Mouthguard Configured for Attachment to a Chin Strap

Info

Publication number: 20140366892
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 18, 2013
Publication Date: Dec 18, 2014
Inventor: Gary M. Mauro (Astoria, OR)
Application Number: 13/920,338

Abstract

A mouth guard configured for attachment to a portion of a chin strap assembly. Rather than attaching to the facemask, the invention is configured to attach to a portion of the chin strap and preferably to attach to the molded chin cup that is now part of most chin strap assemblies. The mouth guard includes a stem extending forward from the portion intended to be clenched between the teeth. This stem is used to attach the mouth guard to a portion of the chin strap assembly. Preferably, the connection is made in two stages. First, the stem is attached to a separate lip guard. Second, the lip guard is attached to the chin cup (a portion of the chin strap assembly).

Description

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of sports. More specifically, the invention comprises a mouth guard that is pivotally attached to a chin strap.

2. Description of the Related Art

Mouth guards are commonly used in sporting activities where jarring impacts may damage the teeth. The present invention is particularly suited for use in the sport of American football, though it has applications in other sports as well.

FIG. 1 shows a prior art mouth guard 10. Planar pad 12 is designed to be clenched between the upper and lower teeth. The inner perimeter of planar pad 12 joins inner tooth covering 16. Inner tooth covering 16 extends upward and behind the inward facing surfaces of the upper teeth. The outer perimeter of planar pad 12 joins outer tooth covering 14. Outer tooth covering 14 extends upward and in front of the outward facing surfaces of the upper teeth.

The term “planar” should not be understood as meaning perfectly planar. The “bite plane' between a particular user's upper and lower teeth will often vary somewhat from the concept of an idealized plane. More sophisticated mouth guards may even be custom molded to match a particular user's bite plane. Thus, in some instances the surface denoted as planar pad 12 will assume a curved shape or even more complex shapes.

The combination of the inner and outer tooth coverings hold the planar pad in position between the upper and lower teeth. Planar pad 12 cannot slide rearward in the mouth because outer tooth covering 14 arrests this motion when the inward facing surface of outer tooth covering 14 bears against the outward facing surfaces of the upper teeth. Planar pad 12 cannot slide forward because inner tooth covering 16 arrests this motion when the outward facing surface of inner tooth covering 16 bears against the inward facing surfaces of the upper teeth.

Thus, the reader will perceive that prior art mouth guard 10 protects the wearer's teeth primarily by (1) providing a soft pad between the upper and lower teeth in order to prevent injuries resulting from tooth-against-tooth impacts; and (2) providing an impact-absorbing covering over the outward facing surfaces of the upper teeth. The example shown in FIG. 1 is merely exemplary. Many other designs for mouth guards presently exist. Some even include a second molding intended to slip over the lower teeth, with a hinged joint connecting the upper and lower sections.

Such mouth guards provide effective protection to the user. However, it is often not desirable to retain the mouth guard in the mouth during times when play is suspended. The mouth guard impairs breathing and—to an even greater extent—impairs clear speaking. As a result, many users remove the mouth guard when play is suspended. This creates the problem of where to store the mouth guard.

In the case of American football, many users store a mouth guard such as shown in FIG. 1 by jamming it into a portion of the face mask attached to the user's helmet. FIG. 2 shows another prior solution to this problem. In the mouth guard of FIG. 2, strap 18 has been added to the forward portion of planar pad 12. Strap 18 includes a narrowed tongue 24 at its distal end. The tongue ends in knob 22.

One or more slots 20 are provided through strap 18. The strap is made of pliable material. Tongue 24 may be bent around an external object. Knob 22 is then forced through one of slots 20 in order to secure the mouth guard to the external object. FIG. 3 shows this operation after it has been completed. The tongue has been bent around a portion of face mask 32. Knob 22 has been forced through a selected slot 20. Mouth guard 10 is thereby secured to facemask 32.

The attachment thus created may be quite strong. The user does not need to worry about losing the mouth guard because the mouth guard will stay attached to the facemask (and thus the helmet). This is typically true even when the helmet is knocked off the user's head. In that circumstance the user loses both the helmet and the mouth guard. It would of course be preferable to retain the mouth guard even if the helmet is lost, and this is a disadvantage inherent in the prior art designs.

FIG. 4 shows a mouth guard incorporating a fairly recent additional feature. Most prior art mouth guards rest entirely within the mouth and behind the lips. They afford little protection to the exterior surfaces of the mouth. In the mouth guard of FIG. 4, lip guard 26 has been added. Lip guard 26 is a soft, thin, and pliable device intended to lie over the exterior of the user's mouth when the mouth guard is held in the mouth. It protects the lips and prevents splits and cuts.

Passage 28 is provided through lip guard 26 so that strap 18 may be fed through. This effectively joins the lip guard to the mouth guard. One or more vents 30 are typically provided through the lip guard so that the user can still breathe through the mouth with the lip guard in place. In some mouth guards, the lip guard may be molded as one integral piece with the mouth guard.

Finally, FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a representative helmet 34 used in American football. Face mask 32 is secured across the front opening of the helmet. The helmet is secured to the user by placing a chin strap under the user's chin. Chin traps used to be simple leather straps with an expanded section around the chin itself. They have now become more sophisticated. The version of FIG. 5 shows a chin cup 40. The chin cup is often a molded plastic piece including foam padding, and even a “gel” insert positioned to cover the point of the chin.

Chin cup 40 is connected to the helmet using two or more straps. In the example shown, four straps are used. Two upper straps 36 secure the chin cup to the upper portion of the helmet while two lower chin straps 38 secure the chin cup to the lower portion of the helmet. The actual connection between a strap and the helmet is made by a snap-buckle 42. Each snap-buckle includes a buckle allowing adjustment of the strap length connected to a female snap member. A male snap member is attached to a fixed position on the helmet itself. The attachment of the straps to the snap-buckles and the attachment of the snap-buckles to the helmet is well understood by those skilled in the art and—accordingly—will not be discussed in further detail.

Helmets used in other sports, such as cricket, polo, lacrosse, and hockey, have many of the same elements found in the helmet of FIG. 5. Accordingly, although an American football helmet has been used for the illustration, the present invention is by no means limited to that sport.

FIG. 5 serves to illustrate the existence and location of various player protection hardware that may be used to retain a mouth guard when the mouth guard is not in the player's mouth. The present invention utilizes this existing hardware by attaching a mouth guard to the chin cup.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention comprises a mouth guard configured for attachment to a portion of a chin strap assembly. The invention preferably includes teeth and lip protection features found in prior art mouth guards and can in fact include any type of desirable teeth or lip protection. Rather than attaching to the facemask, however, the invention is configured to attach to a portion of the chin strap and preferably to attach to the molded chin cup that is now part of most chin strap assemblies.

A mouth guard made according to the present invention preferably includes a stem extending forward from the portion intended to be clenched between the teeth. This stem is used to attach the mouth guard to a portion of the chin strap assembly. Preferably, the connection is made in two stages. First, the stem is attached to a separate lip guard. Second, the lip guard is attached to the chin cup (a portion of the chin strap assembly).

The connection between the chin cup and the lip guard is flexible, so that the assembly of the lip guard and the mouth guard is able to pivot out of the user's mouth. When removed from the user's mouth, the mouth guard and lip guard are suspended by the attachment to the chin cup. When the user needs the mouth guard in place, he or she pivots it upward and back into the mouth.

The attachment between the mouth guard and the chin strap assembly is preferably able to “break away” in the event that the helmet and chin strap are knocked off the user's head. This “break away” feature allows the mouth guard to remain in the mouth despite the loss of the other equipment. The “break away” feature preferably also allows the mouth guard to be subsequently reattached to the chin strap assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, showing a prior art mouth guard.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, showing a prior art mouth guard incorporating a securing strap.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, showing a prior art mouth guard attached by a strap to a facemask.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, showing a prior art mouth guard including a lip guard.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, showing a prior art football helmet incorporating a face mask, a chin cup, and four straps.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view, showing a mouth guard and lip guard constructed according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view, showing the mouth guard and lip guard of FIG. 6 attached to a chin cup.

FIG. 8 is an elevation view, showing the mouth guard and lip guard of FIG. 6 in an installed state.

FIG. 9 is an elevation view, showing how the mouth guard and lip guard rotate out and away from the user's mouth when they are removed.

FIG. 10 is an elevation view, showing the mouth guard and lip guard in the “stored” position.

FIG. 11 is an elevation view, showing an alternate embodiment using an elastic hinge strap.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view, showing an alternate embodiment of the lip guard and mouth guard stem.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view, showing an alternate embodiment of the lip guard and mouth guard stem.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view, showing the use of a mouth guard stem as a hinge strap.

FIG. 15 is an elevation view, showing an embodiment of a lip guard configured for use with the present invention.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS 10 mouth guard 12 planar pad 14 outer tooth covering 16 inner tooth covering 18 strap 20 slot 22 knob 24 tongue 26 lip guard 28 passage 30 vent 32 facemask 34 helmet 36 upper strap 38 lower strap 40 chin cup 42 snap-buckle 44 strap anchor 46 hinge strap 47 elastic hinge strap 48 stem 50 interlock feature 52 stem opening 54 nose relief 56 slot 60 vent 62 hinge strap opening 64 chin 66 mouth 70 lower relief 74 stem receiver 76 covering flange 78 upper relief

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes four main elements. These are: (1) a mouth guard, (2) a lip guard, (3) a separable connection between the mouth guard and the lip guard, and (4) a pivotal connection between the lip guard and a portion of a separate chin strap assembly. The four main elements are collectively referred to as a “mouth guard assembly,” They are illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of mouth guard 10 and lip guard 26. The mouth guard preferably contains a planar pad and tooth coverings as for the prior art. In fact, teeth-protecting features found in virtually any prior art mouth guard could be added to mouth guard 10 as desired.

Stem 48 protrudes forward from the mouth guard. The first end of the stem is connected to the mouth guard. The second end is free. Interlock feature 50 is formed proximate the second end.

Lip guard 26 is preferably made of a thin and pliable material. It includes a generally domed shape, with the convex surface facing away from the mouth guard. Stem opening 52 passes through the lip guard. Stein opening 52, stem 48, and interlock feature 50 are designed to create a separable connection. One way of creating such a connection is to size stem opening 52 so that stem 48 passes freely through the stem opening but interlock feature 50 does not. Interlock feature 50 is sized so that the material surrounding stem opening 52 must be stretched in order to force the interlock feature through. Once the interlock feature is forced through, it is retained on the convex side of the lip guard by the restricted size of stem opening 52.

The portion of lip guard 26 surrounding stem opening 52 must be pliable and resilient to make the separable connection work. In any cases it will be preferable to mold the entire lip guard from a single type of material, and in those instances a suitably pliable material should be selected.

Lip guard 26 may contain any of the conventional features included in prior art lip guards. One or more vents 60 may be provided so that the wearer can breathe through the lip guard while it remains in position over the lips. Covering flange 76 extends out from the perimeter of central protrusion 74. This covering flange protects the perimeter of the mouth.

Connection features are provided so that the lip guard can be connected to a portion of a chin strap assembly. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the connection features are a pair of hinge strap openings 62. Bulges on the end of the hinge straps snap into these holes, as will be shown and described.

FIG. 7 shows the components of FIG. 6 after they have been joined together and connected to a prior art chin cup. The reader will observe that interlock feature 50 on the second end of stem 48 has been forced through stem opening 52. The stem opening has relaxed to a smaller state and thereby formed an interference with interlock feature 50. If the mouth guard and the lip guard are pulled away from each other, the separable connection between the two will resist separation until interlock feature 50 is pulled back through stem opening 52.

In the example shown, the pivotal connection between lip guard 26 and chin cup 40 is made by a pair of hinge straps 46. One hinge strap is located on the left side of the assembly and one is located on the right. The hinge straps are preferably made of a flexible and tough material. The connection between the hinge straps and the particular component can be made in a wide variety of ways. One approach is to mold a bulged portion on the end of each hinge strap. This bulged portion can be pressed through the hinge strap openings in the lip guard and the hinge strap openings in the chin cup to create a “snap” connection. One can also use rivets or any other suitable connection. In any event, it is desirable for the pivotal connection between the lip guard and the chin cup to be quite strong.

The pivotal connection can be made using a single strap. However, the use of two straps separated by a distance is preferred since it stabilizes the pivoting motion as the mouth guard assembly is removed from the user's mouth. Chin cup 40 typically includes a hard plastic exterior and a soft padded interior facing the user's chin. Two upper straps 36 (left and right) and two lower straps 38 attach the chin cup to the helmet. Each pair of upper and lower straps passes into a slot 56 and is connected via a strap anchor 44. As explained previously, the opposite ends of the upper and lower straps are attached to the helmet.

In this particular example, it is desirable for the lip guard to closely abut the chin cup. In order to allow the two elements to sit in close proximity, upper relief 78 is provided in the chip cup (a cutaway that roughly follows the outline of the lip guard). The lip guard may also include a lower relief.

FIGS. 8 through 11 illustrate the operation of the device. In FIG. 8, the profile of a user is shown in dashed lines. Chin cup 40 is secured over chin 64 by placing the helmet on the head and securing upper straps 36 and lower straps 38. Mouth guard 10 is then placed in the user's mouth. Lip guard 26 covers the exterior of the mouth. The two hinge straps 46 bow outward as shown. This allows some variability in the distance between the location of the mouth guard and the chin cup. Stem 48 and interlock feature 50 protrude from the lip guard as shown.

FIG. 8 shows the installed position. The user is protected against impacts in the position shown. FIGS. 9 and 10 show the steps of removing the mouth guard. In FIG, 9, the user has pulled the mouth guard free and the mouth guard and lip guard are pivoting outward and downward as shown. Hinge straps 46 flex to allow the pivoting motion. In fact, it is preferable for the hinge straps to bias the lip guard and mouth guard toward the position shown in FIG. 10. In that case the user needs only to open the mouth and the natural bias of the hinge straps tends to pull the mouth guard and lip guard away from the mouth.

FIG. 10 shows the assembly in the fully removed state. The weight of lip guard 26 and mouth guard 10 cause the assembly to dangle from the attachment point of hinge strap 46. The mouth guard and lip guard are well clear of the user's mouth. The user is able to freely talk, drink, and even eat. However, when the time comes to place the mouth guard back into the mouth, the user need only flip the mouth guard upward and allow it to rotate back into position.

In the embodiment illustrated, fairly long hinge straps are used. Much shorter straps may be used in other embodiments. In that case the lip guard and mouth guard would sit much closer to the chin cup in the removed state.

In some embodiments elastic hinge straps may be used. These tend to retract when the mouth guard is free of the mouth. FIG. 11 shows an embodiment using elastic hinge straps 47. The mouth guard and lip guard still dangle from the hinge strap, but the elastic, nature of the hinge strap causes the hinge strap to shorten once the mouth guard is out of the mouth. Many configurations are possible by selecting the amount of bow and the amount of elasticity in the hinge strap or straps.

Returning now to FIG. 7, an additional operational feature of the invention will be explained. A helmet is secured to a user's head primarily by the engagement of the player's chin in chin cup 40. When a blow dislodges the helmet, it is often as the result of the chin cup slipping off the chin. The helmet then moves upward with respect to the head and slides free of the head. When the helmet is knocked off, the chin straps and chin cup tend to go with the helmet.

When a user loses a helmet, it is obviously desirable that the mouth guard remain in the user's mouth. If the mouth guard is firmly attached to the chin cup, it will likely be lost when the helmet is lost. This fact explains the desirability of the separable connection between mouth guard 10 and lip guard 26. The mechanical interlock between interlock feature 50 and stem opening 52 can be defeated by the application of a pulling three. At least a component of the pulling force should be directed parallel to the orientation of stem 48 (and in a direction that urges lip guard 26 away from mouth guard 10. This component of the pulling force is known as a “separation force.”

The mechanical interlock should be designed such that the magnitude of the separation force is in the proper range. If the required separation force is too small, then the mouth guard will separate from the lip guard during normal operations. For example, in the configuration of FIG. 10, the mouth guard may fall free from the lip guard when it is inadvertently hit by a user's hand. Obviously, this is undesirable. If on the other hand, the magnitude of the separation force is too large, the mouth guard will not separate when the helmet is knocked off the player's head and the mouth guard will be pulled out of the player's mouth.

The minimum appropriate value for the separation force is about 2 pounds (about 8 Newtons). At least this much force should be required by the mechanical interlock. The maximum appropriate value for the separation force is about 30 pounds (about 120 Newtons). The mouth guard and lip guard should separate if a force higher than this limit is encountered. Otherwise, a force sufficient to knock the helmet off the player's head may not cause the mouth guard and lip guard to separate.

It is preferable to design the mechanical interlock so that—once separated—the separable joint can be easily reunited. Using the inventive design, a player who has his helmet knocked off will still be clenching the mouth guard between his teeth. He will then retrieve his helmet. The chin straps, chin cup, hinge straps, and lip guard will all likely still be attached to the helmet. The player then takes the mouth guard out of his mouth and reattaches it to the lip guard. In the context of the embodiment of FIG. 7, the player reattaches the two components by forcing interlock feature 50 back through stein opening 52.

Practical experimentation may be needed to further refine the separation force limits and it may be desirable in some embodiments to broaden the range, narrow the range, or alter the upper or lower limits. For instance, a lineman may wish to have a higher upper limit for the separation force.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show some alternate embodiments for the mouth guard and lip guard. In the version of FIG. 12, the mechanical interlock is created using a horizontally-oriented interlock feature 50 and a vertically-oriented stem opening 52. In order to unite the two components, the user rotates mouth guard 10 and slips interlock feature 50 through stem opening 52. The width of interlock feature 50 is much greater than the width of stem opening 52. However, the height of stem opening 52 is made the same as or larger than the width of interlock feature 50. Thus, when the mouth guard is rotated 90 degrees, interlock feature 50 can pass through stem opening 52. The interlock feature may also be given a crescent shape to assist in passing it through the stem opening. The embodiment for the lip guard shown in FIG. 12 is given a simpler convex shape. Six vertical vents 60 are provided to allow air passage.

FIG. 13 shows still another embodiment for the interlock features. Interlock feature 50 is a simple horizontal bar. Lip guard 26 includes a vertically-oriented stem opening 52. In this version, interlock feature 50 is slightly wider than stem opening is tall. However, interlock feature 50 is made of pliable material. When the user rotates the mouth guard 90 degrees, the lateral ends of the interlock feature can deflect somewhat and allow the interlock feature to pass through the stem opening—thereby creating the desired mechanical interlock. The lip guard in the embodiment of FIG. 13 includes two larger vents 60.

FIG. 14 shows still another embodiment. In this version, stem 48 passes through stem opening 52 and the second end of stem 48 attaches directly to chin cup 40. The second end of the stem is provided with a round knob (as for FIG. 2). The round knob compresses and snaps into a socket joint in the chin cup—labeled as stem receiver 74 in the view. The knob on the end of the stem still creates a separable attachment with stem opening 52. However, in order to separate, the knob must first be pulled free from the chin cup.

FIG. 15 shows a simple elevation view of a lip guard embodiment. The reader will observe that the upper portion of the lip guard is provided with nose relief 54. The lower portion of the lip guard is provided with lower relief 70 a cutaway allowing the lip guard to sit more closely above the chin cup. The nose relief, the lower relief, and the shape of covering flange 76 are all optional features that may be changed in many ways.

Although the preceding descriptions contain significant detail, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art will know that many other variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should properly be determined with respect to the following claims rather than the examples given.

Claims

1. A mouth guard assembly for protecting a user's teeth, said mouth guard assembly configured to be attached to a chin strap assembly including a chin cup, comprising:

a. a mouth guard configured to protect said teeth;

b. a lip guard, including a stem opening, said lip guard having a first side and a second side, with said second side facing, away from said mouth guard;

c. a stem, said stem having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion, said first end connected to said mouth guard, said middle portion passing through said stem opening in said lip guard, and said second end lying on said second side of said lip guard;

d. a pivotal connection between said lip guard and said chin cup;

e. an interlock feature located proximate said second end of said stem;

f. at least a portion of said lip guard proximate said stem opening being made of pliable material;

g. said interlock feature and said stem opening creating a mechanical interference between said lip guard and said stem requiring a separation force to pull said stem free of said lip guard; and

h. wherein said separation force is greater than two pounds and less than thirty pounds.

2. A mouth guard assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said interlock feature comprises a bulge that is too large to pass through said stem opening without deforming said stem opening.

3. A mouth guard assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein:

a. said stem opening comprises a vertically-oriented slot having a height and a width;

b. said interlock feature comprises a horizontally-oriented bar having a height and a width; and

c. said width of said bar is greater than said width of said stem opening.

4. A mouth guard assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein said width of said bar is less than said height of said stem opening.

5. A mouth guard assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said pivotal connection between said lip guard and said chin cup comprises at least one flexible hinge strap connecting said lip guard to said chin cup.

6. A mouth guard assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein:

a. said chin cup has a right side, a center, and a left side;

b. said lip guard has a right side, a center, and a left side;

c. said at least one flexible hinge strap connects said left side of said lip guard to said left side of said chin cup; and

d. said mouth guard assembly includes a second flexible hinge strap that connects said right side of said lip guard to said right side of said chin cup.

7. A mouth guard assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein:

a. said lip guard has a top and a bottom;

b. said chin cup has a top and a bottom;

c. said lip guard includes a lower relief across said bottom of said lip guard; and

d. said chin cup includes an upper relief across said top of said chin cup.

8. A mouth guard assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein said lip guard includes a nose relief.

9. A mouth guard assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said lip guard opens into a plurality of vents.

10. A mouth guard assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein:

a. said lip guard includes a left hinge strap opening and a right hinge strap opening;

b. said chin cup includes a left hinge strap opening and a right hinge strap opening;

c. said at least one flexible hinge strap includes a first end and a second end;

d. said second flexible hinge strap includes a first end and a second end;

e. said first end of said at least one flexible hinge strap attaches to said left hinge opening in said lip guard;

f. said second end of said at least one flexible hinge strap attaches to said left hinge opening in said chin cup;

g. said first end of said second flexible hinge strap attaches to said right hinge opening in said lip guard; and

h. said second end of said second flexible hinge strap attaches to said right hinge opening in said chin cup.

11. A mouth guard assembly for protecting a user's teeth, said mouth guard assembly configured to be attached to a chin strap assembly including a chin cup, comprising:

a. a mouth guard including a planar pad and an outer tooth covering;

b. a lip guard, including a stem opening, said lip guard having a first side facing said tooth covering and a second side facing away from said tooth covering;

c. a stem, said stem having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to said mouth guard;

d. a pivotal connection between said lip guard and said chin cup;

e. said second end of said stem being releasably connected to said lip guard by a mechanical interlock, said mechanical interlock requiring a separation force to pull said stem free of said lip guard; and

f. wherein said separation force is greater than two pounds and less than thirty pounds.

12. A mouth guard assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein said mechanical interlock comprises:

a. a stem opening through said lip guard; and

b. a feature on said second end of said stem that is too large to pass through said stem opening without deforming said stem opening.

13. A mouth guard assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein:

a. said stem opening comprises a vertically-oriented slot having a height and a width;

b. said feature on said second end of said stem comprises a horizontally-oriented bar having a height and a width; and

c. said width of said bar is greater than said width of said stem opening.

14. A mouth guard assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein said width of said bar is less than said height of said stem opening.

15. A mouth guard assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein said pivotal connection between said lip guard and said chin cup comprises at least one flexible hinge strap connecting said lip guard to said chin cup.

16. A mouth guard assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein: