Exercise devices – For head or neck – Face
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-19
2001-06-19
Mulcahy, John (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
For head or neck
Face
C482S124000, C601S038000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06248043
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an exercise device. More particularly to an elastic device which may be attached about the head of the user to provide a calculated resistance for isometric exercise of the muscles of the face, neck, head, and jaw. The device also features a surface mounted resistance measuring scale for the user to ascertain improvement and progress of an exercise regimen using the device. The scale also provides a measuring instrument with which the user may attach the device to the head such that a user defined amount of resistance may be provided for the exercise intended.
2. Prior Art
Isometric or resistive exercises of the muscles of the human body have long been a popular method of exercise and method of achieving a desired muscle tone of the muscles so exercised. Equipment used for isometric and similar muscle exercises ranges from simple elastic straps and chords to complicated machinery using weights and hydraulic cylinders to provide resistance.
Exercise of facial muscles is a recommended manner to help avoid or at least delay the onset of facial droop associated with aging. Further, the exercise of the facial muscles concurrently provides exercise to the supporting neck muscles and in many cases a release of the tightness and associated with stress related tension of those muscles.
However, to date, exercise of the facial, head, and neck muscles against a force of variable resistance has been especially difficult to achieve in a regimented and calculated manner. Mechanical devices for such exercise allow for resistance to the opening of the jaw muscles but are generally bulky and hard to use especially in the home.
Elastic and fabric devices which are attachable to the head or face have attempted to address the problem of proper facial and chin muscle exercise however most lack an ease of attachment and/or any method of easy user determination of the amount of resistance of the device or the progress attained using the device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,359 (Wabafiyebazu) teaches an exercise device for facial muscles of the user. However it is extremely complicated to attach to the user's head. Further, Wabafiyebazu provides no easy manner to measure the resistance or progress of the user who manages to attach the device to the head.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,700 (Smith) teaches an adjustable facial dressing for compression and/or support of facial features for medical treatment. Smith however fails to offer any method to use the device of Smith to provide exercise nor any means to calculate the amount of resistance being provided by the device or a manner to measure improvement over time when using the device for exercise.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,758 (Vijayan) teaches the use of an elongated elastic band attachable to the head to compress dilated blood vessels to relieve headaches. However Vijayan does not teach any method or structure to provide an exercise regimen or a user determinable gauge of resistance provided by the device or a measurement of improvement from the use of the device.
As such, their exists a need for an easily and inexpensively manufactured apparatus which can be easily attached to the head of a user to provide a calculated variable resistance for isometric or stretching exercise by the wearer. An additional need exists for such a device that produces an easily determinable scale for the user to determine the amount of resistance desired for the individual exercise intended. A further requirement needed for such a device that also provides some scale for the user to ascertain progress toward a fitness or exercise goal in using the device. Finally, should have the additional benefit of easy attachment by the user during exercise and detachment and storage when not in use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Applicant's device is an easily manufactured and operated exercise apparatus. It is infinitely adjustable as to resistance allowing for a user calculated amount of resistance to exercise of the facial muscles.
The device consists of an elongated elastic strap made from rubber or other elastic material and webbing or combinations thereof, and is removably attachable around the head in an infinite number of attachment points on both ends for the user to achieve desired resistance to stretching. At each of the two ends of the device a cooperating fastener is attached which is designed to communicate with and releaseably attach to the cooperating fastener attachment on the other end. Hook and loop fabric in the current best mode provides the communicating attachment at each of the two ends with the hook being mounted on one end being releasably attachable to the loop portion mounted to the other end. Hook and loop is most desirable as it will not corrode, or rust, and will not scratch the user as might be possible with other fasteners. Further, by using hook and loop fabric, the user is accorded infinite ability to adjust the tension provided by the elastic portion of the device by adjusting the tension thereon through moving the connection point between the hook and loop fasteners.
In use by a person desiring to exercise facial, head, and neck muscles, the user would place the elastic strap portion under the chin and elongate the strap around the sides of the face. The device may be constructed entirely of elastic style fabric or using a portion of elastic style fabric attached to webbing or cloth at the ends. The hook and loop fabric which is permanently attached to both ends of the device, would then be fastened in a releasable attachment of those two ends thereby securing the elongated elastic strap around the face. The elastic style fabric inherently tries to return to its original size providing sufficient tension to hold the device to the user's head with resulting frictional engagement The elastic style fabric additionally provides resistance to exercise of different face, head, chin, and neck muscles during and exercise regimen.
A scale, provided by indicia which is printed or otherwise mounted to the surface of the device or by applique of fabric, or other conventional manner of placing indicia on fabric, provides a visual scale of resistance to the user.
This visual scale is accomplished in one of two ways. First the user can ascertain the amount of stretch or elongation of the elastic style fabric is occurring during mounting on the head and thus the impending resistance for exercise, by lining up individual marks or lines of the scale with a stationary facial feature such as the top of the ear, the hair line, a skin blemish, or other user determined facial feature. When the user stretches the elastic strap around the head, the different marks of the surface mounted scale move above or below the designated stationary facial feature. Additional marks may be placed on the device at the ends for overlap of the indicia. By pulling harder or softer to stretch the elastic portion of the device, the user can visually determine the exact amount of resistance which will be provided or which might be desired for the exercise to be attempted. Should less or more resistance be desired of the elastic portion of the strap, the user can easily visually determine the increase or decrease of resistance desired and adjust the attachment of the hook and loop fabric to move the line or mark of the scale to a point where the user will see that the strap is stretched more or less to the calculated point desired to provide optimum resistance for the intended exercise.
Or, the user can visually ascertain the amount of stretch provided by the elastic fabric portion and thus the resistance being provided for the intended exercise, by lining up individual marks or marked lines of a scale on one end of the device with another scale on the other end of the device when connecting the two ends with the hook and loop fabric. When the user stretches the elastic and the strap around the head, the different marks of the surface mounted scale on the first end will move to differing positions in relation to the
Harms Donn K.
Hwang Victor K.
Mulcahy John
LandOfFree
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