One piece face and neck exerciser

• US 6,179,747 B1
• Filed: 01/22/1999
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lillie P. Kelley
• Original Assignee: Lillie P. Kelley
• Inventors: Kelley, Lillie P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US09/235,923
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 482/10, 482/11, 482/122, 482/121, 482/124, 482/131, 602/74, 602/32-35, 2/9, 242/5, 128/845, 128/848, 128/DIG.19
• US Class Current: 482/11
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0056 using electromagnetically-controlled friction, e.g. magnetic particle brakes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/025 for the head or the neck
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03 for face muscles

Abstract

A one piece face and neck exerciser (10), specifically configured to tone the muscles of the forehead, face, chin and neck, comprising a head band (12) to which two elongated beginners head resistance bands (88) are attached into head grooves (20) extending outwardly and down to be permanently attached to the lateral parts of the chin cup (38). Also comprising a neck band (57) to which two elongated beginners neck resistance bands (104) are attached into neck grooves (64) extending outwardly and up to be permanently attached to the lateral sides of the chin cup (42). The frontal head band (14), and lateral head band (16), the frontal neck band (58) and lateral neck band (60) are made of a strong, durable, lightweight material, the posterior head band (32), and posterior neck band (76) are made of velcro fasteners (34), (36), (78), and (80). The one piece exerciser (10) is secured to the users face by first placing the head band (12) on the forehead and connecting the posterior velcro ends (34) and (36) on top of each other, secondly placing the chin cup (38) on and under the chin, and lastly, placing the neck band (57) around the neck and connecting the posterior velcro ends (78) and (80) on top of each other. Increased resistance is provided by the use of additional resistance bands (86) and (102).

Claims

1. A fully assembled adjustable exercise configuration that has concentric and eccentric variable resistance for toning facial and neck muscles through movements of the head, forehead, mouth, lips, eyes, nose and neck;

comprising;

(a) a head band with a frontal portion, a right and left lateral portion, and a posterior portion, said frontal portion is made of rigid flexible material shaped to the natural contour of the head, and being circumferentially discontinuous, said frontal portion ends behind each ear, said posterior portion comprises a posterior fastening means for fastening said head band around the head, sizing, and tightening, said posterior fastening means is made of durable fabric with a head Velcro first end and a head Velcro second end connections said first end is permanently fastened to the right end of said head band, and said second end is permanently fastened to the left end of said head band;

permanently fastened on top of said right and left lateral portion of said head band above the ears a head fastening means for receiving a plurality of head resistance bands, said head fastening means is made of rigid non flexible material, said head fastening means comprises a plurality of head grooves, a plurality of head notches and a plurality of head gripping points;

(b) a neck band with a frontal portion, a right and left lateral portion, and a posterior portion, said frontal portion is made of rigid flexible material and being circumferentially discontinuous, said frontal portion ends behind each ear, said posterior portion comprises a posterior fastening means for fastening said neck band around the neck, and sizing, said posterior fastening means is made of durable fabric with a head Velcro first end and a head Velcro second end connections, said first end is permanently fastened to the right end of said neck band, and said second end is permanently fastened to the left end of said neck band;

permanently fastened on top of said right and left lateral portion of said neck band above the ears a neck fastening means for receiving a plurality of neck resistance bands, said neck fastening means is made of rigid non flexible material, said neck fastening means comprises a plurality of neck grooves, a plurality of neck notches and a plurality of neck gripping points;

(c) a chin cup with a frontal portion, and a right and left lateral portion, said frontal and right and left lateral portions are made of rigid flexible material, said frontal portion is concaved for receiving the chin, and positioning said chin cup over the mouth area, permanently attached to said right and left lateral portions of said chin cup a means for receiving said plurality of head resistance bands and said plurality of neck resistance bands, said means comprises a right and left chin attachment knob, a plurality of chin grooves, a plurality of chin notches, and a plurality of chin gripping points, said means are aligned with said right and left lateral head fastening means, and said right and left lateral neck fastening means; and

(d) whereby assemblage of said head band, said chin cup, said neck band and said plurality of resistance bands forms a single integral assemblage which allows for a combination variable levels of concentric contractions when the facial muscles are shortened while overcoming a constant resistance, and variable levels of eccentric contraction when the facial muscles are lengthened while over coming a constant resistance, when said posterior fastening means is pulled tightly to the head in conjunction with movements of the forehead, the forehead is exercised.

4. The exercise assemblage as claimed in claim 1 wherein said attachment means includes:

(a) on the middle lateral portions of said chin cup the pivotal chin attachment knob for said beginners head and said neck resistance bands;

(b) on the upper lateral portions of said chin cup, said chin grooves for said intermediate and advanced head resistance bands, within said chin grooves an intermediate and advance head notch, and an intermediate and advanced head gripping point;

(c) on the upper lateral portions of said chin cup, said chin grooves for said intermediate and advanced neck resistance bands, within said chin grooves an intermediate and advance neck notch, and an intermediate and advanced neck gripping point; and

(d) whereby said notches are for positioning said head and neck resistance bands, and said gripping points are for securely attaching said head and neck resistance bands into said grooves.

2. A method of exercising the muscles of facial expressions, the muscles of mastication and the chin muscles and their ancillaries muscles, comprising the steps of:

(a) fixedly securing a pair of beginners elongated head resistance bands of predetermined length and predetermined tensile strength to said right and left head fastening means located on said right and left lateral portion of said right and left lateral portion of said head band, and to said right and left chin attachment knob, located on said chin cup;

(b) fixedly securing a pair of beginners elongated neck resistance bands of predetermined length and predetermined tensile strength to said right and left neck fastening means located on said right and left lateral portion of said neck band, and to said right and left chin attachment knob located on said chin cup;

(c) securing said head band to user'"'"'s head;

(d) positioning said chin cup to user'"'"'s chin, said chin cup is additionally adapted to fit over the lip area;

(e) securing said neck band to user'"'"'s neck; and

(f) whereby the user'"'"'s exercises the muscles of mastication by movements of the lower jaw, the muscles of expression by making various facial expressions, and the chin muscles when using the mouth area to push against said chin cup when placed over the mouth.

3. The exercise assemblage as claimed in claimed 1 wherein said fastening means includes:

(a) on said right and left lateral portions of said head band and said neck band the three vertically slanted juxtaposed grooves, within said grooves said plurality of notches, said plurality of gripping points, and

(b) whereby said grooves provide variable levels of resistance when a pair of intermediate head and neck resistance bands, and a pair advance head and neck resistance bands are added for additional resistance, said intermediate and said advanced bands are manually engageable and disengageable, said notches are for adjusting, and positioning said resistance bands, and said gripping points are for securing said resistance bands.