US2690173A - Eye exerciser - Google Patents

Description

p 23, 1954 R. w. SEEGER ET AL EYE EXERCISER Filed Feb. 25, 1952 mmvrons:

97" (52 BJOT6YO7ZE "eZiJ Patented Sept. 28, 1954 EYE EXERCISER Robert W. Seeger, Pasadena, and Gordon P. Felts, Sierra Madre, Calif., assignors of one-third to Maxwell H. Lewis, South Pasadena, Calif.

Application February 25, 1952, Serial No. 273,186

3 Claims. 1

One invention relates to an eye exerciser and more particularly to apparatus for exercising muscles which control the movement of the eye balls. This invention employes a flexible mask, which is shaped to fit closely under pressure over an extensive area of the face which is defined by the middle forehead, nose bridge and the outer extremities of the eye sockets. It also employs a thin elastic diaphragm on its inner face which is applied by the mask under regulated air pressure over and in contact with the closed eye lids, whereby the eyes of the user may be exercised under regulated pressure to strength and adjust eye sight.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, Figure l is a perspective view when looking at the upper edge of our improved eye exercising apparatus, and Fig. 2 is a. plan of our improved exerciser when looking at the inner face thereof.

In the drawing, A represents a mask, the body of which is composed of soft but firm rubber or plastic material, which corresponds and conforms with an extensive area of the face which is defined by the middle portion of the forehead, nose bridge and the outer extremities of the eye sockets. It also has an elastic inner thin diaphragm B, which is composed of rubber or other suitable elastic material which is sealed to the inner surfaces of the mask. This diaphragm cooperates with the mask and forms an inner air chamber C, which is inflated and maintained under air pressure at suitable pressure when in use. The diaphragm B is preferably composed of thin material. and forms an air chamber C over both eyes of the user. The air chamber is inflated by the hand operable bulb F, the air being maintained at suitable pressure under the control of the user, when the mask is applied in use.

The marginal portion of the inner surface of the mask conforms substantially with the contour of the face of the user and in use the diaphragm B is inflated at regulated pressure by the hand operable bulb F. The bulb: F is connected by the flexible tubing D with the nipple l3 and the air pressure which is injected into the chamber below the diaphragm is controlled by the check valve [2 in said tubing D. The shape and resilient consistency of the mask conforms with the surface of the face and the diaphragm when inflated by the hand operable pneumatic bulb F conforms and is pressed tightly against the eye lids while the eyes are exercised.

When used the mask body is fastened tightly in place over the face of the user by the elastic strap E (Fig. 1). The ends of this strap are adjustably fastened by the catches IIll, which latter are attached to and sealed in the body of the mask. When the mask is used it is applied over the face with the diaphragm covering the eyes of the user in which position it is securely held on the head by the elastic strap E. The ad- 2 justable strap permits the mask to be used on heads of different size and shape.

Our improved eye exerciser provides a device which enables the user to easily apply the same in use and to adjust the pressure which is applied through the eye lids against the eye balls while the eyes are being exercised without obstructing breathing. Our improved device is thoroughly sanitary in use without objectionable contamination by contact with the inner workings. It is contemplated that the inflating medium which is injected into the air chamber may be charged with various forms of reticulated material, liquid or gas to produce an effect through the eye lids upon the eyes which are exercised by our improvement within the spirit of the invention.

Modifications are contemplated within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

I. Apparatus for exercising muscles controlling movement of the eye balls, comprising a mask shaped for placing over a, portion of the face and eye lids of a user and having an elastic diaphragm sealed to the inner face of and forming in cooperation with the mask an inner air chamber over the eye lids, means connected to opposite ends of the mask for securing the mask tightly over the face and eyes of the user, and means for inflating said diaphragm with air at controlled pressure.

2. Apparatus for exercising the muscles which control the movement of the eyeballs, comprising a mask shaped for placing over a portion of the face and eyelids of the user and forming an inner air chamber, means for holding the mask tightly over the face and eyelids of the user and air inflating means adapted to produce variable pressure connected with said mask for influencing the muscles below the eyelids which control the movement of the eyeballs.

3. Apparatus for exercising the muscles which control the movement of the eye balls, comprising a mask shaped for placing over a portion of the face and eyelids of the user and having an elastic diaphragm sealed to the inner face of and forming in cooperation with the mask an inner air chamber surrounding the eye lids of the user, means connected with the opposite ends of the mask for securing the diaphragm tightly over the face and eye lids of the user, and means for inflating said diaphragm with air at controlled pressure exerted against said eye lids.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number N ame Date 1,917,117 Hines July 4, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 4,383 Great Britain Oct. 27, 1880 469,234 Great Britain July 21, 1937

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