Thumb-sucking deterrent device and method of use

Abstract

A thumb-sucking deterrent device which is characterized in a first preferred embodiment by a typically plastic base or plate which is flexible or pre-formed to conform to the curvature of a thumbnail or fingernail and at least one protuberance projecting from the opposite surface of the plate, such that the plate can be glued to a child's thumbnail or fingernail and thus utilized to deter thumb and finger-sucking behavior. A method of deterring thumb-sucking and finger-sucking which includes the steps of providing a flexible or pre-formed plate which substantially conforms to the curvature of the thumbnail or fingernail of a child, providing at least one upward-standing protuberance on the opposite surface of the plate and gluing the plate to the thumbnail or fingernail, wherein the protuberance contacts the tongue when the child inserts the thumb or the finger and the thumb-sucking deterrent device inside the mouth.

1 . A digit-sucking deterrent device comprising a plate; at least one projection extending from said plate; and glue disposed between said plate and a selected area of the digit for removably securing said plate to the digit.  
   
   
       2 . The digit-sucking deterrent device of  claim 1  wherein said plate is flexible for substantially conforming to the curvature of the selected area of the digit.  
   
   
       3 . The digit-sucking deterrent device of  claim 1  wherein said plate is curved for substantially conforming to the curvature of the selected area of the digit.  
   
   
       4 . The digit-sucking deterrent device of  claim 1  wherein said at least one projection comprises a plurality of fingers extending from said plate in a selected finger pattern.  
   
   
       5 . The digit-sucking deterrent device of  claim 2  wherein said at least one projection comprises a plurality of fingers extending from said plate in a selected finger pattern.  
   
   
       6 . The digit-sucking deterrent device of  claim 3  wherein said at least one finger comprises a plurality of fingers extending from said plate in a selected finger pattern.  
   
   
       7 . The digit-sucking deterrent device of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of said plate is textured for receiving said glue and adhering said plate to the selected area of the digit.  
   
   
       8 . The digit-sucking deterrent device of  claim 1  wherein said at least one projection comprises at least one substantially cylindrical finger having a tapered projecting end.  
   
   
       9 . The digit-sucking deterrent device of  claim 8  wherein said plate is curved for substantially conforming to the curvature of the selected area of the digit.  
   
   
       10 . The digit-sucking deterrent device of  claim 8  wherein said at least one substantially cylindrical finger comprises a plurality of substantially cylindrical fingers arranged in a selected pattern on said plate and said selected area of the digit is the digitnail.  
   
   
       11 . The digit-sucking deterrent device of  claim 10  wherein said plate is curved and at least a portion of said plate is textured for substantially conforming to the curvature of the digitnail and removably adhering to the digitnail.  
   
   
       12 . A thumb-sucking deterrent device comprising a plate; a concave surface provided on said plate for substantially conforming to the curvature of the thumbnail of a thumb; at least one protuberance extending from said plate; and glue disposed between at least a portion of said concave surface of said plate and the thumbnail for removably securing said plate to the thumbnail.  
   
   
       13 . The thumb-sucking deterrent device of  claim 12  comprising a textured area provided in at least a portion of said concave surface of said plate for receiving said glue and enhancing the adhesion of said glue to said portion of said concave surface of said plate.  
   
   
       14 . The thumb-sucking deterrent device of  claim 12  wherein said at least one protuberance comprises a plurality of fingers extending from said plate in a selected pattern.  
   
   
       15 . The thumb-sucking deterrent device of  claim 14  wherein at least one of said fingers comprises a cylindrical finger having a rounded projecting end and comprising a textured area provided in at least a portion of said concave surface of said plate for receiving said glue and enhancing adhesion of said glue to said portion of said concave surface of said plate.  
   
   
       16 . The thumb-sucking deterrent device of  claim 15  wherein said plate and said fingers are constructed in one piece.  
   
   
       17 . A method of deterring thumb-sucking comprising the steps of: 
 sizing a plate to fit on a selected area of a thumb;    providing at least one protuberance on the plate; and    gluing the plate to the selected area of the thumb with the protuberance projecting outwardly of the thumb to deter sucking of the thumb.    
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 17  comprising the step of texturing at least a portion of the plate to receive the glue and enhance said gluing of the plate to the thumbnail of the thumb.  
   
   
       19 . A method of deterring thumb-sucking, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plate having a concave surface for fitting on the thumbnail of a thumb;    providing at least one projection on the plate; and    gluing the concave surface of the plate to the thumbnail with the projection projecting outwardly of the thumbnail to deter sucking of the thumb.    
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 19  comprising the step of texturing at least a portion of the concave surface of the plate for receiving the glue and enhancing said gluing of the concave surface of the plate to the thumbnail.  
   
   
       21 . A method of deterring thumb-sucking comprising the steps of: 
 providing a flexible plate which is sized and shaped to fit on the thumbnail of a thumb;    providing a plurality of fingers extending from one side of the flexible plate in a selected pattern; and    gluing the opposite side of the flexible plate from said one side to the thumbnail to deter sucking of the thumb.    
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 21  comprising the step of texturing at least a portion of the opposite side of the flexible plate to receive the glue and enhance said gluing of the opposite side of the flexible plate to the thumbnail.