US2164458A - Lip exerciser - Google Patents

Description

J y 1939- w. L. JACOBSON 2,164,453

LIP EXERC I SEE Filed Sept. '7, 1957 xymq/ol ATTORNEY.

Patented July 4, 1939 UNITED STATE-s eA'rEnT OF'FIQCE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to lip exercisers and more particularly to a lip exerciser adapted to make the lips stronger and more supple, and adaptable to the rapid changes of form required in playing wind-instruments.

In playing wind-instruments such as the cornet, saxophone, clarinet, oboe, etc., the tone produced depends almost entirely on the lips of the player. Long periods of practice are required to make and keep the lips in that strong yet supple condition which allows them to execute the intricate changes which enter into every musical composition.

One object of the present invention is to produce a lip exerciser which will, in a large measure, eliminate much of the actual practice on the instrument, and will develop the lips to that strong pliant condition required of wind-instrument players.

A second object of the invention is to produce a lip exerciser which will develop the mouth and facial muscles to improve the facial expression.

Another object is to produce a lip exerciser which will be simple to use and economical to manufacture.

A further object is to produce a lip exerciser which is easily kept in a sanitary condition.

A further object of the invention is to produce a lip exerciser in which the possibility of the device escaping from the lips and falling to the floor is minimized.

According to the present invention a light spring is bent in the form of a loop and provided with mouth pieces to retain the lips and constantly urge them apart.

More specifically, the invention is shown in detail in the accompanying drawing which is described in the specification as set forth below.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a lip exerciser in use, showing, in dotted lines, a crosssection of the lips and mouth of the same;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of a lip exerciser shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 shows a slightly modified form of exerciser and is a cross-section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section on the line 55 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is another modification of the lip exerciser shown in Figs. 1 and 2; and

a person using Fig. 7 is a cross-section on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows. Referring to the drawing and particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a section of a human head is shown, in dotted lines, disclosing a nose In, an 5 upper lip I I, a lower lip l2 and teeth [3 mounted in the gums Id. The lip exerciser is held between the lips H and I2 on mouthpieces l5|5, which are best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The mouthpieces are preferably made of metal for 10 sanitary purposes, and may be elliptical in plan, as shown in Fig. 3, the ellipse being concave toward the lips II and i2, as shown in Fig. 1, so that the lips will retain the mouthpieces in place.

The mouthpieces are constantly urged apart by a spring IE which is curved in a loop and fixed to the mouthpieces |5l5 at its opposite ends. The spring 16 must be relatively light and flexible in order that the lip muscles may 20 become strong and pliant to a degree necessary in playing wind-instruments.

A chain I7 is fixed between the ends of the spring IE to limit the spread of the mouthpieces. The spring H has an extension IS with a clasp l9 thereon adapted to attach to the shirt of the user so that if the exerciser should escape from his lips it would not fall to the floor.

A second type of exerciser is shown in Figs. 4 and 5. In this form parallel springs 20, 2| are given a similar looped curvature and are held in spaced parallel relationship by spacing bars 22 which are fixed at their opposite ends to the springs 28 and 21. A mouthpiece 23 is fixed to each end of each of the springs 20 and 2|. The mouthpieces 23 are formed of narrow loops of metal, having contours concave toward the lips which they engage, as best shown in Fig. 4.

This type of exerciser is particularly adapted for use by persons having one side of their mouths under-developed. For this purpose the spring 2! is made slightly stronger than the spring 20 so as to fully develop the weak side.

A third type of exerciser is shown in Figs. 6 and 7. This type of exerciser is intended for beginners or those with unusually weak lips.

In Figs. 6 and 7, the exerciser is shown as composed of a single spring 25 having mouthpieces 26 similar to the mouthpieces I5 of Figs.

1, 2 and 3.

A yoke 21 passes over one end of the spring 25, adjacent the mouthpiece 26, and the open end of the yoke is secured to the opposite end of the spring 25 adjacent the other mouthpiece 26 as shown at 28.

The yoke 2! guides the one mouthpiece 26 relative to the other, and prevents sideward Wabble of the mouthpieces relative to each other.

In practice, the exerciser is placed between the lips and the lips are worked in all directions. This exercise quickly strengthens the lips and gives them the suppleness required to play wind-instruments skillfully.

From the above description it is evident that the present invention provides a lip exerciser which will develop the lips and facial muscles, and that the device is subject to various changes and modifications which would not depart from the invention as defined by the claims hereinafter.

The invention set forth in the foregoing specification is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A lip exerciser of the character described,

comprising, a relatively light flat spring in the form of a loop, a, mouthpiece conforming to the cross-sectional shape of the lips attached to each end of said spring, and a non-extensible member joining the inner ends of said spring adjacent said mouthpieces to limit the opening of the loop.

2. A lip exerciser of the character described, comprising, a relatively light flat spring in the form of a loop, a mouthpiece conforming to the cross-sectional shape of the lips attached to each end of said spring, and a non-extensible yoke engageable over one end of said spring and having the open end thereof attached to the other end of said spring to limit the movement of said mouthpieces.

WILHELM LOWELL JACOBSON.

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