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Athletic mouthpiece capable of sensing linear and rotational forces and protective headgear for use with the same

  • US 6,941,952 B1
  • Filed: 12/02/2004
  • Issued: 09/13/2005
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A sensing mouthpiece assembly for sensing impact forces on a head of a user, wherein the user has a mouth with a hard palate and a set of upper teeth having at least one molar located on each end of the set, the mouthpiece assembly comprising:

  • a mouth guard shaped to receive the set of the upper teeth therein, wherein the mouth guard includes a channel sized to receive the upper teeth therein, the channel being configured such that the mouth guard is releasably secured to the at least one molar;

    a raised dome portion extending from the mouth guard, wherein the raised dome portion is shaped to conform to at least a portion of the hard palate of the mouth of the user;

    at least one linear force sensor for measuring linear forces exerted on the head of the user during an impact event, wherein the least one linear force sensor is positioned in at least one of the mouth guard and raised dome portion;

    at least one rotational force sensor for measuring rotational forces exerted on the head of the user during an impact event, wherein the least one rotational force sensor is positioned in at least one of the mouth guard and raised dome portion; and

    at least one indicator operatively connected to the at least one linear force sensor and the at least one rotational force sensor, wherein the at least one indicator provides an indication when at least one of the linear force sensor and the rotational force sensor detects a force greater than a predetermined value.

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