Clarence J Anderson

US Patent:

58933654, Apr 13, 1999

Filed:

Jul 28, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/901703

Inventors:

Clarence D. Anderson - Mesa AZ

International Classification:

A61F 556

US Classification:

128848

Abstract:

An appliance for preventing snoring and sleep apnea includes a headgear and a mouthpiece. The headgear includes an adjustable headband encircling the upper portion of a user's head at the forehead; an adjustable chin strap passing over the crown of the head and under the chin of the user to maintain the user's mouth closed about the mouthpiece; a back strap passing from the forehead over the crown of the head and down the back of the user; a means secured to the rear end of the back strap for exerting a restraining force on the back strap and the upper portion of the headgear to keep the user's head from slouching forward; and an object secured to the rear end of the back strap for making it uncomfortable for the user to lie on his/her back. The mouthpiece includes a thin, flexible front sheet extending across the front of the user's mouth in front of the user's teeth to prevent breathing through the mouth and a thin, flexible back tab extending from an inner upper portion of the flexible sheet to behind the user's lower front teeth for pulling the user's lower jaw forward.