Head and neck exercise apparatuses

Abstract

A head and neck exercise apparatus may include a member operatively arranged with a valve mechanism with a threshold pressure. The apparatus may further include an acoustic apparatus, membrane, chromogenic material, or moveable element that may be configured to respond when the pressure within the member is greater in magnitude than the threshold pressure. The head and neck exercise apparatus may also include a member operatively arranged with an acoustic apparatus, membrane, chromogenic material, or moveable element that may be configured, without a valve mechanism, to respond when the absolute pressure within the member is greater in magnitude than a threshold absolute pressure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A head and neck exercise apparatus comprising:
 a member defining an open proximal portion configured to be disposed to a user's mouth;   a valve mechanism operatively arranged with the member and biased towards a closed position unless an absolute pressure in the proximal portion is greater in magnitude than a threshold absolute pressure; and   a distal portion including at least one of an acoustic apparatus, membrane, chromogenic material, or moveable element each configured to respond to an absolute pressure in the proximal portion being greater in magnitude than the threshold absolute pressure, wherein the proximal and distal portions are fluidly connected when the valve mechanism is not in the closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the threshold absolute pressure is based on at least one of a stiffness of the valve mechanism, a dimension of the valve mechanism, or a dimension of the member. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the valve mechanism is configured such that the threshold absolute pressure is not adjustable. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the valve mechanism is a deflection valve. 
     
     
         5 . A head and neck exercise apparatus comprising:
 a member defining an open proximal portion configured to be disposed to a user's mouth;   a valve mechanism operatively arranged with the member and biased towards a closed position unless a pressure in the proximal portion is less than a threshold negative pressure; and   a distal portion, wherein the proximal and distal portions are fluidly connected when the valve mechanism is not in the closed position.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the valve mechanism is configured such that the threshold negative pressure is not adjustable. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the valve mechanism is a deflection valve. 
     
     
         8 . A head and neck exercise apparatus comprising:
 a member defining an open proximal portion configured to be disposed to a user's mouth;   a valve mechanism operatively arranged with the member and biased towards a closed position unless a pressure in the proximal portion is greater than a threshold positive pressure that is not adjustable; and   a distal portion, wherein the proximal and distal portions are fluidly connected when the valve mechanism is not in the closed position.   
     
     
         9 . A head and neck exercise apparatus comprising:
 a member defining an open proximal portion configured to be disposed to a user's mouth;   a valve mechanism operatively arranged with the member and biased towards an open position unless an absolute pressure in the proximal portion is greater in magnitude than a threshold absolute pressure; and   a distal portion, wherein the proximal and distal portions are fluidly connected when the valve mechanism is in the open position.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the valve mechanism is configured such that the threshold absolute pressure is not adjustable. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the distal portion includes at least one of an acoustic apparatus, membrane, chromogenic material, or moveable element. 
     
     
         12 . A head and neck exercise apparatus comprising:
 a member defining an open proximal portion configured to be disposed to a user's mouth; and   at least one of an acoustic apparatus, membrane, chromogenic material, or moveable element operatively arranged with the member and configured to respond to an absolute pressure in the proximal portion being greater in magnitude than a threshold absolute pressure.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the member further defines at least one air passage opening. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising an adjustment mechanism configured to alter an air resistance associated with the at least one air passage opening or dimensions of the at least one air passage opening. 
     
     
         15 . A head and neck exercise system comprising:
 (i) at least one member defining an open proximal portion configured to be disposed to a user's mouth; and   (ii) any two or more components selected from the group consisting of
 a first component comprising
 a first valve mechanism operatively arranged with the member and biased towards a closed position unless an absolute pressure in the proximal portion is greater in magnitude than a threshold absolute pressure, and 
 a first distal portion, wherein the proximal and distal portions are fluidly connected when the valve mechanism is not in the closed position, 
 
 a second component comprising
 a second valve mechanism operatively arranged with the member and biased towards an open position unless an absolute pressure in the proximal portion is greater in magnitude than a threshold absolute pressure, and 
 a second distal portion, wherein the proximal and distal portions are fluidly connected when the valve mechanism is not in the closed position, and 
 
 a third component comprising
 at least one of an acoustic apparatus, membrane, chromogenic material, or moveable element operatively arranged with the member and configured to respond to an absolute pressure in the proximal portion of the member being greater in magnitude than a threshold absolute pressure. 
 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the at least two components are characterized by different threshold absolute pressures. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the two or more components are the same.