Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FACIAL EXERCISE DEVICE AND METHOD
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to devices for exercising muscles in the
human face.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various facial exercise devices have been proposed. Many are
designed to exercise a specific group of muscles.
U.S. Patent No. 3,507,493 to Robins discloses a one-piece
exercise mask whose shape conforms closely to the contours of the area
around the user's eyes. The mask bears against the face to resist contraction
of
certain muscle groups surrounding the eyes.
U.S. Patent No. 4,189,141 to Rooney discloses a facial exercise
mask that covers the entire face with stretch fabric except for cut outs at
the
eyes, nose and mouth. Pockets in the mask hold weights to resist contraction
of various facial muscles.
U.S. Patent No. 4,650,18 to Ross discloses a device for
exercising muscles associated with the jaw. The device includes an elastic
support band that encircles the user's head, a chin cup, and a pair of
vertical
elastic straps that fasten with hooks to opposite ends of the chin cup.
U.S. Patent No. 6,179,747 to Jelly discloses a facial exercise
devices adapted to exercise muscles associated with a user's jaws. The device
has an upper collar that seats around the top of the head, a lower collar that
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locates around the neck, and a chin cup. Elastic members extend upward and
downward from the two collars to press the chin cup firmly against the user's
chin.
U.S. Patent No. 6,277,053 to Desembrana describes a
combined face exercise device and magnetic stimulator. The device has a
band that surrounds the head and cheeks of the user and extends down to the
chin. Fabric-like hook and loop fasteners fasten the lower ends of the band to
a chin strap, which has cheek portions adapted to receive magnets. The device
purports to exercise the facial muscles associated with the user's jaws while
simultaneously stimulating blood flow in those musclf;s.
Devices other than facial exercisers have been proposed that are
configured to locate about a user's head. U.S. Patent No. 5,700,238 to Hyson
describes a goggle-like mask that carries pads for dispensing analgesics or
other medication to the eyes and seals against the face to prevent medication
from escaping. U.S. Patent No. 6,039,710 to Kelley et al describes a facial
support with multiple straps that locate about the head to provide support for
the user's cheeks. U.S. Patent No. 6,193,740 to Rodriguez describes an
adjustable head band that encircles the forehead and back of the head and
holds eye pillows against the user°s eyes.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention provides a device adapted to
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exercise muscles in a person's face and consequently tone the skin. The device
comprises an assembly of elastic straps configured to grip the user's head,
and
a skin-gripping pad fastened to the strap assembly sa that tension in the
assembly presses the pad into engagement with the user's face. The pad can be
selectively positioned and pressed against the user's face to provide
resistive
forces against muscle and skin movement. The strap assembly preferably
comprises straps that orient in mutually perpendicular planes about the user's
head to ensure stable seating. The strap assembly may also be structured to
define a junction with lengths of strap radiating in different angular
directions.
The tensioned straps produce a force normal to the satin surface that presses
the pad against the user's face but lateral forces applied by the tensioned
straps
tend to cancel, providing more reliable positioning a.nd stability as the
straps of
the assembly stretch and contract during exercise. Although a single pad can
technically be used, the device will normally incorporate two pad assemblies
to allow for simultaneous exercise of corresponding muscle groups on both
sides of the face.
1n another aspect, the invention prow ides a facial exercise
device comprising a strap assembly with an elastic strap configured as an
endless loop that locates about a user's head. A pair of pad assemblies are
mounted for displacement along the loop, allowing; the spacing of the pad
assemblies to be adjusted according to facial features and muscles groups to
be
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exercised. For purposes of this specification, the term "loop" refers to a
strap
initially formed as an endless band or initially formed with distinct ends
that
are joined with a releasable cord Iock or other fastening means to form an
endless band. The strap assembly includes another strap that bears against the
user's head, whose ends are fastened to the pad assemblies for movement
together. In preferred form, each pad assembly includes a fastener that
orients
the elastic loop in a predetermined plane, and cooperates with the pad
assembly to form a rotary joint allowing the associated pad to rotate about an
axis transverse to the plane. This permits minor adjustments to the
orientation
of the straps on the user's head without dislodging the pads.
Other aspects of the invention will be apparent from a
description below of preferred embodiments and will be more specifically
defined in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood with respect to
drawings in which:
fig. 1 is perspective view of a facial exercise device;
figs. 2a and 2b are an exploded side view and a fragmented
plan view, respectively, of a pad assembly associated;
figs. 3-5 diagrammatically illustrate how the device can be
used to exercise different sets of facial muscles;
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fig. 6 is perspective view of a second facial exercise device;
figs. 7-9 diagrammatically illustrate how the second device can
be used to exercise different sets of facial muscles;
fig. 10 is perspective view of a third facial exercise device;
figs. 11-13 diagrammatically illustrate how the third device can
be used to exercise different sets of facial muscles;
fig. 14 is perspective view of a fourth facial exercise device;
fig. 15 is fragmented view of a pad assembly of the fourth
device and its mounting relative to straps;
figs. I6-18 diagrammatically illustrate how the fourth device
can be used to exercise different sets of facial muscles
fig. 19 is perspective view of a fifth facial exercise device;
fig. 20 is fragmented view of a pad assembly of the fifth device
and its mounting relative to straps;
figs. 2I-23 diagrammatically illustrate how the fifth device can
be used to exercise different sets of facial muscles.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS.
Reference is made to fig. 1 which illustrates a facial exercise
device 10. The device 10 includes a strap assembly 12 and a pair of identical
pad assemblies 16, I8. The strap assembly 12 includes a strap 22 configuxed
as an endless elastic loop (also referred to as loop 22y, and another strap 24
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with distinct ends 26, 28. In an operative orientation the loop 22 and strap
24
orient in mutually transverse planes, reliably gripping the user's head 14.
For
example, in fig. 3, the strap 24 is oriented in a generally vertical plane and
extends under the user's chin 30. The loop 22 is substantially horizontal and
crosses the user°s nose 32. Tension in the strap assembly 12 then
presses the
pad assemblies 16, 18 against the user's face 20. The length or circumference
of the straps 22, 24 can be adjusted for different users with conventional
toggle fasteners 29 but other devices such as cord locka, side release web
locks, tri-glides or cam buckles can be used. If holes are provided in the
elastic strap, buttons or snap can be used.
The pad assemblies 16, 18 are fastened to the strap assembly 12
for displacement along the elastic loop 22. The ends 26, 28 of the strap 24
are
fixed to the pad assemblies 16, 18 and displace with the pad assemblies 16,
18.
This permits the spacing of the pad assemblies 16, 18 to be conveniently
adjusted to suit to a particular user's facial features or to exercise
different sets
of facial muscles.
The pad assembly 18 is shown in greater detail in figs. 2a and
2b. It includes a pad 34 with a two-part construction: a generally circular
plastic core 35 and a plastic cap 36 that provides a skin-gripping surface 37
and can be removed for cleaning or replacement. The: core 35 and cap 36 are
radially symmetric about the axis 38 shown in fig. 2a. The side wall of the
cap
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36 conforms generally in shape to the periphery of the core 35, and has an
annular undercut 39 that permits the cap 36 to snap fit onto the core 35. The
core 35 and cap 36 might alternatively be formed with complementary screw
threads.
The pad assembly 18 includes a plastic fastener 40 that secures
the pad assembly I8 to the straps 22, 24. The fastener 40 has a flat
triangular
base 41 and a central past 42 with an expanded head 44. The post 42 is shown
aligned with the axis 38 along which the components are exploded and which
is also the rotational axis of the fastener 40 and the pad 34. The core 35 has
a
central recess 46 molded in its rear face that receives i;he post 42 along the
axis
38. The recess 46 conforms in shape shape to the post 42, particularly the
expanded head 44. This arrangement permits the fastener 40 to interlock
axially with the core 35, and also defines a rotary joint that permits the pad
34
to rotate about the axis 38 relative to the straps 22, 24. The post might
alternatively be threaded into or molded with the core 35, and received in an
aperture in the base 41 of the fastener 40. The post can be secured with a
snap
fit, nut, clip or the like. The rotary connection may be formed in other
conventional ways.
The base 41 of the fastener 40 is molded with a slot 48 that
retains one end 28 of the strap 24. The strap end 28 is simply extended
through the slot 48, doubled over, and then sewn, heat welded or glued.
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Rivets, snap fasteners, or button arid hole arrangements may alternatively be
used. A pair of slots 50 receive the loop 22 and permit the fastener 40 to
slide
along the loop 22. The slots 50 also serve as a guide structure that orients
the
loop 22 in a plane transverse to the rotational axis 38, facilitating pad
rotation
and keeping the pad 34 properly oriented for contact with the user's face 20.
Various materials may be used in the pad assembly 18. The
core 35 and the fastener 40 are preferably molded of polypropylene, but
polyethylene, nylon, acetal, polycarbonate, acrylic or polystyrene could be
used. The cap 36 is preferably molded of santoprene, a relatively soft
plastic,
which is hypoallergenic and has good skin-gripping properties. The core 35
may be molded of santoprene to allow use without the cap 36. The
skin-gripping surface 37 is preferably treated by fine electrode discharge
machining to enhance its gripping properties but sandblasting or vapor honing
might be used to impart surface texture. Alternatively, the surface 37 may be
molded with ribs or other gripping structures. Although santoprene is
preferred for defining skin-gripping surfaces, others materials may be
substituted for purposes of the invention, including urethanes, polyesters,
polyvinyl chloride, rubber and silicone.
Referring again to fig. 2b, it will be noted that the straps 22, 24
form a y junction at the pad assembly 18. The junction is defined by three
lengths 54 of the straps 22, 24 joined at the fastener 40 and radiating from
the
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junction in different angular directions. The tensioned lengths 54 of strap
press the pad 34 securely against the user's face 20. The lateral forces
exerted
by the lengths 54 of strap on the pad 34 tend to cancel so that the pad 34
tends
to remain properly positioned as the straps 22, 24 extend and contract during
exercise.
The facial exercise device 10 has greater versatility than prior
art devices. In the operative orientation shown in fig. 3, the pad assemblies
16, 18 are positioned over the user°s cheeks just below the eyes in
order
exercise muscles under the eyes and at the cheeks. The most effective position
for such purposes is below the outside corner of each c~ye. These muscles
include the caput infra orbital that pulls the cheeks upward; the elevator
anguli
oris that pulls the angle of the mouth upward toward the eyes and nose; the
zygomaticus major that draws the angle of the mouth out and upward toward
the eyes; the orvicularis oculi inferior and the palpebral that close the
Iower
eyelids. The elastic loop 22 is oriented in a generally horizontal plane,
extending fully around the user's head 14 and across the user's nose 32, and
the
strap 24 is oriented in a generally vertical plane and under the user's chin
30.
The user simply contracts the muscles by pulling the cheeks upward, and holds
for a few seconds. This exercise may be performed for 10-15 repetitions or
until the muscles are fatigued.
In fig. 4, the device 10 is configured to exercise forehead
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muscles including the frontalis muscle that raises the forehead and the
levator
talpevrae superoris that raises the upper eyebrow area. The elastic loop 22
encircles the user's head 14, extending around the forehead, sides, and back,
and the pad assemblies 16, 18 are positioned on the forehead, one over each of
the user's eyes. The user contracts the forehead muscles by raising his or her
eyebrows and holds far a few seconds. This may be repeated 10-15 times or
until muscles are fatigued.
In fig. 5, the device is configured to exercise muscles of the
chin, jaw, cheeks and neck, including the masseter muscle and the digastricus
which assists in opening the jaw. The pad assemblies 16, 18 are displaced
along the elastic loop 22 until separated by a few centimeters, and positioned
below the user's chin 30. The strap 24 is oriented in a horizontal plane,
encircling the back of the user's neck. The elastic Ioop 22 is oriented in a
plane that extends upward, and locates against the top of the user's head 14.
The lateral forces applied by the straps 22, 24 to each of the pad assemblies
16, 18 substantially counterbalance, and the pads sit comfortably on the
user's
face 20. Muscles are contracted by opening the mouth, and held for a few
seconds. Once again, the user will typically perform 10-15 repetitions.
Reference is made to fig. 6 which illustrates another facial
exercise device 60. The device 60 includes a strap assembly 62 formed from a
single loop 64 of elastic strap and a toggle fastener 66. The device 60 uses a
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compound pad assembly 68 with a flexible plastic base 74 formed with
expanded oval ends 76, 78 and a narrow bridging member 80 extending
between the opposing ends 76, 78. The base 74 may alternatively be formed
of cloth or elastic materials. Oval skin-engaging pads 82, 84 are adhered to
the opposing oval ends 76, 78. The strap 64 is threaded through slots 86, 88
at
opposing ends of the base 74 effectively dividing the endless loop 64 into two
distinct straps 70, 72. The pad assembly 68 can be displaced along the loop 64
for different exercise routines.
The device 60 can be used to exercise different sets of muscles
in the face. In fig. 7, the pad assembly 68 is positioned with its bridging
member 80 spanning the user°s nose 32, and the pads 82, 84 below the
user's
eyes for exercise of muscles under the eyes and at the cheeks (only the pad 84
being apparent in fig. 7). The straps 70, 72 and the bridging member 80 define
three tensioned lengths 90 of strap (numbered only in fig. 7) that define a
y junction 92 (indicated only in fig. 7). The junction 92 presses the pad 84
reliably into engagement with a selected spot on the user's face 20. Fig. 8
shows the device 60 configured for exercising the muscles of the forehead, and
fig. 9 shows the device 60 configured for exercise of muscles of the chin,
jaw,
cheeks and neck. These exercises and others described below are performed
using the facial movements and repetitions described above with reference to
the device 10.
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Reference is made to fig. 10 which illustrates another facial
exercise device 94. The device 94 is similar in construction to the device 60,
and components common to the devices 60, 94 have been identified with the
same reference numbers. The distinguishing feature of the device 64 is that
the bridging member 74 is no longer formed with clearance holes, and the
elastic loop 64 is simply sewn to the opposing ends 76, 78 of the plastic
base.
As apparent in figs. 11-13, the device 94 can be used to selectively exercise
different groups of facial muscles.
Reference is made to fig. 14 which illustrates another facial
exercise device 100. The device 100 comprises an elastic strap assembly 102
that includes a short elastic strap 104 that tensions across the user's face
20,
and a pair of longer elastic straps 106, 108 that locate about the sides and
back
of the user's head 14. The short strap 104 has opposing ends 110, l.12. Each
of the longer straps 106, 108 has one end 114 or 116 sewn to the end 110 of
the short strap 104, forming a y junction 118. Each of the longer straps 106,
108 has an opposing end 120 or 122 similarly fastened to the other end 112 of
the short strap 104, forming another y junction 124. A pair of pad assemblies
126, 128 are fastened to the strap assembly 102 at the y junctions 118, 124.
The pad assembly 128 is typical and more apparent in the view
of fig. 15. The pad assembly 128 includes a flexible plastic base 130 with a
rounded rectangular periphery. A skin-gripping pad 132 is fastened with an
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adhesive to the plastic base 130 but may be sewn or he;at welded depending on
the materials used in the pad. An aligned pair of slots 136 are formed along
one end of the plastic base 130, traverse to the lengthv~rise axis of the base
130,
and pass the ends 120, 122 of the longer straps 106, 108. The short strap 104
is threaded through a single slot 138 formed along an opposing lengthwise end
of the base 130 and then through a central pair of transverse slots 140. The
slots 140 are parallel and dimensioned to pass the y junction 124, allowing
for
gross lateral positioning of the pad assemblies 126, 12.8. When tensioned, the
y junctions 118, 124 permit reliable positioning of the pad assemblies 126,
128, substantially as discussed above.
The versatility of the facial exercise device 100 is apparent in
figs. 16-18. In fig. 16, the pad assemblies 126, 128 acre positioned below the
user's eyes for exercise of muscles of the cheeks. In this configuration, the
short strap 104 is tensioned horizontally across the user's nose 32. The
longer
straps 106, 108 locate respectively against the back of the user's head 14 and
below the user's chin 30. In fig. 17, the pad assemblies 126, 128 are placed
on
the user's forehead immediately over each eye, to exercise muscles of the
forehead. The short strap 104 is now tensioned horizontally across the user's
forehead, and the longer straps 106, 108 once again locate against the back of
the user's head 14 and below the user's chin 30. In the configuration of fig.
18,
the device 100 allows the user to exercise muscles of the chin, jaw, cheeks,
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and neck. The short strap 104 is tensioned across the user's chin 30, and the
longer strap 106 extends over the head 14 and the other strap 108 bears
against
the back of the neck.
Reference is made to fig. 19 which illustrates yet another facial
exercise device 150. The device 150 is similar in general construction to the
device 100 and uses the same strap assembly 102. Components common to
the devices 100, 150 are consequently indicated with like reference numbers.
The principal difference resides in the construction of pad assemblies 152,
154. The pad assembly 154 is typical and more apparent in the view of fig. 20.
The pad assembly 154 comprises a generally oval pad 156 of
santoprene/. A cloth backing 158 overlays the pad 156 and may be sewn,
adhered or otherwise fastened to the periphery of the pad 156. The pad
assembly 154 is configured to mount about the y junction 124 formed by the
short bridging strap 104 and the head-encircling straps I 06, 108. The pad
assembly 154 defines an opening 160 from which the short bridging strap 104
extends in one lateral direction, and a pair of openings 162, 164 (though a
single opening can be used) from which the two straps 106, 108 extend
generally in the opposite lateral direction. This arrangement permits the pad
assemblies 152, 154 to be displaced laterally to adjust their spacing. As
apparent in figs. 21-23, the device 1S0 can be used to exercise various
muscles in the face, essentially as described with reference to the device 100
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above.
It will be appreciated that particular embodiments of the
invention have been described and that modifications may be made therein
without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
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