ISOMETRIC NECK EXERCISE DEVICE

Abstract

An isometric neck exercise device includes a headband and a plurality of wall blocks attached to the headband, configured to allow a wearer to place the headband on his or her head and lean at least one of the wall blocks against a wall for an isometric exercise.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present arrangement is directed to an Isometric Neck Exercise Device for strengthening the human neck and to relieve neck pain and discomfort.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Isometric exercises for the human neck are the safest and the most effective way to strengthen the neck and to relieve neck pain. Experts in the field of human physiology typically recommend that clients use their own hands to provide resistance during isometric exercises for the neck. The problem with this recommendation is that it puts the clients into a very awkward physical position. The muscles in the shoulders and arms of the clients fatigue rapidly and the clients tend to discontinue the neck exercises before the neck really gets the benefit of the intended isometric neck exercise routine.

As an alternate strategy some experts recommend the use of a wall and a ball for the isometric neck exercises. They ask their clients to use a ball that gets placed between the head and the wall. This positioning of the ball is very uncomfortable for the client as the ball can move around and even fall to the ground causing the client's head to collide with force against the wall because the client's full body weight is propelling the collision with the wall.

Prior art neck exercise devices such as neck head harnesses and four way neck machines promote shearing forces since the cervical spine is repeatedly flexed and extended under heavy load which can lead to cervical neck disk herniation, particularly if used improperly or under excessive load. Additionally, such devices are expensive and otherwise complex and difficult to use properly.

For example, a neck head harness with weights, attached through cables, is one typical device used in the prior art as opposed to simply using ones hands. However, such machines have a number of associated neck disk herniations (the cervical section of the spine).

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY

The present arrangement provides for an improved, more cost effective, and easier to use device for facilitating isometric neck exercises. Such a device is safer for the neck since it prevents the repetitive shearing forces on the cervical spine associated with prior art devices, thus reducing the risk of cervical disk delamination and/or eventual disk herniation.

To this end an isometric neck exercise device is provided that includes a headband and a plurality of wall blocks attached to the headband, configured to allow a wearer to place the headband on his or her head and lean at least one of the wall blocks against a wall for an isometric exercise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be best understood through the following description and accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an isometric neck exercise device, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIGS. 2-5 show the isometric neck exercise device of FIG. 1, shown on a mannequin head for illustration, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows the isometric neck exercise device of FIG. 1, with partial removal of pads, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the isometric neck exercise device of FIG. 1, on fitted properly onto a wearer's head, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 9 shows the isometric neck exercise device of FIG. 1, on a wearer's head, in the performance of a rear isometric neck exercise against a wall, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 10 shows the isometric neck exercise device of FIG. 1, on a wearer's head, in the performance of a side isometric neck exercise against a wall, in accordance with one embodiment; and

FIG. 11 shows the isometric neck exercise device of FIG. 1, on a wearer's head, in the performance of a front isometric neck exercise against a wall, in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, an isometric neck exercise device 10 (hereinafter device 10) is shown having a headband 12, four attachment pads 14 on each of the primary facings of headband 12 (front, rear, and both sides), a set of wall blocks 18 located on each of the four attachment pads 14, with each wall block 18 having its own connection element 16 for either connecting it to an attachment pad 14 of headband 12 or to another connection element 16 on another block.

In one embodiment, each of blocks 18 and headband 12 may be made from EVA foam or some similar soft sturdy material that is lightweight. It is noted that headband 12 may be of a flexible material or otherwise adjustable in size to ensure proper fit on different sized heads. Attachment pads 14 and connection elements 16 may be made, for example, of hook and loop material (e.g. Velcro™). It is understood that material selection discussed herein is exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Other foams and plastics and/or connection materials, selected depending on the design criteria, are within the contemplation of the present invention.

In one embodiment it is noted that each of the areas (front, back, and both sides) on headband 12 are shown with blocks 18, but device 10 may be used with less than all four areas as shown in FIG. 6. Moreover, it is contemplated that attachment pads 14 may be implemented as one continuous 360° attachment pad 14 so as to increase the variations available for placement of blocks 18.

Additionally, the illustrated device 10 shows either three (3) or four (4) “stacked” or connected blocks 18 at each location, but it is understood that a wearer may adjust the thickness at each area by adding or subtracting blocks 18 using connection elements 16 and attachment pads 14 to adjust for various factors including, but not limited to height, weight, desired exercise effect, wall shape etc. . . .

Additionally, each of the wall blocks 18 may, in one embodiment as shown, have a flat outer surface that will be placed against an appropriate available wall as illustrated in more detail below. Such blocks 18 may be generally rectangular in shape, but may also exhibit other shapes. For example, blocks 18 may have a rounded and/or slightly rounded shape. Also, it is contemplated that one or more of blocks 18 may have a groove for the wearer's chin for front facing deep neck flexion isometric exercises.

Turning to the use of device 10, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the wearer simply places headband 12 around their head at the desired/appropriate height. Thereafter as illustrated in FIGS. 9-11, device 10 allows the wearer to place one block 18 or set of blocks 18 against any ordinary wall surface that can provide adequate resistance to pressing up against, and commence performing isometric neck exercises. While FIGS. 9-11 illustrate one way of applying pressure to the neck muscles (that is by leaning against the wall using the body weight of the client), there is at least one alternative method.

For example, as an alternative to FIGS. 9-11 the wearer could simply to stand straight up against the wall with the particular wall blocks 18 in place and then press his or her head into blocks 18 whose position is flush with the wall surface. This alternative eliminates the elements of leaning and using one's body weight to apply pressure for a lighter version of the exercise. However, for the purpose of illustrating the use of device 10, FIGS. 9-11 show device 10 on a wearer using a full body lean to perform the isometric exercises.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9 a wearer of device 10 is in a rear leaning position where the 18 provides resistance by its position against the wall. This is a comfortable and safe position that promotes continuous exercising of the muscles involved in the back of the neck. The conditioning of the neck muscles provided is similar to that used in abdominal plank exercises.

In another exemplary use, FIG. 10 shows a wearer using device 10 and blocks 18 on a side of headband 12 placed against the wall for a side neck exercise. Both the position of block(s) 18 and the pressure applied by the leaning body weight of the client allow for the efficient strengthening of the muscles in the side of the neck.

In another exemplary illustration FIG. 11, shows wall blocks 18 placed against the wall with the user facing the wall. Both this positioning of blocks 18 the pressure applied by the forward leaning body weight of the client allow for efficient strengthening of the muscles in the front of the neck.

While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes or equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore, to be understood that this application is intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. An isometric neck exercise device comprising: a headband; anda plurality of wall blocks attached to the headband, configured to allow a wearer to place the headband on their head and lean at least one of the wall blocks against a wall for an isometric exercise.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said headband has a one or more attachment pads.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said wall blocks each have a connection element, for connecting said wall block to said headband.

4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said wall blocks can be connected to one another to increase the thickness of wall blocks at any one location on said headband.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said device includes a plurality wall blocks connected to one another and disposed at at least two separate locations on said headband.