A respiratory mouthpiece for a toothless person comprising a conduit having an outside open end and an inside open end and adapted to pass untreated atmospheric air from the outside open end to the inside open end. A shield is connected to the conduit adjacent its outside open end to prevent the mouthpiece from being swallowed when the mouthpiece is inserted between the gums of a toothless person. A plurality of perforations in the outer surface of the conduit increase the distribution of inhaled air in the oral cavity. An air filter connected inside the conduit intermediate its open ends purifies the inhaled air from possible pollutants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention generally relates to respiratory mouthpieces, and more 
particularly to aerated respiratory mouthpieces for separating the gums of 
toothless persons so they can breath ambient air. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
Mouthpieces for controlling the flow of gases into the respiratory system 
are well known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,143, filed Dec. 21, 1987 
and granted Jan. 23, 1990, discloses mouthpieces for controlling the 
communication of gas entering and leaving the respiratory system by 
sealing off gases in the ambient environment. However, such mouthpieces 
require teeth as part of the sealing mechanism and are not useful for 
toothless persons. 
Other devices for controlling the flow of gases into the respiratory system 
are essentially hoods or gas masks. Examples of such devices are disclosed 
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,098,270 granted Jul. 4, 1978 for a Smoke Mask 
Apparatus; U.S. Pat. No. 3,020,911 granted Feb. 13, 1962 for a Mask; U.S. 
Pat. No. 2,385,938 granted Oct. 2, 1945 for a Gas Filter; U.S. Pat. No. 
1,978,994 granted Oct. 30, 1934 for a Protective Helmet; U.S. Pat. No. 
1,362,766 granted Dec. 21, 1920 for a Gas Mask; U.S. Pat. No. 893,213 
granted Jul. 14, 1908 for a Respirator, and U.S. Pat. No. 838,434 granted 
Dec. 11, 1906 for a Respirator. The purpose of these masks is to prevent 
the inhalation of air or gases in the ambient environment rather than for 
breathing ambient air. 
Other devices for controlling the flow of gases into the respiratory system 
are essentially inhalers for medicating respiratory passages with 
medicated ambient air. Examples of such devices are U.S. Pat. No. 
1,476,194 granted Dec. 4, 1923 for an Inhaler; U.S. Pat. No. 1,418,182 
granted May 30, 1922 for an Inhaler, and U.S. Pat. No. 770,013 granted 
Sep. 13, 1904 for an Inhaler. These devices are for changing the 
characteristics of inhaled air rather than for permitting inhalation of 
unmedicated ambient air. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is the main object of the invention to provide a respiratory mouthpiece 
for toothless persons in order to secure a continuous supply of oxygen to 
the oral cavity during any time when the nasal air passages are completely 
obstructed. 
It is another object of the invention to provide a respiratory mouthpiece 
for stabilizing the equilibrium of the nasal, oral and all other adjacent 
membrane and muscle tissues when a condition of toothlessness and the 
absence of normal dental articulation is prevailing in the oral cavity. 
It is further object of the invention to provide a safe and inexpensive 
aerated respiratory mouthpiece. 
Briefly, in accordance with the invention, these and other objects are 
achieved by a respiratory mouthpiece for a toothless person comprising a 
conduit having an outside open end and an inside open end which is adapted 
to pass untreated atmospheric air from the outside open end to the inside 
open end. A shield is connected to the conduit adjacent its outside open 
end to prevent the mouthpiece from being swallowed when the mouthpiece is 
inserted between the gums of a toothless person. 
A feature of the invention is a plurality of perforations in the outer 
surface of the conduit to increase the distribution of inhaled air in the 
oral cavity. 
Another feature of the invention is an air filter connected inside the 
conduit intermediate its open ends to purify the inhaled air from possible 
pollutants. 
A principal advantage of the invention is that it can easily be used by a 
toothless infant to prevent asphyxiation when the nasal passages are 
blocked. 
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent 
from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in 
connection with the figures of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The respiratory mouthpiece, which also functions as an aerated respiratory 
oral gum separator, is of tubular, rectangular or other form. It is 
preferably made of latex, rubber or any plastic material and is 
comfortable to keep in a person's mouth. The respiratory mouthpiece 
measures about 1/4 to 11/4 inches wide and about 1 to 11/2 inches in 
length. Its purpose is to supplement a deficient dental articulation and 
to augment a failing inhalatory capability of the person using it. 
Referring to FIG. 1, the tubular respiratory mouthpiece comprises a conduit 
1 having a hollow airway 2 through its entire length between its ends 3 to 
allow the entrance and flow of atmospheric air into the oral cavity and 
pulmonary organs of the person using it. 
Conduit 1 has a multitude of little holes or perforations 4 all over its 
outer surface or wall on the portion which is inserted in a person's oral 
cavity. The purpose of perforations 4 is the thorough distribution of the 
inhaled ambient air in the oral channel. 
A circular shield 5 is orthogonally connected to the outer surface of 
conduit 1 adjacent the outside end 3, preferably molded as part of the 
respiratory mouthpiece. When the mouthpiece is in use shield 5 is located 
in front of the lips and prevents accidental swallowing of the mouthpiece. 
Inside conduit 1, fully crossing the airway, is a filter 6 to purify the 
inhaled atmospheric air from possible pollutants. 
Corresponding parts of the FIG. 2 rectangular embodiment of the respiratory 
mouthpiece invention bear the same reference characters as in the tubular 
mouthpiece of FIG. 1 and function in the same way. 
Referring to FIG. 2, conduit 1 of the mouthpiece is in a flat shape; that 
is, it has a rectangular cross section. Shield 5 is rectangular in shape. 
Filter 6 is also rectangular in shape.