Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Meade

Thomas E. Meade has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20130014765
    Abstract: A tongue and mandibular advancement device for pulling the jaw forward and keeping the tongue in an extended position includes upper and lower inserts conforming to upper and lower teeth respectively. A hook support is located on both sides of the upper insert at a forward position and a plurality of hook supports are located at a rearward position of both sides of the lower insert. Tension coil springs are fitted to each of the upper insert hook supports and to one of the plurality of lower hook supports. The plurality of lower insert hook supports provides discrete levels of tension force of the coil spring on each side of the appliance. A plastic tube may be fitted over the coil springs to prevent injury to the inside of a user's mouth. The upper and lower inserts each have a magnet that attracts a magnetizable member on or in a user's tongue to keep the tongue at an extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas E. Meade
  • Publication number: 20100307511
    Abstract: A mandibular advancement device for pulling the jaw forward includes upper and lower plastic trays conforming to upper teeth and maxillary dentition soft tissue and palate and lower teeth and mandibular dentition and soft tissue, respectively. A ball type of hook support is located on both sides of the upper tray at a forward position and a plurality of ball type of hook supports are located at a rearward position of both sides of the lower tray. Tension coil springs are fitted to each of the upper tray ball hook supports and to one of the plurality of lower ball type of hook supports. The plurality of lower tray ball hook supports provides discrete levels of tension force of the coil spring on each side of the appliance. A plastic tube may be fitted over the coil springs to prevent injury to the inside of a user's mouth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas E. Meade
  • Patent number: 6055986
    Abstract: An apparatus for intra-oral use including a framework having an upper curved platform and a lower curved platform, each of the platforms being defined by two walls extending from and separated by a floor, a material bonded to the upper and lower curved platform adapted to be molded in a shape suitable for relatively snugly receiving maxillary teeth of a user and for relatively loosely receiving mandibular teeth of the user when the user's mouth is closed in a normal closing arch, and a cavity formed between the upper and lower platforms adapted to receive the tongue of the user. The apparatus may also include an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a position of the upper platform with respect to the lower platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventor: Thomas E. Meade
  • Patent number: 5682903
    Abstract: An apparatus for intra-oral use including a framework having an upper curved platform and a lower curved platform, each of the platforms being defined by two walls extending from and separated by a floor, a material bonded to the upper and lower curved platform adapted to be molded in a shape suitable for relatively snugly receiving maxillary teeth of a user and for relatively loosely receiving mandibular teeth of the user when the user's mouth is closed in a normal closing arch, and a cavity formed between the upper and lower platforms adapted to receive the tongue of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Inventor: Thomas E. Meade
  • Patent number: 5467783
    Abstract: An apparatus for intra-oral use including a framework having an upper curved platform and a lower curved platform, each of the platforms being defined by two walls extending from and separated by a floor, a material bonded to the upper and lower curved platform adapted to be molded in a shape suitable for relatively snugly receiving maxillary teeth of a user and for relatively loosely receiving mandibular teeth of the user when the user's mouth is closed in a normal, closing arch, and a cavity formed between the upper and lower platforms adapted to receive the tongue of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Inventor: Thomas E. Meade
  • Patent number: 5092346
    Abstract: A dental orthosis is provided for use in the treatment of snoring. The upper portion of the device receives the upper teeth of a user. Once properly fitted, the device will firmly grip all upper teeth forward of the premolars and remain positioned independent of natural motions of the lower jaw. The lower portion of the device is formed into a ramp structure whereby natural jaw motions result in the engagement of the lower teeth against the ramp, which will cam the lower jaw into a more forward position. An aperture in the device between the upper portion and the lower portion facilitates the passage of air for mouth breathing and attracts the tongue forward. By inducing the lower jaw and tongue to a more forward position, the device induces a more open posterior airway in the user, resulting in a significant reduction in snoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Hays & Meade, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin B. Hays, Thomas E. Meade