U.S. patent application number 11/743610 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-06 for neck trainer and method of use.
This patent application is currently assigned to WHITE SKY LLC. Invention is credited to Thomas Carpentier, Scott Flavell.
Application Number | 20080274858 11/743610 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39939940 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080274858 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Flavell; Scott ; et
al. |
November 6, 2008 |
Neck Trainer and Method of Use
Abstract
A neck trainer for alleviating head, neck, and shoulder pain,
and stretching, strengthening, and developing the core muscles of
the neck includes an annular headband section configured to fit
snugly on a forehead of the user, around a head of the user and
above ears of the user; and an annular weight section delineated
from and connected to the annular headband section, above the
annular headband section. The annular weight section with the
headband section is vertically spaced upwardly so that the annular
weight section is disposed substantially at a top of or above the
forehead of the user, increasing the moment of force provided by
the annular weight section when the user moves the user's head,
alleviating head, neck, and shoulder pain, and stretching,
strengthening, and developing the core muscles of the neck.
Inventors: |
Flavell; Scott; (La Jolla,
CA) ; Carpentier; Thomas; (La Jolla, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PROCOPIO, CORY, HARGREAVES & SAVITCH LLP
530 B STREET, SUITE 2100
SAN DIEGO
CA
92101
US
|
Assignee: |
WHITE SKY LLC
La Jolla
CA
|
Family ID: |
39939940 |
Appl. No.: |
11/743610 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/10 ;
482/124 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 23/025 20130101;
A63B 21/4003 20151001; A63B 21/065 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/10 ;
482/124 |
International
Class: |
A63B 23/025 20060101
A63B023/025; A63B 21/02 20060101 A63B021/02 |
Claims
1. A method of using a neck trainer for alleviating head, neck, and
shoulder pain, and stretching, strengthening, and developing the
core muscles of the neck, comprising: providing a neck trainer
including an annular headband section separated from and below an
annular weight section; donning the neck trainer on the user's head
so that the headband section fits snugly on the user's forehead and
around the user's head, above ears of the user, wherein the
headband fits annularly around the user's head without covering a
crown of the user's head and without covering the user's head below
the user's ears; spacing the annular weight section with the
headband section upwards towards the crown of the user's head so
that the annular weight section is disposed substantially at a top
of or above the forehead of the user without covering a crown of
the user's head and without covering the user's head below the
user's ears; using the neck trainer to alleviate head, neck, and
shoulder pain, and strengthen and develop the core muscles of the
neck.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the neck trainer is made of a
neoprene and nylon material.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the neck trainer is stitched
together to separate the annular headband section from the annular
weight section.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the annular weight section
includes carbon steel grit as a weight material.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein using the neck trainer includes
performing exercises including at least one of pivoting the user's
head from side to side, pivoting the user's head forward and
rearward, and pivoting and rotating the user's head a circular
motion.
6. A neck trainer for alleviating head, neck, and shoulder pain,
and stretching, strengthening, and developing the core muscles of
the neck, comprising: an annular headband section configured to fit
snugly on a forehead of the user, annularly around a head of the
user and above ears of the user without covering a crown of the
user's head and without covering the user's head below the user's
ears; an annular weight section delineated from and connected to
the annular headband section, above the annular headband section,
wherein the annular weight section with the headband section is
vertically spaced upwardly towards the crown of the user's head so
that the annular weight section is disposed substantially at a top
of or above the forehead of the user without covering the crown of
the user's head and without covering any of the user's head below
the user's ears, increasing the moment of force provided by the
annular weight section when the user moves the user's head,
alleviating head, neck, and shoulder pain, and stretching,
strengthening, and developing the core muscles of the neck
7. The neck trainer of claim 6, wherein the neck trainer is made of
a neoprene and nylon material.
8. The neck trainer of claim 6, wherein the neck trainer is
stitched together to separate the annular headband section from the
annular weight section.
9. The neck trainer of claim 6, wherein the annular weight section
includes carbon steel grit as a weight material.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein annular weight section includes
a continuous evenly distributed weighted material throughout the
annular weight section.
11. The neck trainer of claim 6, wherein annular weight section
includes a continuous evenly distributed weighted material
throughout the annular weight section.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the annular weight section is
narrower than the annular headband section.
13. The neck trainer of claim 6, wherein the annular weight section
is narrower than the annular headband section.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to core neck muscle
development and training devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 90% of all neck and shoulder pain is temporary and not
chronic. The most common cause of this pain is related to everyday
stress, poor posture, or a combination of both. The most common way
to attempt to alleviate this pain is with medication. Another way
to alleviate pain in this area is by strengthening and stretching
the muscles in or around the head, neck, and shoulders. More
specifically, the group of muscles targeted are Longissimus
Capitis, Suboccipital, Emispmalis Capitis, Longissimus Cervicis and
Levator Scapula. Free weights, dumbbells, and exercise/weight
machines are known for building and training various muscles in the
body. Despite the wide variety of exercise strengthening devices,
neck muscle strengthening devices for strengthening the core
muscles of the neck are not well known or widely used. The
inventors have determined that a need exists for a simple neck
trainer and easy to use method that alleviates head, neck, and
shoulder pain, and strengthens and develops the core muscles of the
neck.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Accordingly, an aspect of the invention involves a neck
trainer for alleviating head, neck, and shoulder pain, and
strengthening and developing the core muscles of the neck. The neck
trainer includes an annular headband section configured to fit
snugly on a forehead of the user, around a head of the user and
above ears of the user; and an annular weight section delineated
from and connected to the annular headband section, above the
annular headband section. The annular weight section with the
headband section is vertically spaced upwardly so that the annular
weight section is disposed substantially at a top of or above the
forehead of the user, increasing the moment of force provided by
the annular weight section when the user moves the user's head,
strengthening and developing the core neck muscles of the user.
[0004] When the neck trainer is worn by the user, the neck trainer
provides a slight amount of weight that is equally distributed on
top of the head, creating gravitational down-force. This down-force
releases the connective tissues and muscles in the back of the
head, neck, shoulders and upper ribs (which swell due to everyday
stress and poor posture). This release allows blood to flow more
freely and unrestricted through the major arteries from the head
down the spinal column to the arms. Thus, pain in those areas is
reduced or eliminated. Most headaches that develop as a result of
restricted blood flow to the brain due to aggravated or swollen
muscles will also be alleviated.
[0005] Another aspect of the invention involves a method of using a
neck trainer for stretching, strengthening, and developing the core
neck muscles of a user. The method includes providing a neck
trainer including an annular headband section separated from and
below an annular weight section; donning the neck trainer on the
user's head so that the headband section fits snugly on the user's
forehead and around the user's head, above ears of the user;
spacing the annular weight section with the headband section so
that the annular weight section is disposed substantially at a top
of or above the forehead of the user; and using the neck trainer to
strengthen and develop the core neck muscles of the user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of the
neck trainer and illustrates the neck trainer on the head of a
user.
[0007] FIG. 2 is another front elevational view of the neck trainer
of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the neck trainer of
FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the neck trainer of
FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view of the neck trainer
of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the neck trainer of FIG.
1.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the neck trainer of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a left side elevational view of the neck trainer
of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] With reference to FIGS. 1-8, an embodiment of a neck trainer
100 will be described. The neck trainer 100 is made of a
combination nylon and neoprene flexible material that is stitched
together to form upper annular weight section 110 and lower annular
headband section 120. The combination nylon and neoprene flexible
material includes an inner layer of nylon material, an outer layer
of nylon material, and an intermediate neoprene layer of material
between the inner and outer nylon layers of material.
[0015] The upper annular weight section 110 carries a fine carbon
steel grit. Carbon steel grit is desirable because of its
similarity in density to lead, but is much safer than lead. The
granular size of carbon steel grit is well suited in the tubular
portion of the upper annular weight section 110, creating greater
comfort for the user. A high concentration or density of grit
particles are carried in the upper annular weight section 110. The
upper annual weight section 110 forms an uninterrupted annular
weight with a substantially uniform cross section. In the
embodiment shown, the neck trainer 100 includes a width W of about
3 in. (width of upper annual weight section 110 is about 1.0 in.
and width of the lower annular headband section 120 is about 2.0
in.). In alternative embodiments, the width of the upper annual
weight section 110 ranges from 0.75 in. to 1.5 in. and the width of
the lower annular headband section 120 ranges from 1.5 in. to 2.5
in. Thus, in such alternative embodiments, the width W of the neck
trainer 100 ranges from 2.25 in. to 4.0 in. The combination of
elastic material and the sleeve-like design allow users of every
head size to utilize one size neck trainer 100 (i.e., one size fits
all).
[0016] In the embodiment of the neck trainer 100 shown, the upper
annular weight section 110 includes 1 lb. of carbon steel grit. In
alternative embodiments, neck trainer(s) comes in different weights
(e.g., 0.5 lb, 0.75 lb, 1.0 lb., 1.25 lb, 1.5 lb, 1.75 lb, 2.0 lb,
etc.).
[0017] The lower annular headband section 120 is connected to the
upper annular weight section 110 by the nylon/neoprene flexible
material and annular stitching 130. In the embodiment shown, the
annular stitching 130 delineates the lower annular headband section
120 from the upper annular weight section 110. On an outer surface
of the neck trainer 100, the neck trainer 100 includes an annular
indent in the area of the annular stitching 130. In alternative
embodiments, the lower annular headband section 120 is connected to
(and delineated from) the upper annular weight section 110 by other
connection means such as, but not by limitation, an adhesive.
Further, in another embodiment, the lower annular headband section
120 and the upper annular weight section 110 include completely
separate constructions/members, which are made of the same material
(e.g., neoprene/nylon) or different materials, and are joined
together by stitching, adhesive, or other connection means.
[0018] The headband section 120 is a continuous annular sleeve that
fits over forehead F and around head H, above ears E, of user U.
The neoprene material of the headband section 120 has a flexibility
and slight elasticity that enables the neck trainer 100 to be
secured to the patient's head H, while accommodating
different-sized heads. Not only does the headband section 120
secure the upper annular weight section 110 to the user's head H so
that the neck trainer 100 does not fall off the user's head H, the
headband section 120 also serves as a vertical spacer that spaces
the upper annular weight section 110 a distance D upwardly, higher
on the user's head H (compared to head weight devices in the past
that rested lower on the user's head H). The headband section 120
causes the upper annular weight section 110 to be located on/around
a user's head H, substantially at or above a top of a user's
forehead F. Spacing the upper annular weight section 110 higher on
the user's head H increases the moment of force (compared to other
head weight devices in the past) when the user U pivots one's head
H from side to side, pivots one's head H forward/rearward, and/or
pivots/rotates one's head H in a circular motion. This increases
the workout on the core muscles of the user's neck, alleviating
head, neck, and shoulder pain, and stretching, strengthening, and
developing the core muscles of the neck.
[0019] In alternative embodiments, the neck trainer 100 includes
alternative constructions. For example, in alternative embodiments,
the neck trainer includes a hat, baseball cap, and/or cap
configuration where a headband section keeps the neck trainer above
the user's ears E on the user's head H, and a cap or top section
covers a top T of the user's head H. In one or more implementations
of these alternative embodiments, the cap or top section, which
resides substantially at the top of or above the forehead F,
includes the upper annular weight section 110.
[0020] The neck trainer 100 will now be described in use. The neck
trainer 100 is placed on a user's head H. Then, the annular
headband section 120 is pulled downwardly around the user's head H
so that the elasticity in the annular headband section snugly fits
onto the user's head H, over the forehead F and around the user's
head, above the user's ears E. The headband section 120 vertically
spaces the upper annular weight section 110 a distance D upwardly,
higher on the user's head H (compared to other head weight devices
in the past that rested lower on the user's head H). In this
position, the upper annular weight section 110 is located on/around
a user's head H, substantially at or above a top of the user's
forehead F.
[0021] With the neck trainer 100 donned on the user's head H, with
the upper annular weight section 110 located substantially at or
above a top of the user's forehead F, the user U undergoes normal
everyday activity where some movement of the head H and neck
occurs. This normal everyday activity, the increased weight of the
neck trainer 100 and the increased moment of force of the upper
annular weight section 110, alleviates head, neck, and shoulder
pain, and strengthens and develops the core muscles of the neck. To
increase effectiveness of the neck trainer 100, a user rotates
one's head H with the neck trainer 100 thereon gently front to back
and side to side after wearing the neck trainer for at least 10
minutes.
[0022] When the neck trainer is worn by the user, the neck trainer
provides a slight amount of weight that is equally distributed on
top of the head, creating gravitational down-force. This down-force
releases the connective tissues and muscles in the back of the
head, neck, shoulders and upper ribs (which swell due to everyday
stress and poor posture). This release allows blood to flow more
freely and unrestricted through the major arteries from the head
down the spinal column to the arms. Thus, pain in those areas is
reduced or eliminated. Most headaches that stem from lack of blood
to the brain are also eliminated.
[0023] In another implementation of the above method, the user U
performs one or more exercises with the neck trainer 100 donned
where the user U pivots one's head H from side to side, pivots
one's head H forward/rearward, and/or pivots/rotates one's head H
in a circular motion.
[0024] Thus the neck trainer 100 is a convenient, easy, simple
device and method for alleviating head, neck, and shoulder pain,
and stretching, strengthening, and developing the core muscles of
the neck.
[0025] While the particular devices and methods herein shown and
described in detail are fully capable of attaining the above
described objects of this invention, it is to be understood that
the description and drawings presented herein represent presently
preferred embodiments of the invention and are therefore
representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated
by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope
of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that
may become obvious to those skilled in the art having the benefit
of this disclosure and that the scope of the present invention is
accordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claims.
* * * * *