Abstract:
A mat section can be connected to one or more additional mat sections to provide a desired size combination of the mat sections. One mat section can be interconnected with an adjacent mat section by use of a flexible hinge member such that the adjacent mat sections can be folded together and stacked into engagement by folding the hinge. Each mat section includes an array of pressure point fingers.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Pressure point devices have been used to apply pressure to targeted areas of human tissue to relieve pain and provide therapeutic treatment by applying multiple pressure points to a given area of a body, such as a human body, without penetrating or harming the tissue. As a result, blood flow is increased to the pressure area thus stimulating a natural healing effect. The multiple pressure points can be provided as protrusions on a supporting mat. The protrusions can be in the form of a selected array of fingers formed of a suitable material. Such devices could also be used to provide therapeutic treatment to animals. 
         [0002]    The mat can be of a size suitable to contact an area or a portion of the treated body, and several such mats can be used to provide an enlarged area. If the mat is of a relatively large size for contacting a large area of the body, that size may be inconvenient for carrying. If the mat is of a relatively small size, additional mats may be required to engage a targeted treatment area. 
         [0003]    Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a mat which is of a size suitable to be expanded by joining with additional mats, and to be able to join multiple mats by means of a flexible connector which permits one of the mats to be folded into a stacked engagement with an adjacent one of the mats. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    One embodiment accordingly, provides a mat section which can be connected to one or more additional mat sections to provide a desired size combination of the mat sections. One mat section can be interconnected with an adjacent mat section by use of a flexible hinge member such that the adjacent mat sections can be folded together and stacked into engagement by folding the hinge. Each mat section includes an array of pressure point fingers. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of one side of a pressure point mat. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of another side of the mat of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 2A  is an enlarged view of a portion of the mat of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0008]      FIGS. 3-5  are end views illustrating embodiments of side-by-side pairs of mats. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are planar and end views, respectively illustrating an embodiment of a flexible hinge. 
           [0010]      FIG. 8  is an end view illustrating an embodiment of the mats of  FIGS. 3-5  in a stacked position. 
           [0011]      FIG. 8A  is an enlarged view of a portion of the stacked mats of  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    A therapeutic device includes a mat  10  having a first planar surface  12 ,  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and a second surface  14  opposite the first surface  12 . A plurality of pressure point fingers  16  extend from the second surface  14  in a substantially dense array. The mat  10  and the pressure point fingers  16  are formed of a suitable synthetic material. The mat  10  and the fingers  16  are flexible and there is sufficient spacing between the fingers to allow the fingers to flex when a force is applied to a terminal or free end  16   a  of the fingers  16 . 
         [0013]    The mat  10  is substantially rectangular but can be of any suitable size or shape. One or more peripheral edges  10   a  of the mat  10  can include a first connector such as a strip  18  extending along and connected to the first planar surface  12  such as by an adhesive  20 , see also  FIG. 2A . A hook and loop connector system may be used and include a commercially available Velcro® hook and loop fastening device. As such, a connector surface  18   a  of the strip  18  can be of either a hook or loop connector. 
         [0014]    A single mat  10  can be used to treat a specific area of a user&#39;s body, such as a back and shoulder region of an upper torso. If one mat  10  is insufficient to treat the desired area, a plurality of identical mats  10 ,  FIGS. 3-5 , can be combined and positioned, side-by-side, and in addition, the side-by-side mats  10  can be adjustably positioned. In this manner, a larger portion of a user&#39;s body can be treated by the expanded mat combination. When positioned side-by-side, the mats  10  will have their respective first connector strips  18  also positioned side-by-side. 
         [0015]    In order to stabilize the side-by-side mats  10  from inadvertent movement, a second flexible connector  22  can be used, see also  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The second connector  22  can include a smooth surface  22   a  and the other of a hook or loop connector surface  22   b  to permit mating connection with the side-by-side first connector strips  18 . The strips  18  or first connectors, described above are each of a first width W 1 ,  FIG. 1 . The second connector  22  is a strip of a second width W 2 ,  FIGS. 6 ,  7 , wider than the sum of the first widths W 1 , and in fact is preferably three to four times the width of the sum of the widths of the side-by-side strips  18 . The first smooth surface  22   a  is opposite the second connector surface  22   b.    
         [0016]    Referring again to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5 , a pair of side-by-side mats  10  are illustrated. In  FIG. 3 , the mats  10  are positioned in abutment at the peripheral edges  10   a  along which the first connector strips  18  extend. Such positioning avoids a gap between the fingers  16  of the adjacent mats. In  FIG. 4 , there is a gap having a width G 1  and in  FIG. 5 , there is a gap having a width G 2 , greater than the width G 1 . The adjacent mats  10  in  FIGS. 3-5  are maintained in their respective positions due to the second connector strip  22  being matingly engaged with the first connector strips  18 . Because of the difference in width between the first and second connector strips  18 ,  22 , respectively, the adjacent mats  10  can be adjustably positioned between an abutment position  FIG. 3 , a first gap G 1  position  FIG. 4 , and a second gap G 2  position  FIG. 5 . 
         [0017]      FIG. 8  illustrates that with the adjacent mats  10  being positioned with a gap, for example, a gap having the width G 2 , the flexible connector  22  can be folded in such a manner that the adjacent mats  10 , can be stacked. In  FIG. 8  one of the mats  10  is rotated about 180° as indicated by a directional arrow designated D. When stacked, the pressure point fingers  16  of one of the mats  10  can become intermeshed with the pressure point fingers  16  of the other of the mats  10 . As a result, the overall thickness of the stacked mats,  FIG. 8A , is reduced for convenience in transporting and storing the mats. 
         [0018]    The foregoing has described a pressure point mat which may be used in a single mat configuration or in an expanded dual mat configuration. Additionally, the mats can be connected in adjustable side-by-side configurations and can be folded into a stack by means of a flexible hinge. 
         [0019]    Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the embodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.