of the present invention, and the manner in which they interrelate, are described in greater detail hereinafter. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment of the invention depicted in  FIGS. 1-6 , the mouth exerciser  10  includes a pair of mouthpieces  12  capable of being molded to the upper and lower teeth, respectively, of the user. For example, each mouthpiece  12  may be comprised of any commercially available material that temporarily softens upon heating and subsequently re-hardens upon cooling. Thus, while in its soft form, a user may bite each respective mouthpiece  12  to conform or mold the mouthpiece to their individual bite prior to exercising. Further, it is envisioned that the mouthpieces  12  be removable for replacement, cleaning, and/or storage as desired. 
         [0023]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , each mouthpiece  12  includes a first end  14 , a second end  16 , and an arcuate extent  18  therebetween. Each mouthpiece  12  further comprises upper  20  and lower surfaces  22 , the lower surface  22  being substantially flat and the upper surface including a pair of raised ridges  24  extending from the first end  14  to the second end  16 . In one embodiment, the raised ridges  24  are defined by opposing side walls extending upward to an upper surface  20 . Together the raised ridges  24  confine the forward and rearward surfaces of the user&#39;s upper and/or lower teeth. 
         [0024]    With reference now to  FIG. 2 , the mouth exerciser  10  of the present disclosure may include a pair of mouthpiece trays  26  for receiving a corresponding mouthpiece  12 , each tray  26  including a first end  28 , a second end  30 , and an arcuate extent  32  therebetween. In one embodiment, the overall shape of each tray  26  is similar to that of each mouthpiece  12 . Each tray  26  may further comprise an upper  34  and a lower surface  36 , the lower surface  36  being substantially flat and the upper surface  34  including a pair of raised edges  38  extending from the first end  28  to the second end  30 , wherein the lower surface  22  and the raised ridges  24  of each mouthpiece  12  are frictionally engaged to the upper surface  34  and the raised edges  38  of each tray, thereby holding each mouthpiece  12  in place. Any known means for situating the mouthpieces in place may be used, including but not limited to sticking, gluing, snapping, or other equivalent removeably connective means. 
         [0025]    In order to provide a resistive force against which a mouth may be exercised and strengthened, an embodiment of the mouth exerciser  10  disclosed herein and depicted in  FIG. 1-6 , includes a primary tension coil  40  having a first end  42 , a second end  44 , and a coiled extent  46  therebetween. The tension coils described herein may be substituted with any number of resistive force-creating devices, including but not limited to springs, hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic cylinders, and the like. Accordingly, other resistive force-creating devices are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0026]    Each end of the primary tension coil  40  may include a pin  48  or other connector means for operably coupling the primary tension coil  40  to each mouthpiece tray  26  prior to use. In the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 1-6 , the mouth exerciser  10  disclosed herein further includes a pair of connector plates  52  for coupling the mouthpiece trays  26  to the primary tension coil  40 , each connector plate  54  having a first end  54  and a second end  56 , the first end  54  of each plate  52  connected to the lower surface  36  of the corresponding tray  26  and the second end  56  of each plate  52  including an aperture  58 . Each pin  48  may be removeably positioned through the aperture  58  of the corresponding connector plate  52  for forming a physical link between the primary tension coil  40  and the corresponding mouthpiece tray  26 . The pin  48  may be secured to the tray  26  by a lock washer  50  or other equivalent securing means, including but not limited to a threaded nut, a clip, a secondary tension pin, and the like. 
         [0027]    Exemplary embodiments of the primary tension coil  40  described herein has first and second (i.e. decompressed and compressed) orientations. In the first orientation the distance between the first  42  and second  44  ends is greater than in the second orientation. In the embodiments depicted herein, the primary tension coil  40  is biased in the first orientation, thereby providing a first resistive force against which a user may exercise their jaw. Thus, a user must overcome the force of this biased first orientation by biting down on the mouthpieces  12  of the apparatus  10  to achieve the second orientation, thereby exercising their mouth and jaw muscles. 
         [0028]    For selectively providing a second resistive force against which the mouth is exercised, the embodiments of the mouth exerciser  10  depicted in  FIGS. 1-6  includes a pair of secondary tension coils  60  having a first end  62 , a second end  64 , and a coiled extent  66  therebetween. In the embodiments depicted herein, the secondary coils  60  each adopt the same general configuration as the primary tension coil  40 , but the second ends  64  of each secondary coil  60  are slightly shorter in length than the second ends  44  of the primary tension coil  40 . 
         [0029]    The secondary coils  60  may be secured adjacent the primary coil  40  by a stabilizer plate  68 .  FIGS. 8A-8C  depict various exemplary embodiments of the stabilizer plate  68  of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the stabilizer plate  68  may be telescopic as depicted in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , which allows for accommodating additional tension coils by either increasing or decreasing the width of the stabilizer plate  68  as desired. A telescopic embodiment may include a first member  100  slidably received by a second member  102 , the two members being held in place by a locking pin  104 . In another embodiment, such as that depicted in  FIG. 8C , the stabilizer plate  68  may be selectively opened on one end and placed around the coils. For example, the stabilizer plate  68  may include a U member  106  and a hinged locking plate  108 . The locking plate  108  may be held in a closed position by a series of screws, pins, or other means for stably locking the stabilizer plate  68 . 
         [0030]    In a manner similar to that described herein for the primary tension coil  40 , each secondary coil  60  also has first and second orientations. The first orientation (i.e. decompressed orientation) of each secondary coil  60  is characterized by having a greater distance between the first  62  and second  64  ends than the second (i.e. compressed) orientation. The secondary tension coils  60  are also biased in the first orientation. Because the secondary tension coils  60  are shorter than the primary tension coil  40 , greater force is required to achieve the second, compressed orientation. 
         [0031]    Additional coils  86  may be used to further increase the resistive force of the mouth exerciser  10  described herein. As depicted in  FIG. 7 , the second ends  90  of any additional coils  86  may be shorter than the second ends  64  of the secondary coils  60 , thereby providing an additional resistive force setting beyond the first and second resistive force settings. The use of additional coils having additional coiled extents  92  may necessitate a need for a longer stabilizer plate  94 , a longer tension plate  96 , and a second tension adjustor  98 , the functions and characteristics of which are described in greater detail hereinafter. 
         [0032]    Further, the use of secondary and/or additional coils of a length similar to that of the primary coil, but having a greater resistance to movement from the biased orientation than the primary coil, may also be used to achieve the objectives of the embodiments described herein. 
         [0033]    The embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1-6  further comprises a rectangular tension plate  70  operably engaging the first ends  42 ,  62  of the primary  40  and each secondary  60  tension coil so that the first ends  40 ,  62  remain stationary relative to one another during compression and decompression of the coils when exercising. In another embodiment, the tension plate  70  may be slidably adjustable along the first end  42  of the primary tension coil  40  and the first ends  62  of each secondary tension coil  60 . In yet another embodiment, the tension plate  70  may be replaced by a second tension adjustor  72  that slidably engages the first end  42  of the primary tension coil  40  and the first ends  62  of each secondary tension coil  60  substantially as described herein. 
         [0034]    In the embodiments depicted in  FIG. 1-6 , a tension adjustor  72  is provided for engaging the second ends  44 ,  64  of the primary  40  and secondary  60  tension coils. One embodiment of the tension adjustor  72  is depicted in  FIG. 6 . The tension adjustor  72  may be generally rectangular in shape and include a primary aperture  74  and a pair of secondary apertures  76 . Embodiments providing for the use of additional tension coils beyond the primary and secondary coils necessitates a need for additional apertures formed within the tension adjustor for selectively engaging the additional coils (see  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0035]    In one embodiment, the primary aperture  74  of the tension adjustor  72  is slidably received by the second end  44  of the primary tension coil  40  and includes a pair of detents  78  for engaging at least one ridge or rail  80  formed along the second end  44  of the primary tension coil  40 . The interactions between the detents  78  of the tension adjustor  72  and the ridges or rails  80  of the primary tension coil  40  serve to prevent rotation of the tension adjustor  72  about the primary tension coil  40  and maintain the tension adjustor&#39;s  72  alignment with the second ends  64  of the secondary tension coils  60  when selective engagement of the secondary tension coils  60  is desired. The interaction between the detents  78  and the ridges  80  further prevent the tension adjustor  72  from sliding along the length of the second end  44  of the primary coil  40  while exercising, thereby maintaining the mouth exerciser  10  in the selected resistive-force setting. 
         [0036]    In one variable resistive force embodiment of the present invention, the tension adjustor  72  has a first orientation  82  and a second orientation  84  (see  FIG. 2 ). In the first orientation  82  the tension adjustor  72  engages only the second end  44  of the primary tension coil  40 . In the second orientation  84 , the tension adjustor  72  engages both the second end  44  of the primary tension coil  40  and the second ends  64  of each secondary tension coil  60 , thereby increasing the resistive force against which the mouth and jaw muscles may be exercised. Thus, a user may increase or decrease the resistive force against which their mouth and jaw muscles are exercised by configuring the tension adjustor  72  accordingly. 
         [0037]    It is envisioned that the various components of the embodiments of invention described in  FIGS. 1-7  may be removable, interchangeable, and replaceable. The mouth exerciser may be provided as a kit of disassembled parts which may be assembled according to the desired number of tension coils. A series if stabilizer plates, tension plates, and tension adjustors for accommodating the selected number of coils may be provided. The kit may further include a storage case or bag for transport of the various components of the embodiments of the mouth exerciser described herein. 
         [0038]    Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.