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. 4,650,182 to Ross di scloses 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 locates around the neck, and a chin cup. Elastic members extend upward and downward from the two collars to press the chin cup ϊirmly 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 expends 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 muscles. 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 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 so 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 skin 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 and 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. In another aspect, the invention provides 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 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 lock 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 ofpreferred 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; 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. 16-18 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. 21-23 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, 18. The strap assembly 12 includes a strap 22 configured as an endless elastic loop (also referred to as loop 22), and another strap 24 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 locks, 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 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 fhreads. The pad assembly 18 includes a plastic fastener 40 that secures the pad assembly 18 to the straps 22, 24. The fastener 40 has a flat triangular base 41 and a central post 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 the 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. Rivets, snap fasteners, or button and 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, poly vinyl 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 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 eye. These muscles include the caput intra 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 lower 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 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 for 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 loop 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 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. 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. 1 1-13, 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 L 06, 108 that locate about the sides and back of the user's head 14. The short strap 104 has opposing ends 110, 112. 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-j υnction 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 adhesive to the plastic base 130 but may be sewn or heat 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 lengthwise 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, 128. 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 are 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, 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 106, 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 stra s 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 150 can be used to exercise various muscles in the face, essentially as described with reference to the device 100 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.
Facial Exercise Device
Parts List
10 exercise device (figs. 1-5)
12 elastic strap assembly
14 user's head
16, 18 pad assemblies
20 user's face
22 elastic loop (strap configured as loop)
24 elastic strap
26, 28 ends (strap 24)
29 toggle fasteners (2)
30 chin
32 nose
34 pad (pad assembly 18)
35 core (pad 34)
36 cap (pad 34)
37 skin-gripping surface (cap 36)
38 axis
39 undercut (in cap 36 ~ dashed outline & lead line) 0 plastic fastener 1 flat triangular base (fastener 40) 2 post (fastener 40) 4 expanded head (post 42) 6 recess (in core 35 - dashed outline & lead line)
single slot (base 41 - strap 24) pair of slots (base 41 - loop 22) (3) lengths of strap (junction in fig. 2b) 2nd facial exercise device (figs. 6-9) elastic strap assembly elastic loop toggles/strap fasteners (2) compound pad assembly, 72 two distinct straps (defined by elastic loop 64) plastic base (pad assembly 68), 78 pair of enlarged oval end portions (base 74) bridging member (base 74), 84 pads, 88 slots (base 64) tensioned lengths of strap (3) y-junction 3rd facial exercise device (figs. 10-13)-98 not used0 4th facial exercise device (figs. 14-18)2 strap assembly4 short elastic strap6, 108 pair of longer elastic straps (encircle sides and back of head)
110, 112 ends (short strap 104)
114, 116 one end of longer straps 106, 108)
118 junction
120, 122 opposing end of longer straps 106, 108)
124 other junction
126, 128 pair of pad assemblies
130 plastic base (pad assembly 128)
132 pad (pad assembly 128)
134
136 pair aligned slots (base 130)
138 opposing single slot (base 130)
140 pair central slots (base 130)
142-148
150 5th facial exercise device (figs. 19-23)
152, 154 pad assemblies
156 pad
158 cloth backing
160 opening (strap 104 extends thru)
162, 164 pair of openings