IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,607,796
Granted Patent B2
US 8,607,796 · App. 12/712,931 · Granted Dec 17, 2013

Apparatus and method for coupling an oral appliance to a gas delivery device

Inventor: W. Keith Thornton (Dallas, TX)
Assignee: Airway Technologies, LLC
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,607,796
App. No.
12/712,931
Granted
Dec 17, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

According to one embodiment, an apparatus for coupling an oral appliance to a gas delivery device includes a post, a swivel, and first and second opposing clamps. The post includes a base configured to couple to the oral appliance; a first arm extending from the base and defining a channel extending along a portion of the first arm; and a second arm extending from the base, extending substantially parallel to the first arm, the second arm defining a channel extending along a portion of the second arm. The swivel is substantially spherical and is configured to position the gas delivery device. The first clamp is configured to engage and slide along the channel defined by the first arm and the second clamp is configured to engage and slide along the channel defined by the second arm. The first and second opposing clamps are together configured to position and secure the location and orientation of the swivel relative to the post.

Claims (16)

1. An apparatus for coupling an oral appliance to a gas delivery device, comprising:

a post comprising:

a base configured to couple to the oral appliance;

a first arm extending from the base, the first arm defining a channel extending along a portion of the first arm; and

a second arm extending from the base and extending substantially parallel to the first arm, the second arm defining a channel extending along a portion of the second arm;

a substantially spherical swivel configured to position the gas delivery device; and

first and second opposing adjustable clamps;

wherein the first adjustable clamp comprises a first protrusion shaped to engage and slide along the channel defined by the first arm and the second adjustable clamp comprises a second protrusion shaped to engage and slide along the channel defined by the second arm; and

wherein the first and second opposing adjustable clamps are together configured to position and secure the location and orientation of the swivel relative to the post by applying a compressive force.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the post is integrally formed with a component of the oral appliance.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the swivel defines a substantially cylindrical opening.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the post comprises stainless steel and the swivel comprises ABS plastic or polycarbonate plastic.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the swivel is configured to couple to a platform for supporting the gas delivery device.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second arms extend substantially perpendicularly from the base.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein an angle formed at the junction of the first and second arms and the base is between sixty degrees and eighty degrees relative to a plane extending substantially along the mating surface of the base.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve covering at least a portion of the base.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 10, 2010
From: THORNTON, W. KEITH
To: AIRWAY TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 024517/0034 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61156323 · Feb 27, 2009
Related Publication 20100218773A1 · Sep 2, 2010