Mouthpiece retainer tabs

DETAILED DESCRIPTION What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: 1.
For use with a breathing apparatus, a mouthpiece comprising means defining a breathing tube having an end, flange means about said breathing tube end for insertion between the lips and the outer surfaces of the teeth of a user and a pair of teeth engageable collapsible tab means for insertion between essentially the molars of the user, said tab means being mounted on said flange means on either side of said breathing tube end, each of said tab means including means defining a central bore therein whereby upon engagement of said tab means by the teeth of a user, said tab means readily collapses and flattens to an approximate dental impression of the user, said each tab means being constructed of material having sufficient elastic memory to return to a substantially undeformed configuration after use.
2.
The mouthpiece as claimed in claim 1 wherein said each tab means further includes an end opposite said flange means and a peripheral lip formed about said end which is adapted to engage the rearward edges of the molars when said tab means are engaged by the teeth of a user.
3.
The mouthpiece as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flange means are formed in a curved configuration to approximate the curvature of the mouth of the user, each said central bore being open to the ambient atmosphere.
4.
The mouthpiece as claimed in claim 1 further comprising, in combination, a snorkel tube attached to said breathing tube at an end opposite the mounting of said flange means.
5.
The mouthpiece as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flange means and said pair of tab means are formed as an integral, one-piece unit of pliable material.
6.
The mouthpiece as claimed in claim 5 wherein said material is neoprene.




Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Since the earliest days in the development of suitable mouthpieces for an underwater breathing apparatus such as a snorkel, regulator or the like, comfort for the user has been a paramount concern