Patent Publication Number: US-7722301-B2

Title: Device for assisting in neck exercises

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This invention relates generally to devices for assisting a user to exercise the muscles of the neck, and methods for using the same. 
   BACKGROUND 
   The neck is one of the body parts most susceptible to sports-related injuries. Strong, well-developed neck muscles can help protect an athlete&#39;s neck and spine against injury, especially in sports such as wrestling, martial arts, and other contact sports. One of the most common neck exercises is called the “wrestler&#39;s bridge.” It is performed by an athlete lying on his back (supine) on an exercise surface such as a floor or exercise mat, then arching his back and placing the soles of his feet on the surface, while simultaneously supporting the weight of his body with his head, neck, and feet. This uses the weight of the athlete&#39;s body as resistance against the muscles of the neck. The wrestler&#39;s bridge may also be performed from a prone, or stomach-down, position using the head and feet or knees to support the body. Once in the bridge position, the athlete may change the resistance level and direction by rocking his hips, or by rolling his head in one direction or another to work the muscles of the neck. The bridge is a particularly effective and relatively safe exercise because it uses the athlete&#39;s own body weight as resistance, lowering the chance of injury while exercising, and because in the bridge position, the neck is forced to provide stability to the body, providing a more effective workout than that offered by a simple resistance motion in one direction. 
   There are various mechanical devices intended to assist an athlete in strengthening the neck muscles. These devices may use pulleys, collars, and external weights to apply resistance to the motion of the athlete&#39;s neck. Such devices are typically large, expensive, and often work the neck muscles in only one plane of motion. The use of external weights also increases the chance of injury through overexertion during the exercise. Because of this, such devices are typically not suitable for home use, and do not provide a complete workout for all the muscles in the neck. A need exists, therefore, for an easy-to-use and inexpensive device that allows a user to perform a complete workout on the muscles of the neck. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the device described herein. 
       FIG. 1B  shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the device described herein. 
       FIG. 2A  shows an athlete in a typical “wrestler&#39;s bridge” position, using an embodiment of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2B  shows an athlete in an alternative “wrestler&#39;s bridge” position, using an embodiment of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2C  shows an athlete in a typical “wrestler&#39;s bridge” position, using a second embodiment of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2D  shows an athlete in an alternative “wrestler&#39;s bridge” position, using a second embodiment of the device described herein. 
       FIG. 2E  shows an athlete in a typical “wrestler&#39;s bridge” position, using a third embodiment of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2F  shows an athlete in an alternative “wrestler&#39;s bridge” position, using a third embodiment of the device described herein. 
       FIG. 3  shows another embodiment of the device of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
   The drawings of the present invention illustrate various embodiments of the device described and claimed herein, and do not limit the scope of the claims. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , an embodiment of a device  10  for exercising neck muscles includes a headgear  12  having a shell  14  with a lining  16 . The headgear is shaped to fit on a user&#39;s head, and the shell has a convex outer surface, preferably free of flat areas, ridges, or corners. 
   As seen in  FIG. 1B , the lining may include an adjustment mechanism  18  to enable the headgear to fit a range of head sizes. Alternatively, the headgear may be size-specific, or the lining may be removable. Removable linings in various sizes could be sold to be inserted into a common shell. This would allow multiple users to share a common shell, as well as providing a way to remove and clean the lining. 
   As seen in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the headgear may include a chin strap  20 , which preferably includes a chin pad  22 . The chin strap allows the user to secure the headgear to the user&#39;s head, and the chin pad helps properly locate the chin strap and headgear on the user&#39;s head, and provides increased comfort. The chin strap is preferably adjustable in length to accommodate multiple users, and one or both ends of the chin strap may be removably attached to the headgear by means of fasteners  24 . 
   The device shown in  FIG. 1A  further includes a stability strap  26 , which can be used to connect the headgear to a user&#39;s ankle, leg, or foot by an attachment mechanism  28 , which is preferably a loop or band that encircles an ankle, leg, or foot of the user. The attachment loop is preferably adjustable in size. The strap  26  may be fixed length, adjustable, or elastic. This strap provides stability to the headgear, helping the headgear to remain in place when the user moves. The strap  26  may also be used to increase the resistance on the user&#39;s neck. 
   Alternatively, the strap may form a Y-shape with prong ends  27  that can be connected to each of the user&#39;s ankle, leg, or foot, as shown in  FIGS. 2C and 2D . 
   The alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 1B  includes two stability straps  30 , each of which also include attachment mechanism  32  such as an adjustable size loop to fit around the user&#39;s arms, wrists, or hands. Like strap  26 , these two straps may be fixed length, adjustable, or elastic. Alternatively, a single headgear may feature multiple stability straps  26  and  30 , as shown in  FIGS. 2E and 2F . 
   The shell  14  is constructed of a low-friction material that not only protects the user&#39;s head, but allows the headgear to easily slide and pivot on an exercise surface. Suitable low-friction materials include polyoxymethylene, homopolymer acetal, co-polyester, high-density and ultrahigh density polyethylene, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) or, most preferably, polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE/Teflon). Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the low-friction material may include any material with a lower coefficient of friction than the user&#39;s head. The lining  16  is preferably constructed of a washable, compressible material that cushions the user&#39;s head. Suitable materials include polyurethane or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam; however, persons of ordinary skill will realize that any number of compressible materials may be used. 
   Since the purpose of the low-friction material is to allow the headgear to easily slide or pivot without binding on an exercise mat, the shell could be constructed in sections, with the low-friction section on the crown and sides likely to contact the mat, while the other section or sections can be a different material. For ease in molding, however, the shell will likely be molded as a unit. 
   There may be certain exercises when the user does not want the low-friction feature and instead wants the headgear to resist movement across the mat. For that situation, the headgear may further include a removable friction pad  34  attached to the outer surface of the shell. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the friction pad  34  could be in the form of a web that can be stretched over the shell  14 . The friction pad is preferably made from rubber, but may be made from any material that will generate friction between the shell and the exercise surface while conforming to the shape of the shell. The friction pad may be secured to the headgear by means of a circumferential band  36 , or by other removable means, such as suction cups (not shown). 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2D , an athlete  11  may use the device  10  to perform neck exercises while in a position known as a “wrestler&#39;s bridge.” The user first secures the device to his head, preferably by means of the chin strap  20 . Depending on the configuration of the device and his intended movements, the user may then attach the stability straps  26  or  30  to his limbs by means of attachment mechanisms  28  and  32 , respectively. As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2C , the user may assume a supine position, and then raise his body off the ground, entering the bridge position by supporting his weight on his feet and head. Maintaining this bridge position requires resistance by the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, and platysma muscles in the neck. Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 2B and 2D , the user may assume a prone position before moving into the bridge position. This method also exercises the muscles of the neck. The longer the user is able to maintain the bridge position, the more effective and demanding the exercise becomes. The lining of the headgear is compressible, so that muscle fatigue rather that surface discomfort is the limiting factor, and therefore the user is able to maintain the bridge longer. 
   From either position, the user may adjust his body arc to vary the amount or direction of resistance required from the neck muscles. The stability straps can be used to increase or reduce the force applied through the headgear to the neck muscles. 
   The low-friction material of the shell allows the user to add a dynamic component to the exercise. Through the increased ability to slide and pivot on the mat, the user can incorporate footwork and rapid changes of body angle into the bridge exercise. This dynamic element is more realistic of wrestling moves, and provides an increased range of motion, thus increasing the effectiveness of the exercise over the isometric resistance produced in maintaining a stationary bridge. The dynamic nature of the exercise also introduces an aerobic element to the exercise, allowing an athlete to improve his aerobic conditioning while performing the exercise.