US3507493A - Eye and forehead area muscle exerciser and method of use - Google Patents

Description

April 1979 B. N. ROBINS EYE AND FOREHEAD AREA MUSCLE EXERICISER AND METHOD OF USE Filed July 11, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ORB/CULAR/S OCUL/ LL. v

Betty N. Robins INVENTOR.

BY M

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BY Mm B. N. ROBINS 3,507,493

United States Patent M 3,507,493 EYE AND FOREHEAD AREA MUSCLE EXERCISER AND METHOD OF USE Betty N. Robins, 17365 Westover Road, Southfield, Mich. 48075 Filed July 11, 1967, Ser. No. 652,500 Int. Cl. A63b 23/00, 21/00; A61f /00 US. Cl. 27282 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An exerciser which, in its basic form, is contoured so as to overlie and partially surround the eye area and define a means for both smoothing the skin and forming a resilient resistance to a physical movement of the involved muscles during the exercising procedure. A basic modification includes the provision of an enlarged forehead portion which functions in a similar manner as both a skin smoothing and wrinkle preventing cover for the forehead, in addition to a resilient resistance against which the forehead muscles can be stressed, and thereby strengthened. The device itself, in both forms, includes a substantially rigid base contoured to the particular portion of the face involved, and an inner resilient cushioning layer capable of being molded directly to the face and providing a nonabrasive resilient resistance to the exercising movement of the involved muscles.

The instant invention is generally a facial exerciser, and more particularly relates to an exercising device specifically adapted for use in strengthening the muscles surrounding the eye socket or orbit, the orbicularis oculi muscles, as well as the forehead muscles, the frontalis muscles.

It is a primary object of the instant invention to provide an exerciser, which in strengthening the above referred to muscles, operates so as to remove facial wrinkles in the forehead and eye areas and hence present a more youthful appearance to the user of the apparatus.

Further, it is a highly significant object of the instant invention to provide an exerciser or exercising apparatus which is extremely simple to use, involving only an actual placing of the device against the face in the proper location and exerting specific physical movements of the involved facial portions.

Another important object of the instant invention resides in the provision of a device which is both highly unique, while at the same time being structurally simple, incorporating no moving parts, and hence capable of being economically produced.

Finally, it should be appreciated that another significant object of the instant invention resides in the particular methods of utilizing the device so as to achieve the maximum muscle strengthening benefit therefrom.

Basically, the exerciser or exercising device of the instant invention comprises a one piece body or base of rigid material contoured so as to overlie the entire eye area and encircle the outer ends of the two eyes. An inner layer of a resilient cushioning material, such as foam rubber or a plastic equivalent thereof, is provided on the body for direct engagement against the face so as to in effect provide a resilient resistance, in a nonabrasive manner, to the physical manipulation of the involved muscles which in itself is effected through a raising and lowering of the upper and lower eyelids as well as an upward and downward movement of the forehead.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Patented Apr. 21, 1970 FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of the device of the instant invention applied to a users face with portions of the face broken away so as to illustrate the involved muscles;

FIGURE 2 is a side view similar to FIGURE 1 with the device illustrated in cross-section;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the exercising device;

FIGURE 4 is a partial front elevational view similar to FIGURE 1 illustrating a mounted modified form of the device;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view with the mounted device illustrated in cross-section; and

FIGURE 6 is a perspecive view of the modified device.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 10 is used to generally designate the basic exerciser or exercising device comprising the instant invention. This device 10 consists of an outer shell-like body or base 12 of a rigid shape-sustaining material contoured so as to overlie the eye area and partially surround the opposite ends thereof as will be readily appreciated from FIGURES l and 2. In being contoured to the eye area, the base 12 assumes a generally arcuate configuration with an elongated central section 14 which is adapted to directly overlie the upper portion of the orbicularis oculi muscles of both eyes, this being generally over the eyebrow area above the eye socket or orbit. At the center of the elongated portion 14, there is a downward dip 16 which overlies the bridge or root area of the nose and the area wherein the orbicularis oculi and frontalis muscles blend into each other. The opposed side portions 18 of the base 12, integrally formed with the elongated central portion 14, are sharply downward so as to curve about the outer portion of the corresponding orbit and overlie that portion of the orbicularis oculi muscles which encircle the outer corners of the eyes. It will also be noted that the extreme end sections 20 of the side portions 18 slightly underlie the eyes. As will be appreciated, in contouring the base 12 to the eye area, the downwardly curving end or side portions 18 are maintained in generally the same arcuate plane of the elongated central portion 14 with possibly a slight outward bulging so as to accommodate the cheek bones.

Intimately bonded to and coextensive with the inner face of the base 12 is a layer 22 of a resilient soft cushioning material, such as sponge rubber or a plastic equivalent thereof. This layer 22 is to engage, during the use of the device 10, directly against the face of the user and, upon the application of a minimum pressure utilized to hold the device 10 in position, mold slightly to the face and produce a nonabrasive resilient resistance to the movement of the muscles involved in the actual exercise. In other words, the layer 22 will form a surface against which the muscles can be stressed which in turn will result in a strengthening and tightening of the involved muscles.

In actual use, the device 10 is positioned as illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 and held snugly against the face by the users hands pressing the two side or end portions 18 against the face just outward of the outer ends of the eyes in generally the temple area. It will be appreciated that, notwithstanding the rigid nature of the base 12, the particular elongated arcuate configuration thereof will result in a slight degree of resilient flexibility which will enhance the snug engagement with the face. In order to strengthen and tighten the muscles beneath the eyes and eliminate crows feet and wrinkles at the outer portions of the eyes and the adjoining temple areas, the device is initially positioned and held by the two hands as noted above. The user then raises her eyes up and subsequently slowly moves the lower eyelids upwardly and inwardly as high as possible, and subsequently slowly returns the eyelids to their normal open position. The snug engagement of the foam rubber layer 22 about the eyes and below the outer end portions thereof, will resiliently resist this movement of the lower lids and require the exertion of an effort to effect this movement, thereby tending to strengthen and tighten the involved muscles. The actual resistance to movement can be varied depending upon how tightly the device 10 is to be held in position.

When it is desired to strengthen the muscles above the eyes, and thereby result in a raising of the eyebrows and upper lids, the eyebrows and upper lids, through the muscles thereof, are moved up and down slowly against the resistance of the cushioning layer 22 with the lids continuing to a tightly closed position and subsequently slowly returned to a full open position. As is the case with any type of exercise, fixed daily periods should of course be set aside for the exercises with the user taking care so as to not overstress the muscles involved.

Referring now specifically to FIGURES 4, and 6, it will be noted that a slightly modified form of the exerciser or exercising device has been illustrated therein, this illustrated form being generally designated by reference numeral 24.

Basically, the device 24 differs from the device in that the longitudinal central portion 14 of the device 10, in the device 24, arcs upwardly and rearwardly so as to define an enlarged arcuate shell-like portion 26 which is so contoured as to conform to the forehead of a user and overlie the forehead or frontalis muscles. The materials of the modified exerciser 24 are the same as those of the exerciser 10, consisting basically of a rigid base 28 and a resilient soft cushioning layer 30 conforming to and intimately bonded to the inner surface of the base 28 so as to engage the face and provide a muscle strengthening resistance during the various exercising manipulations of the involved facial areas. As will be appreciated from the drawings, the forehead portion 26 will preferably terminate immediately below the hairline, generally following the hairline rearwardly and into overlying relation to the auricularis anterior muscles laterally outward and slightly above the eye areas. In being contoured to the involved face areas, it will of course be appreciated that the exerciser 24 follows the same general arcuate configuration of the device 10 while at the same time arching upwardly so as to follow the upward and slight rearward slope of the forehead.

The device 24 can be utilized in performing the exercises described supra in connection with the device 10, and in addition can be utilized to strengthen and tighten the muscles of the forehead, and thereby diminish horizontal lines and wrinkles in this area. In exercising the forehead or frontalis muscles, the device 24, after being positioned on the eye and forehead areas, is held in place by the two hands of the user engaging the side portions of the device 24 and pressing inwardly against the temple area of the head. Next, the forehead muscles, as well as the upper portion of the eye muscles around the eyebrows, are slowly moved upward and downward against the resistance of the cushioning layer 30. Incidently, one other advantage of the device 24 is that the upper forehead portion 26 can be utilized in eliminating the tendency for the forehead to wrinkle while performing the eye exercises as described supra in connection with the device 10, thereby enabling the user of the device to concentrate on the eye area without affecting the forehead area.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a highly unique facial exerciser has been defined. This exerciser, consisting of a contoured unit, provides a firm base against which the involved muscles can be physically manipulated and stressed so as to effect the desired strengthening and tightening of these muscles and the resultant elimination of wrinkles and sagging facial portions.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A facial exerciser utilized in the performance of exercises adapted to strengthen the orbicularis oculi muscles, said exerciser comprising a thin one-piece body of rigid material, said body having an inner surface, an inner layer of resilient soft cushioning material coextensive with and intimately bonded to the inner surface of the body, said body having a configuration including a generally arcuate elongated central portion conforming to the area of a persons face immediately above the eyes for enabling a flush engagement of the corresponding portion of the coextensive inner layer With the face in immediate overlying relation to the upper portion of the orbicularis oculi muscles of the eyes for resiliently resisting movement of these muscles during an exercising procedure, said one-piece body further including an opposed pair of integral end portions curving downwardly from the opposite ends of the central portion, said end portions curving inwardly toward each other whereby said end portions are adapted to encircle the outer corners of a pair of eyes and slightly underly said eyes, said end portions being positionable in overlying relation to that portion of the orbicularis oculi muscles which encircle the outer corners of the eyes for an engagement of the corresponding portions of the inner layer thereover to form, upon engagement with a face, a resilient resistance to movement of the subjacent muscles during an exercising procedure, the inner surface of the body, and hence the coextensive inner layer thereon, being configured so as to conform to and lie flat against the face of a user, said end portions generally lying in the same arcuate plane as the generally arcuate elongated central portion.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said body is of a substantially constant width throughout the entire length thereof, the central portion of said body including a centrally located downward dip therein for overlying and engaging the muscles in the facial area at the root of the nose of a person.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the central portion of said body is enlarged laterally upward so as to overlie and have the coextensive inner layer in intimate engagement with a users forehead in movement resisting orienta tion relative to the frontalis muscles, the laterally enlarged central portion curving along a laterally directed arcuate path so as to conform to the curvature of a forehead.

4. A method of exercising facial muscles utilizing a device positionable over and contacting the muscle area above and about the outer ends of a persons eyes comprising the steps of holding the device in engagement with the muscle area, and alternately raising and lowering one eyelid on each eye and stressing the corresponding muscles against the resistance produced by the overlying device.

5. The method of claim 4 including the additional step of moving the forehead muscles alternately up and down against the resistance of the overlying device.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 692,303 2/1902 Kendall 128163 854,509 5/1907 Mabey l28l63 2,151,458 3/1939 Allen 12876 XR 2,392,377 l/l946 Golding. 2,535,434 12/1950 Marietta 29 2,714,716 8/1955 McLennan 2-12 2,832,077 4/1958 McGinnis 2-171 FOREIGN PATENTS 916,745 8/1946 France.

23,540 AD. 1902 Great Britain. 573,706 3/1958 Italy.

RICHARD A. 'GAUDET, Primary Examiner R. L. FRINKS, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 128-76; 272 -s7

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