Exercise devices – For head or neck
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-15
2001-01-09
Donnelly, Jerome (Department: 3733)
Exercise devices
For head or neck
C482S121000, C482S124000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06171214
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed toward a chin exercise device and more particularly, toward a device which improves muscle tone in the chin and neck areas.
As people become older their bodies start to change. One typical sign of change is sagging and flabby skin in the chin and neck areas. Such a condition is the result of underlying muscles losing their tone due to aging and/or lack of proper exercise. The muscles elongate and droop or sag. This condition also causes wrinkles.
One way of controlling this condition is cosmetic surgery commonly known as a “face-lift.” This procedure is effective in tightening facial skin. However, as a result of such tightening, the skin must support the underlying muscle. If this muscle lacks tone, it is lengthened and becomes droopy. Since the skin is not adapted to support the underlying muscles, this creates an even stronger tendency for the skin to droop. While such a method is a quick fix, it is temporary. That is, the process of drooping and wrinkling gradually starts again and the surgery must be repeated. Furthermore, this surgical procedure does not strengthen or tone muscles.
Exercise is one well known way which is effective in toning and strengthening muscles in the arms and legs. The same is also effective in strengthening the muscles of the chin and neck. Besides which, exercising provides long-term results, is inexpensive, simple, and healthier than cosmetic surgery.
Several devices are known which aid a person in exercising his or her chin and neck. One such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,497,217 to Feather which teaches an exercising device with a base plate which rests on a person's thorax or chest with a chin rest member space above the base plate. A hinge connects the base plate and chin rest member. Springs between the members resist compression when the person moves his or her head up and down, thereby exercising the muscles of the neck. This device, however, may not be stable and can slip from its location between the person's chest and chin. Furthermore, the compression forces cannot be easily adjusted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is designed to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art described above and to provide an exercise device which isolates, tones, strengthens, and firms the muscles of the chin, neck, and face.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an exercise device which is portable, easy to use, and wherein the forces can be easily adjusted.
In accordance with the illustrative embodiments, demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided an exercise device which, in a first embodiment, includes an elongated handle having a top end, a bottom end, a front side, and a rear side; a pair of curved members extending outwardly from the top end of the handle; and an arm which is pivotally attached to the curved members. The arm has means for receiving a person's chin which may be in the form of a foam pad. Attached to the rear side of the elongated handle are means for resting on a person's clavicle or chest. The resting means may include a foam pad which is placed against a person's clavicle or chest when the device is used by a person to exercise. In order to use the device, a person holds the handle and places the resting means against his or her chest. The person then places his or her chin into or on the foam pad on the arm. The person moves his or her chin downwardly, toward his or her chest. The springs create resistance as the person brings his or her chin down, thereby exercising the muscles of the chin. The second embodiment of the present invention is similar to the first embodiment; however, the springs are replaced with flexible bands. The bands may be changed in order to increase or decrease the resistance. In a third embodiment of the invention, the resistance provided in the device is created by a single flexible band. The amount of resistance may be varied by placing the band in various positions.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3497217 (1970-02-01), Feather
patent: 3721439 (1973-03-01), Rudolph et al.
patent: 3813096 (1974-05-01), Welch
patent: 4066259 (1978-01-01), Brenthan
patent: 4280696 (1981-07-01), Ramon
patent: 4460171 (1984-07-01), Plyhm
patent: 4744556 (1988-05-01), Shaffer
patent: 4793334 (1988-12-01), McGuiness et al.
patent: 4909502 (1990-03-01), Beeuwkes, III et al.
patent: 5035420 (1991-07-01), Beeuwkes, III et al.
patent: 5501646 (1996-03-01), Miller
Donnelly Jerome
Lehrer Norman F.
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