Patent Publication Number: US-2003232699-A1

Title: Apparatus for enhancing exercises and methods of using same

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. Ser. No. 10/301,334, filed Nov. 20, 2002, entitled “APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING ISOMETRIC EXERCISES AND METHODS OF USING SAME;” which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/835,187, filed Apr. 12, 2001, entitled “APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING ISOMETRIC AND METHODS OF USING SAME,” now U.S. Pat. No. 6,514,176, the contents of all of which are hereby expressly incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0003] The present invention relates to an apparatus for enhancing isometric and/or isotonic exercises and methods of using same. In particular, the apparatus for enhancing isometric exercises includes a substantially rigid annular exercising assembly which is placed in a user&#39;s mouth and held in place by the user&#39;s lips and more particularly between the user&#39;s lips in such a manner that the user&#39;s upper and lower teeth are not in a substantially engaged position. The substantially rigid annular exercising assembly has an exterior and an interior wall which connect and thereby form a trough. The anterior, medial and posterior surfaces of the user&#39;s lips fit within the trough thereby providing the mechanism for holding the substantially rigid annular exercising assembly within the user&#39;s mouth during exercise. In this manner, the substantially rigid annular exercising assembly is essentially freestanding and does not require the user to grind their teeth, or tense or strain the jaw or Templar-Mandibular Joint. When in place, the substantially rigid annular exercising assembly increases isometric resistance during exercise, weight training, or facial toning. When used as an isotonic exercising aid, the apparatus would be substantially flexible or semi-flexible to thereby allow some movement of a user&#39;s jaw and other facial muscles.  
       SUMMARY OF THE PRIOR ART AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND  
       [0004] During exercise, everyday lifting of heavy objects, childbearing and/or during defecation, muscles which surround the larynx are tensed thereby result in a bracing of the larynx, through such isolation and straining of the larynx muscle fatigue and discomfort is encouraged. Thus, it becomes apparent that the muscle groups integral to the larynx are important to weight lifting and other day to day tasks. When used in such a manner, the larynx acts as a focal bracing point which allows for the straining individual to use the respective muscle groups in order to achieve any of the enumerated tasks. Individuals who have had larnygectomies are typically hindered in their efforts to accomplish such tasks. Further, through isolation and use of the larynx muscle groups, an individual is capable of greater feats of strength than the mere use of muscles of the arms, legs, and/or body along. Indeed, through isolation and tensing of the larynx during exertions of physical strength, other muscle groups are tensed in a “chain reaction” mechanism. Thus, the larynx and the muscle groups surrounding the larynx are important components in aiding activities in which muscle groups must be tensed and/or strained.  
       [0005] Prior art muscle toning apparatuses include U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,357 to Hanna; U.S. Pat. No. 3,014,286 to Hricak; U.S. Pat. No. 3,547,433 to Robins; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,696 to Ramon. All of these patents have a fatal and potentially dangerous flaw—each describes an apparatus which requires the tensing and clinching of the jaw as well as a sustained force which is placed upon the teeth that are in contact with the apparatus. For example, in the Hanna &#39;357 patent it is the user&#39;s teeth which rest upon the apparatus to exert opposite opposing force against one another. Also, as shown in the Hricak &#39;286 patent, the apparatuses oftentimes placed the user&#39;s tongue in an unnatural position and places the jaw in a clinched and tensed position. Prolonged use of these types of devices may lead to jaw joint pain (Templar-Mandibular Joint—“TMJ ” problems), incorrect positioning of the tongue resulting in suffocation and speech difficulties, as well as the degradation of the user&#39;s teeth which may also result in speech and eating difficulties. Clearly, the use of these prior art devices was at the user&#39;s own peril.  
       [0006] Through use of the present invention, the muscles surrounding the larynx are “hyper” tensed-through such “hyper” tension, increased levels of tone and strength is found throughout the above-enumerated muscle groups. Also, if the present invention is used during isometric or isotonic exercises in conjunction with external stimulation, or alone, the same isolation and tensing of the musculature occurs. Thus, the present invention enhances isometric or isotonic exercise thereby increasing the effectiveness of the exercise—less time is required, better body/muscle tone is achieved, healthier tissue is promoted surrounding the joints, and better posture and overall health is achieved.  
       [0007] The present invention, therefore, discloses an apparatus for enhancing isometric or isotonic exercises as well as methods of using same. The apparatus disclosed and claimed herein does not suffer from the same problems as the prior art devices. Indeed, the present invention maintains the jaw in a substantially relaxed position whereby the user&#39;s teeth are not in contact with one another.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008] The present invention is directed to an isometric or isotonic resistance apparatus. The isometric or isotonic resistance apparatus includes a substantially rigid annular exercising assembly in one embodiment and a substantially flexible or semi-flexible annular exercising assembly in another embodiment either of which is sized and shaped so as to fit between the user&#39;s lips. The annular exercising assembly is further characterized as having an exterior wall and an interior wall and a trough formed by the connection of the exterior wall to the interior wall, wherein the trough is sized and shaped to accept the user&#39;s lips therein. When the user&#39;s lips are inserted in the trough, the user&#39;s upper and lower teeth are kept in a substantially non-engaged position.  
       [0009] In one embodiment the interior wall has an exterior surface substantially adjacent an exterior peripheral surface of the user&#39;s teeth and wherein the exterior wall has an interior surface which is substantially adjacent an exterior peripheral surface of a user&#39;s mouth. The apparatus may also be fabricated from a plastic or from plastic laminates or other composite materials which are moldable and capable of being fitted and fine-tuned to fit the size and shape of a user&#39;s individual mouth. Any material which allows for either isometric or isotonic exercise and which is also suitable for hygienic use in a user&#39;s mouth is considered for use in the present invention.  
       [0010] The present invention also includes methods for enhancing isometric or isotonic resistance during exercise. One such method includes the steps of providing a substantially rigid annular exercising assembly or a substantially flexible or semi-flexible annular exercising assembly which is sized and shaped so as to fit in a user&#39;s mouth between an upper lip area and a lower lip area. The substantially rigid annular exercising assembly has an exterior wall and an interior wall and a trough formed by the connection of the exterior wall to the interior wall. The trough is sized and shaped to accept the user&#39;s lips therein, and when the user&#39;s lips are inserted in the trough, the user&#39;s upper and lower teeth are kept in a substantially non-engaged position. A second or additional step includes placing the substantially rigid annular exercising assembly in the user&#39;s mouth between the upper lip area and the lower lip area. Finally, the user compresses the substantially rigid annular exercising assembly between the upper lip area and the lower lip area and performs a predetermined exercise while the substantially annular exercising assembly is compressed between the upper lip area and the lower lip area.  
       [0011] In a preferred embodiment, during the step of providing a substantially rigid annular exercising assembly, the interior wall has an exterior surface substantially adjacent an exterior peripheral surface of the user&#39;s teeth and wherein the exterior wall has an interior surface which is substantially adjacent an exterior peripheral surface of a user&#39;s mouth. Also, the substantially rigid annular exercising assembly may be fabricated from a plastic or plastic laminate or other composite moldable materials. Any material which allows for either isometric or isotonic exercise and which is also suitable for hygienic use in a user&#39;s mouth is considered for use in the present invention.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0012]FIG. 1 is a side pictorial view of the annular exercising assembly of the present invention.  
     [0013]FIG. 2 is a front pictorial view of the annular exercising assembly of the present invention.  
     [0014]FIG. 3 is a side pictorial view of the annular exercising assembly of the present invention in use.  
     [0015]FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the annular exercising assembly of the present invention.  
     [0016]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the annular exercising assembly of the present invention.  
     [0017]FIG. 6 is a side plan view of the annular exercising assembly of the present invention.  
     [0018]FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the annular exercising assembly of the present invention.  
     [0019]FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the alternate embodiment of the annular exercising assembly shown in FIG. 7.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0020] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
     [0021] The present invention encompasses an annular exercising (either isometric or isotonic exercises) assembly for use within a user&#39;s mouth, and more particularly, between the user&#39;s lips in such a manner that the user&#39;s upper and lower teeth are not in a substantially engaged position. The annular exercising assembly is shown generally in the side pictorial view of FIG. 1, the front pictorial view of FIG. 2, and the front, top, and side plan views of FIGS. 4, 5, and  6  respectively, and referenced by numeral  10 . Annular exercising assembly  10  is generally defined as having an exterior member  12  and an interior member  14 . The exterior member  12  is kept in a spaced apart relationship to the interior member  14 . Exterior member  12  also has an exterior peripheral edge  20 , and the interior member  14  has an interior peripheral edge  30 .  
     [0022] The exterior peripheral edge  20  has an exterior side  21  and an interior side  22  and the interior peripheral edge  30  has an interior side  31  and an exterior side  32 . A trough shaped area  40  is generally defined by the area between the exterior peripheral edge  20  and the interior peripheral edge  30  and the bottom of the trough shaped area  40  is generally defined as the intersection of the exterior peripheral edge  20  and the interior peripheral edge  30 . The annular exercising assembly  10  has a passageway  50  extending there-through extending from the exterior side  21  of the exterior peripheral edge  20  to the exterior side  32  of the interior peripheral edge  30 .  
     [0023] The annular exercising assembly  10  also has a passageway  50  extending from the exterior side  21  of the exterior peripheral edge  20  to the exterior side  32  of the interior peripheral edge  30 . The passageway  50  can be more easily seen in the front pictorial view of FIG. 2 which shows a frontal view of the annular exercising assembly  10 . The passageway  50  can be of any shape so long as it permits visual inspection of the inside of the mouth during use. Such visualization is important to ensure that the teeth are kept in a centric position, thereby maintaining (1) the TMJ joint in a relaxed state and (2) an unobstructed airway. Indeed the unobstructed airway allows a user to keep an appropriate and necessary means of air intake and CO 2  exhalation from the user during exercise thereby allowing for unimpeded respiration.  
     [0024] The annular exercising assembly  10  is generally sized and shaped to fit an individual user&#39;s mouth and lip structure. Thus, it will be appreciated that the annular exercising assembly  10  is preferably custom fitted and/or fabricated to each user&#39;s unique mouth/lip structure. Although such customization is desirous, one may make a general adaptation of the annular exercising assembly  10  which would fit the size and shape of a broad range of user&#39;s mouths and/or lip structures. For example, if the user&#39;s mouth is small and narrow, (and hence the lip structure would also be narrow) the annular exercising assembly  10  would be sized and shaped to fit the small and narrow opening created by the user when the user&#39;s (1) mouth and lips are barely open and (2) the upper and lower teeth are almost touching. Furthermore, since the annular exercising assembly  10  is “free standing”—i.e. held in place solely by the lip and gum tissue of the user—sizing and shaping the annular exercising assembly  10  to each unique and individual user is preferred. Such a “free standing” configuration is ideally suited to most isometric or isotonic exercises where the user&#39;s hands are often needed for balance and/or gripping.  
     [0025] The annular exercising assembly  10  is fabricated from any shape-sustaining or shape-retaining material which can be molded to fit a general form and/or custom fitted to a specific user. Examples of appropriate shape-sustaining or shape-retaining materials which can be used in the present invention include nontoxic plastics, plastic laminates, or acrylics such as dental acrylic. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the annular exercising assembly  10  of the present invention can be fabricated from a multitude of materials and such range of materials that are useful in the present invention is only limited by the need to have a material that is substantially rigid, substantially flexible, or semi-flexible and that is also shape-sustaining or shape-retaining.  
     [0026] Placement of the user&#39;s lips in the annular exercising assembly  10  is shown in the cross-sectional side pictorial view of FIG. 3. A user  55  places the annular exercising assembly  10  between the user&#39;s  55  lips. An upper lip portion  60  of the user  55  and a lower lip portion  70  of the user  55  are placed into the trough shaped area  40 . The upper lip portion  60  has an outside surface  61  and an inside surface  62 , while the lower lip portion  70  has an outside surface  71  as well as an inside surface  72 . Thus, and is shown in FIG. 3, when in place in the user&#39;s  55  mouth, the exterior member  12  of the annular exercising assembly  10  is outside the user&#39;s  55  mouth, while the interior member  14  of the annular exercising assembly  10  is inside the user&#39;s  55  mouth. In this manner, the annular exercising assembly  10  is held in place in the user&#39;s  55  mouth.  
     [0027] More particularly, when the annular exercising assembly  10  is placed between the user&#39;s  55  lips the interior side  22  of the exterior peripheral edge  20  is adjacent the outside surface  61  of the upper lip portion  60  as well as the outside surface  71  of the lower lip portion  70 , and the interior side  31  of the interior peripheral edge  30  is adjacent the inside surface  62  of the upper lip portion  60  as well as the inside surface  72  of the lower lip portion  70 . In the same manner, when the annular exercising assembly  10  is placed between the user&#39;s  55  lips and more particularly the exterior side  32  of the interior peripheral edge  30  is adjacent an outside surface  81  of the user&#39;s  55  teeth  80 .  
     [0028] In using the annular exercising assembly  10 , the user  55  places the annular exercising assembly  10  between their lips also more particularly as outlined herein above. Once the annular exercising assembly  10  is in place, the user  55  brings the upper lip portion  60  toward the lower lip portion  70 . By bringing the upper lip portion  60  toward the lower lip portion  70  while using the annular exercising assembly  10 , the user  55  is able to contract, stain, and/or tense the muscles surrounding the larynx thereby increasing the isometric or isotonic resistance and/or effect of the a particular exercise being undertaken. Alternatively or in combination with bringing the upper lip portion  60  toward the lower lip portion  70 , the user  55  may contract and bring a right corner lip portion  65  toward a left corner lip portion  75 . In this manner, all the muscle groups surrounding the lips face, neck and larynx can be exercised in a sequential fashion.  
     [0029]FIG. 4 is a frontal view of the annular exercising assembly  10  in a user&#39;s  55  mouth. As can be appreciated from FIG. 4, when the annular exercising assembly  10  is placed in the user&#39;s  55  mouth, and the upper lip portion  60  is brought toward the lower lip portion  70 , the user&#39;s  55  teeth  80  are in a relaxed position—i.e. an upper set  82  of the teeth  80  do not engage a lower set  83  of the teeth  80 . In this manner, the TMJ joint is neither stressed nor tensed during use of the annular exercising assembly  10 .  
     [0030] During use, the annular exercising assembly  10  tenses the soft palate and the tongue base which includes the pharyngeal muscles. Indeed, the annular exercising assembly  10  globally exercises numerous muscle groups thereby, isometrically or isotonically toning the face, neck and body simultaneously. Through exercising these muscle groups, incidences of sleep apnea can be reduced and or eliminated for example, the annular exercising assembly  10  tones the muscles of the soft palate, tongue and tongue base, as well as the pharyngeal area. The toning of these muscles is instrumental in the reduction of sleep apnea incidents. Swallowing disorders can also be decreased through the toning of the muscle groups and vocal output is strengthened and clarified. Through use of the annular exercising assembly  10 , muscles of the nasal region and especially the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi and the nares in general tighten. Through such tightening, the formation of polyps in the sinuses (which restrict airflow) can be substantially reduced. This effect may be attributed to a massaging quality to the movement of the maxillary and nasal muscles with increased blood flow to the sinuses. By changing the type and duration of exercises used with the annular exercising assembly  10 , individual muscle groups can be targeted thereby, specifically toning the face and neck for example, thereby giving the user a more youthful appearance. In general, the annular exercising assembly  10  generally activates and/or tenses the following muscle groups: Nasal region, Maxillary region, Mandibular region, Intermaxillary region, Tempero-mandibular region, the Pterygo-mandibular region and the labial region. Further, the annular exercising assembly  10  employs leverage and tensing of the Thyroid cartilage and results in intensified muscle toning in a minimum amount of time.  
     [0031] Since the annular exercising assembly  10  is held in place only by the user&#39;s lips, no stress or strain is placed on the TMJ joint by compression of the teeth or an excursion of the jaws. The use of the annular exercising assembly  10  during exercise will not effect the delicate balance of the TMJ joint and further serves to strengthen the tissues and muscles surrounding the TMJ joint, thus resulting in a better support system for the TMJ joint.  
     [0032] The annular exercising assembly  10  also aids in globally exercising the lip and mid-face muscles in two movements, thus allowing the muscles to work together and results in a faster toning process, one example of such toning resulting in preservation of the bow effect of the upper lip. In toning the lips a user  55  is able to prevent and/or minimize the appearance of wrinkles and eliminates painful cracking of the lips from deep wrinkles. As we age musculature around the mouth and neck weakens. Using the annular exercising assembly  10 , a user can arrest such muscle deterioration. Once the annular exercising assembly  10  has been placed between the user&#39;s  55  lips, a regimen of isometric or isotonic exercises are preformed in both a vertical plane, by compressing the upper lip portion  60  toward the lower lip portion  70 , and in a horizontal plane by compressing the right corner lip portion  65  toward the left corner lip portion  75 . Thus, the present invention is an isometric or isotonic exercising tool that is freestanding in construction and is held in place by the user&#39;s  55  lips without the need for an external support mechanism or intra oral support system past the lingual wall and anterior gum. The annular exercising assembly  10  is held by the user&#39;s  55  lips in the anterior, medial or posterior position and is capable of exercising all the muscles in at least two movements. In this manner, many muscle groups are exercised in isolation as well as in relation to one another. Strengthening of these muscle groups effectively improves posture and endurance necessary for tedious and repetitious tasks which involve body postures that stress the neck and facial muscles. One effect is the diminished appearance of a double chin and a more defined jaw line which increases the user&#39;s  55  youthful appearance.  
     [0033] The structure of the annular exercising assembly  10  holds the user&#39;s  55  lips in a neutral position while the user  55  performs an isometric or isotonic exercise. By keeping the lips in a neutral position, a contraction and/or pursing of any part of the lips, which may reinforce the presence of wrinkles, is prevented. Furthermore, since the annular exercising assembly  10  supports the anterior surface of the lips, use of the annular exercising assembly  10  preserves the youthful appearance of the bow effect in the upper mid-lip area.  
     [0034] The use of the annular exercising assembly  10  results in toned mid-face muscles thereby giving a younger appearance to the mid-face and jaw area. Through the toning of the mid-face muscles which are used in the mastication of food, older users will find that they acquire a stronger bite and have greater ease in chewing boluses.  
     [0035] Through use of the annular exercising assembly  10 , the whole body of the user  55  may be isometrically or isotonically exercised. The annular exercising assembly  10  may be used only to tone the facial neck areas or it may be used in conjunction with isometric or isotonic exercises using only body parts or other exercising equipment that allows the holding of muscle groups in a tensed position. In this manner the whole body can be exercised in less than five minutes thereby saving time and increasing muscle tone. Increased muscle tone helps support tissue surrounding the joints and does not allow the joints to slip thereby decreasing injuries to the joints. The toning of the muscle groups will also delay the atrophy of these muscles. Combining the annular exercising assembly  10  with isometric or isotonic exercises using chest and/or back muscle groups gives a more defined appearance of the pectoralis muscles and adds strength to the upper torso. Women user&#39;s thereby firm and increase breast tissue leading to an increased bust size. Thus, through use of the annular exercising assembly  10  and simple upper body exercises, costly and dangerous breast implants can be avoided, as well as the inherent risks in any such surgery.  
     [0036] Use of the annular exercising assembly  10  may be enhanced by using the device in a laying down position and pressing the palms of the hands together across the chest.  
     [0037] During times of constipation, use of the annular exercising assembly  10  during bowel movements results in the pushing of fecal matter through the colon/anus by contractions of the muscles in a top downward movement rather than the straining in the perineum area. In this manner, the use of laxatives and/or enemas can be eliminated and the decrease in straining will result in the prevention of enlarging hemorrhoids. Use of the annular exercising assembly  10  with muscle contractions focused on the perineum area results in further strengthening of the bowel and bladder walls. Results from this combination of exercises and the annular exercising assembly  10  control incontinence better than the use of Kegel exercised done with muscle contraction of the peritoneal area alone. Eliminating and/or controlling incontinence in this manner decreases the economic (cost of pads etc.) and social (isolation etc.) impacts of a user who is incontinent. Finally, use of the annular exercising assembly  10  with a regular exercise regimen leads to a massaging effect of the vascular system thereby resulting in a lowering of a user&#39;s blood pressure and concomitant circulatory disorders.  
     [0038] An alternate embodiment of the annular exercising assembly  10  is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In this alternate embodiment, the annular exercising assembly  10  further includes at least one connection member  100  having an elongated tubular assembly  105 , having a first end  110 , and a second end  120 .  
     [0039] The first and second ends  110 ,  120  respectively are connected to the exterior side  21  of the exterior member  12 , so as to define a passageway  130 . The passageway  130  and the elongated tubular assembly  105  form the at least one connection member  100 . The at least one connection member  100  serves the purpose of having an exterior point on the annular exercising assembly  10  to allow a user, physical therapist, doctor and/or aide (to name but a few) to position, hold, or remove the annular exercising assembly  10  in the user&#39;s mouth. Additionally, the at least one connection member  100  provides a loop or hoop like device to which a cord (not shown) may be attached. Such a cord (not shown) could allow the user to keep the annular exercising assembly  10  hung about the user&#39;s neck and/or attached to the user&#39;s person in much the same manner as a pacifier may be attached to a baby&#39;s clothes and/or similar to eye-glass chains which allow glasses to be suspended from a user&#39;s neck when not in use.  
     [0040] Thus, it should be apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the present invention an annular exercising assembly  10  and methods for using same that fully satisfy the objectives and advantages set for above. Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.