Head-neck posture device

Abstract

A head-neck posture restoration/correction, strengthening device formed from a portable pad having a shape retaining inner core including highly compressed rubber spheres. The inner core top surface has multiple protrusions and is covered by a thin outer shell coating. The shape of the top surface provides a designated neck and head placement area, allowing the user's neck to curve around the designated neck area while translating the weight of the user's head to compress into the semi-resistant designated head area.

Claims

1. A device to restore and/or correct a natural forward posture and/or curve of a neck and/or cervical spine and to strengthen head and/or neck extension muscles, the device comprising: an upper core defined by an upper surface having a plurality of protrusions, a lower surface, first and second ends with a transition portion therebetween, and opposing side walls; said upper surface forming a head portion having a first height formed from a first contour beginning with said first end to said transition portion and a neck portion having a second height formed from a second contour beginning with said second end to said transition portion, wherein said first height is greater than said second height; a plurality of rubber spheres positioned along said lower surface of said upper core; a lower core secured to said upper core securing said plurality of rubber spheres therebetween, said lower core further defined by a top surface secured to the lower surface of said upper core, a substantially flat bottom surface, first and second edges, and opposing side panels; wherein said upper core includes pockets to receive a portion of said spheres and said lower core includes reciprocal pockets to receive a remaining portion of said spheres; and an outer sheath comprising a slip-resistant material encapsulating said upper and lower core; wherein said head portion is configured to restore and/or correct the natural curve of an individual's neck and cervical spine, with said protrusions constructed and arranged to relieve pressure points and stimulate areas of contact when a user engages the head portion, and said spheres generate a resistance to compression from the user's head and neck to strengthen the extension muscles of the neck.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said inner core comprises a cellular material.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said cellular material is a type of polyester resin.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said upper core is secured to said lower core with adhesive.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said spheres are made of a vulcanized synthetic polymer polybutadiene compound.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said outer sheath material is composed of a spray-on liquid polyurethane paint.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the head-neck posture device;

(2) FIG. 2 is a top view of the head-neck posture device;

(3) FIG. 3 is an end view of the head portion of the head-neck posture device;

(4) FIG. 4 is an exploded side view;

(5) FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view; and

(6) FIG. 6 is a bottom view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) A detailed embodiment of the instant invention is disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional and structural details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representation basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

(8) Referring to the figures, the head-neck posture restoration/correction, strengthening device 10 is defined by an upper core 11 having first end wall 12, a second end wall 14 with an upper surface 16 formed therebetween; the upper surface 16 having a plurality of protrusions 22 that are equally spaced between a left side wall 18 and a right side wall 20. In the preferred embodiment, there is about seven protrusions equally spaced between the side wall 18, 20 and about 14 rows of protrusions 22 equally spaced from the first end wall 12 to the second end wall 14 along the upper surface 16. The upper core 23 is secured to a lower core 25.

(9) The device is further defined by a head portion 1-A, and a neck portion 1-B. The upper surface 16 of the head portion 1-A is formed from the first end wall 12, having a 90 degree bend portion 26 leading to a gradual curve portion 28. A transition portion 30 provides an upward coupling to an inverted U-shaped section 32 that extends from the transition portion 30 to the second end wall 14. The upper surface texture is smooth with multiple protrusions 22 formed from an inner core 23 of foam rubber and covered with a soft thin outer shell coating 27. The length of the device 10, in the preferred embodiment, is about 11 inches from the first end wall 12 to the second end wall 14. The width of the device is about 8.8 inches extending from the left side wall 18 to the right side wall 20.

(10) The height of the head portion 1-A, measured from the lower surface 40 of bottom portion 25 to the upper surface 16 of the head portion 1-A is about 4.6 inches, and the height of the neck portion, measured from the lower surface 40 of bottom portion 25 to the upper surface 16 of neck portion 1-B is about 4.0 inches.

(11) The lower section 25 has a substantially flat bottom 44 with an outer surface 29, preferably of a non-marring material that is slip resistant. The thickness of the lower section 25, measured from the bottom 44 to a top surface 46, is about 1.4 inches. The top surface 46 includes a plurality of pockets 50 that are constructed and arranged to receive ½ of a spherical ball 52, the top surface 46 forming an egg crate type receptacle to preferably position seventy (70) spheres 52 in equally spaced apart positions; illustrated are ten rows with seven spheres per row. The lower surface 24 includes reciprocal pockets 54 for receipt of ½ of the spherical ball 52. The spheres 52 are spheres made from solid, highly compressed rubber material, such as, for example, a synthetic polymer polybutadiene, as well as hydrated silica, zinc oxide, stearic acid and other ingredients. This compound is vulcanized with sulfur at a temperature of 165 degrees Celsius and formed at a pressure of 3,500 psi. The resulting ball has a very high coefficient of restitution that stores energy when compressed and returns the energy when released from any compression. The spheres are captured within the pockets, and the top surface 46 permanently attached to the lower surface 24 using a spray adhesive.

(12) The foam rubber that forms the inner core 23 consists of a soft, lightweight, shape retaining, solid foam, spongy cellular material, such as, for example, a polyester or polyurethane resin. After assembly, the upper core 18 and the lower core 25 are spray painted such as, for example, with colored liquid polyurethane.

(13) The head-neck posture restoration/correction, strengthening device 10 provides a designated head portion 1-A and neck portion 1-B placement area, allowing the user's neck to curve around the designated neck portion 1-B while translating the weight of the user's head to compress into the semi-resistant designated head portion 1-A. The long-term repetitive motion of the user extending/retracting their head-neck against the resistance of the device provides strengthening of the neck extension muscles and restoration/correction of the normal forward neck-spinal cervical curve. The soft semi-resistant, shape retaining, top surface protrusions provide acupressure point relief and stimulation to the areas of the head and neck they make contact with.

(14) This head-neck posture restoration/correction, strengthening device 10 comprises an outer coating sheath 27 covering the flexible and compressible, semi resistant, shape retaining inner core with an interior layer of highly compressed, resistant, rubber spheres 52. The head portion 1-A of the device can be compressed by backward (extended/retraction) movement of the user's head against the resistance of inner core material the inner layer of rubber spheres and against the resistance of the wall/floor, in order to generate resistances to strengthen the extension and support muscles of the neck. The neck portion 1-B of the device pushes outward with semi resistance against the back of the neck as the back of the head moves backward (extending/retracting), resulting in the restoring/correcting of the natural forward curve of the neck (cervical spine). The multiple top surface protrusions 22 (finger-like) are composed of the same inner core, compressible, semi resistant, shape retaining material, and provide acupressure point relief and stimulation to the contacted areas of the head/neck. The device's flat base 44 with slip resistant coating 29 provides stability to the device when up against the wall (sitting or standing) or on a floor surface. The weight of the user's head translates pressure through the device to the bottom base, stabilizing the device against the contact surface during use. It is preferable for maximum desired results, that the device is used up against a wall when the user is standing or in a seated posture position. The device can be used with the user lying down on their back.

(15) The device comprises two distinct areas: a back of head portion and aback of neck portion. The head portion 1-A of the device can be compressed against its semi resistance by numerous exercises/movements including the following two specific movements/exercises. The first movement/exercise is a repetitive backward (extended) movement of the back of user's head against the semi resistance of the inner core material of the device that includes an inner layer of highly compressed rubber spheres 52, in order to generate resistance to strengthen the extension muscles of the neck. The second movement/exercise is a repetitive chin arc (retraction) movement of nodding the head slowly forward without moving the neck and the resulting simultaneous movement of the back of user's head against the semi resistance of the inner core material of the device that includes an inner layer of highly compressed rubber spheres, in order to generate resistance to strengthen the extension muscles of the neck. In both the first and second movements/exercises, the neck portion 1-B of the device pushes outward with semi resistance against the back of the user's neck as the head moves backward (extending/retracting), resulting in the restoring/correction of the natural forward curve of the neck (cervical spine). The multiple top surface protrusions 22 provide pressure point relief and stimulation to the contacted areas of the head and neck. The device's flat base 44 with slip resistant coating 29 provides device stability when used? up against the wall (sitting or standing) or on a floor surface. The weight of the user's head translates pressure through the device to the bottom base, stabilizing the device during use.

(16) It is preferable, for maximum desired results, that the device is used up against a wall when the user is standing or in a seated position. The device can be used, with less desired results, with the user lying down on their back.

(17) Three phases of penetration resistance of the users head into the device are as follows: first level of resistance against the semi-resistant inner core material; second level of resistance is the continuing movement of the users head into the single layer of seventy highly resistant rubber spheres; third level of resistance is the continuing movement of the users head against the resistance of the supporting wall or floor.

(18) It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.

(19) One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.