JAWLINE DEVICE

The present invention provides an effective way to strengthen the muscles of the jaw. In general, a device according to the present invention is a device constructed of plastic and resistance rubber to be inserted in the mouth to strengthen the muscles of the jaw to improve the shape of the jawline and increase the strength of the muscles of mastication; wherein the device is dimensioned for placement in the mouth such that a user can repeatedly bite down on the resistance rubber to strengthen the muscles of the jaw. The device can strengthen the temporomandibular joint to reduce the risk of head injury from trauma. The device can be provided with a case to hold and store the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown inFIGS. 1 through 15, the present invention is a device designed to strengthen the muscles of the face and neck generally indicated as10. The device will be used inside of the oral cavity and create resistances that target muscles of mastication. This device creates an easy way to exercise the muscles of the face and neck. Facial fitness has been proven to reduce and even reverse unwanted signs of aging. This device makes facial fitness easier and more efficient using resistance rubber inside the mouth. By biting down repeatedly on the device that offers resistance via rubber suspension, the muscles that attach to the jaw bone will be strengthened and over time hypertrophied. This will lead to a more defined, squarer jaw, which is considered to be more attractive in both sexes, men in particular.

In orthopedics, it is common practice to stabilize a joint by strengthening the muscles that surround that joint. In this case, the muscles of mastication are the muscles that surround the TMJ. Therefore, by strengthening the muscles of mastication, the TMJ becomes more secure and incidence of concussion could decrease. The device of the present invention is specifically designed to strengthen all muscles involved in mastication. By providing resistance to chewing through a rubber and plastic appliance, the muscles around the jaw-joint are strengthened.

FIG. 1is a top view of the device. The device10is constructed of plastic and resistance rubber and includes a generally U-shaped plastic piece connected to two generally rectangular sidepieces12and14, each including holes16and18therein, as well as a connecting member20. The connecting member20includes three segments: a first transverse segment22, a lateral segment24, and a second transverse segment26.

FIG. 2is a side view of the device10showing the sidepieces12and14and the connecting member20.

FIG. 3is a rear view of the device10showing the sidepieces12and14and the connecting member20.

FIG. 4is a top view of the device10showing further detail.

FIG. 5is a side view of the device10showing further detail.

FIG. 6is another top view of the device10showing further detail.

FIG. 7is a perspective view of the device10showing further detail.

FIG. 8is another top view of the device10showing further detail.

FIG. 9is a front view of the device10showing further detail.

FIG. 10is an expanded side view of the device10showing further detail.

FIG. 11is a perspective side view of the device10showing further detail.

The device of the present invention can be packaged with a case. Typically, the case is roughly triangular in shape and is reversibly closable with a hinge that is an integral part of the case. A side view of the case100is shown inFIG. 12. A top view of the case100in opened position is shown inFIG. 13, depicting a first segment102of the case100, a second segment104of the case100, and the hinge106. The case100can further include protrusions108,110, and112to hold the device. A bottom view of the case100in opened position is shown inFIG. 14. A side view of the case100in opened position is shown inFIG. 15. The case can be constructed of any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material, such as metal or a plastic such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polycarbonate.

The device is typically constructed of plastic and resistance rubber; preferably, the resistance rubber is natural rubber.

Typically, the width of the rectangular sidepieces is about 21 mm. The height of the rectangular sidepieces is about 18.44 mm. The length of the rectangular sidepieces is about 25 mm.

Typically, the height of the connecting member20is about 7.39 mm.

Typically, the diameter of the cylindrical hollow is from about 10 to about 15 mm.

Typically, the width of the device as measured from the outer edges is about 80 mm.

Therefore, in general, the present invention comprises a device constructed of plastic and resistance rubber to be inserted in the mouth to strengthen the muscles of the jaw.

Typically, such a device comprises:(1) two rectangular rubber sidepieces, each with a cylindrical hollow and resilient following compression therein; and(2) a plastic U-shaped band which inserts and attaches permanently to the rubber side pieces, wherein the device is dimensioned for placement in the mouth such that a user can repeatedly bite down on the resistance rubber to strengthen the muscles of the jaw;
wherein the device is dimensioned for placement in the mouth such that a user can repeatedly bite down on the resistance rubber to strengthen the muscles of the jaw.

As described above, the device can be sold together with a case to hold and store the device. Accordingly, another aspect of the invention is a kit comprising: (1) a device according to the present invention as described above; and (2) a case dimensioned to hold and store the device.

A device according to the present invention is used by placing the device in the mouth so that the user can bite down repeatedly on it, thereby strengthening the muscles that attach to the jawbone. This will lead to a more defined, squarer jaw line.

Another aspect of the invention is an exercise apparatus for the jaw and facial muscles comprising a generally U-shaped plastic band having two symmetrical ends, which are permanently inserted into two resilient rectangular rubber pieces with a cylindrical hollow at each end, wherein the exercise apparatus is used intra-orally, sitting between back teeth of a user.

In this exercise apparatus, the two resilient rectangular rubber pieces with a cylindrical hollow at each end can be identical and symmetrical tubes wherein each tube has an upper and lower, and inner and outer surface with ridges on the upper and lower surfaces for gripping the teeth.

The exercise apparatus can be inserted into the mouth to strengthen the muscles around the temporomandibular joint including the muscles used in mastication (chewing) and auxiliaries. The exercise apparatus can comprise a plastic U-shaped piece inserted into a rubber, compressible square-like piece at each end which shall sit between the user's back teeth.

The exercise apparatus can have ridges designed to grip the teeth to prevent unwanted sliding front and back. The exercise apparatus can be used by athletes off of the field in a training setting to strengthen the muscles of mastication and auxiliaries. Alternatively, the exercise apparatus can be a facial fitness device used for health and beauty purposes as well as athletics.

The apparatus can be designed for a full contact sport selected from the group consisting of ice hockey, football, lacrosse, martial arts, boxing, field hockey, wrestling, Australian rules football, and rugby. Alternatively, the apparatus can be designed for a limited contact sport selected from the group consisting of basketball, occer, baseball, cycling, gymnastics, inline skating, skateboarding, skiing, snowboarding, volleyball, and softball. In another alternative, the apparatus can be designed for a noncontact sport selected from the group consisting of golf, running, swimming, weightlifting, yoga, pilates, tennis, bowling, shooting, and training.

The apparatus can be used to tighten the skin of the lower face and neck.

The apparatus can be stored in a carrying case and can be cleaned with household antiseptic agents in common use.

Additionally, devices according to the present invention can, by strengthening the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), prevent head injury, such as might occur in contact sports.

Another aspect of the present invention is a jaw muscle exercise device inserted into the mouth comprising a generally U-shaped plastic band including therein two resilient rectangular rubber tubes, whereby, when a user inserts the device into the mouth and bites down repetitively on the upper and lower surfaces of the resilient rubber tubes, the resistance to deformity of the resilient tubes is imparted to the jaw muscles of the user. In this jaw muscle exercise device, the two identical resilient rubber tubes can comprise different rubber grades offering a weight system wherein said rubber of a higher duro will be increasingly more difficult to deform allowing the jaw muscles to experiences a variety of tensions.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for exercising one's jaw muscles comprising the steps of:(1) inserting into one's mouth a jaw muscle exercise device comprising a generally U-shaped plastic band inserted into two identical resilient rubber hollows each of which has an upper and lower surface as well as two lateral surfaces, whereby the upper and lower surfaces are in contact with the upper and lower teeth of the user respectively while the lateral surface deforms and returns in response to the user biting down bilaterally; and(2) repetitively biting down on the jaw exercise device, whereby resistance to deformity of the resilient bodies is repetitively imparted to one's jaw muscles.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for exercising one's jaw muscles comprising the steps of:(1) inserting into one's mouth a jaw muscle exercise device comprising a generally U-shaped plastic band inserted into two identical resilient rubber hollows each of which has an upper and lower surface as well as two lateral surfaces, whereby the upper and lower surfaces are in contact with the upper and lower teeth of the user respectively while the lateral surface deforms and returns in response to the user biting down bilaterally; and(2) repetitively biting down on the jaw exercise device, whereby resistance to deformity of the resilient bodies is repetitively imparted to one's jaw muscles.

Devices according to the present invention can be manufactured by conventional methods of molding rubber products.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a convenient, effective and safe way to strengthen the muscles attached to the jawbone. Use of the device is safe and effective to provide a more pronounced jawline and to strengthen the muscles of the jaw for protection in contact sports. Additionally, a device according to the present invention can strengthen the temporomandibular joint and potentially reduce injuries resulting from trauma.

A device according to the present invention possesses industrial applicability as an article of manufacture.

The inventions illustratively described herein can suitably be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations, not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” etc. shall be read expansively and without limitation. Additionally, the terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the future shown and described or any portion thereof, and it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the inventions herein disclosed can be resorted by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of the inventions disclosed herein. The inventions have been described broadly and generically herein. Each of the narrower species and subgeneric groupings falling within the scope of the generic disclosure also form part of these inventions. This includes the generic description of each invention with a proviso or negative limitation removing any subject matter from the genus, regardless of whether or not the excised materials specifically resided therein.

In addition, where features or aspects of an invention are described in terms of the Markush group, those schooled in the art will recognize that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group. It is also to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments will be apparent to those of in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent publications, are incorporated herein by reference.