Abstract:
A device for dilating nasal passageway which includes a resilient bar having pads on opposite ends for insertion into respective nasal passageways and the bar when bent causes a biasing outward force on the pads to dilate the anterior section of the nasal cavity with said bar having notches thereon which can be selectively cut to reduce the bearing force on the pads.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is directed towards a device for facilitating respiration or breathing. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present device is of the type used to expand the air passages in nostrils. Such devices have been used in the past to improve breathing, eliminate or reduce snoring or as surgical aid among other things. 
     Devices which have been used in this regard include U.S. Pat. No. 1,709,740 issued Apr. 16, 1929 to Rogers. This reference shows the use of a nasal distender using a wire bridge between two u-shaped members which contact the inner walls of the nose. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 1,950,839 issued Mar. 13, 1934 to Cherila discloses a dilator using a metal bridge between two suction members attached to the outside of the nostrils to pull them outward keeping the nostrils open. 
     With regard to U.S. Pat. No 3,710,799 issued Jan. 16, 1973 to Caballero, it discloses a pair of spherical cages for insertion into the nostrils which are joined by a chain. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,201,217 issued May 6, 1980 to Slater, there is disclosed a nostril enlarger having a u-shaped member having opposite posterior protuberances biased outwardly for positioning in the nostril cavity. A bridge therebetween is the opposite protuberances apart the proper distance. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,414,977 issued Nov. 15, 1983 to Rezakhany shows another variation of a nasal dilator. Lastly, U.S. Design Pat. No. 310,565 issued Sep. 11, 1990 to Petruson shows a device for insertion into the nose having two end portions having raised protuberances interconnected by a bridge. 
     While all of the foregoing devices have attendant advantages and disadvantages, there exist a need to provide for a nasal dilator which is relatively simple yet effective whilst allowing for the device to be tailored for the particular individual using it. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a principal object of the invention to provide for a nasal dilator which is relatively simple yet effective. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide for a nasal dilator that can be readily adjusted so as to allow it to be tailored to a particular individual. 
     The present invention provides for a nasal dilator which is made of plastic or silicone and comprises opposite curved pads located at the ends of a resilient bar having a center member thereon. The dilator is flexible with the pads squeezed together for insertion into respective nostrils. The resilient bar and centering member then biases the pad outward so as to dilate the anterior section of the nasal cavity. Included on the centering member are a series of notches one or more of which can be cut so as to reduce the biasing nature of the centering member thereby allowing the force of the device to be adjusted for varying needs of the individual. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Thus by the present invention its objects and advantages will be realized, the description of which should be taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the nasal dilator incorporating the teachings of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top side view of the nasal dilator shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the pad portion of the nasal dilator shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the nasal dilator incorporating the teachings of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a top side view of the nasal dilator shown in FIG. 4; and 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the pad portion of the nasal dilator shown in FIGS.  4  and  5 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in the FIGS. 1-3 a nasal dilator which may be integrally constructed out of a suitable plastic material (eg. soft, clear and resilient), silicone of approximately 50-70 durometer or other material suitable for purpose. The characteristics of the material used should allow the device to be flexible and resilient as will more fully become apparent. The dilator  10  included an elongated resilient bar having a center member  14  thereon. The bar  12  has positioned on its opposite ends slightly curved pads  16  and  18 . The pads  16  and  18  have a radius on the x-axis and y-axis and are of a somewhat triangular shape which match the appropriate anatomy of the anterior section of the nasal cavity. This provides a comfortable fit and ease in conforming to the interior shape of the nostrils. The shape of the pads  16  and  18  force a user to insert the upper ends of the pad first, then lock them into place by inserting the lower end of the pad. Included on the pads  16  and  18  are respective raised ridge portions  20  and  22 . 
     The resilient bar  12  includes a somewhat straight portion  24  and respective angled portions  26  and  28  which are seen most clearly in FIG. 2 terminate in the pad  16  and  18 . 
     The center member  14  traverses the resilient bar  12 , is centrally located thereon, and may be made of the same material as bar  12 . Included on member  14  are a plurality of notches  30 . 
     In use, the dilator  10  is resiliently bent into a u-shape and the pad members  16  and  18  inserted into respective nasal cavities. Bar  12  causes an outwardly bearing force on pads  16  and  18  so as to dilate the anterior section of the nasal cavity. Pads  16  and  18  are held rigid by the ridges  20  and  22  bordering the pads. The ridges  20  and  22  also prevent the device from slipping. The angle_of the pads  16  and  18 , (which is approximately 115° from the longitudinal axis of the bar  12 ) also position the resilient bar  12  against the skin above the upper lip. The pads will remain stable in the anterior section of the nasal cavity once positioned, as a result of the angle (i.e. approximately 115°), the triangular shape, the curvature, and the circumferential ridges  20  and  22 . 
     In that the resiliency of bar  12  causes the bearing force on the pads  16  and  18  and the center member  14  is a part thereof, a cutting or fracturing of one or more of the notches  30  will reduce the bearing force on the pads  16  and  18 . Thus depending upon the number of notches  30  cut, the desired bearing force can be adjusted so as to accomodate the needs or comfort of the particular individual using it. 
     As to the overall dimensions of the dilator  10 , its length is approximately 3″, width 0.20″ with the center bar being approximately 1.34″, and a width of 0.13″ and the notches have a dimension of 0.5 mm×0.5 mm. These dimensions are by no means exclusive but rather illustrate as an example the dimensions the dilator  10  may have. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 4-6, like parts are similarly numbered with, however, a prime. The nasal dilator  10 ′ is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1-3 except that wings or increased portions  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  have been added to pads  16 ′ and  18 ′. These tend to increase the stability of the dilator  10 ′ in larger nostrils and reduce the possibility of slipping out of position. The pads  16 ′ and  18 ′ are approximately 20% larger than pads  16  and  18 . In all other respects (except for a slight configuration of ridge portions  20 ′ and  22 ′), the dilators  10  and  10 ′ are the same. 
     Thus by the present invention its objects and advantages are realized and, although a preferred embodiment has been disclosed and described in detail herein, its scope should not be limited thereby rather its scope should be determined by that of the appended claims wherein: