Patent Publication Number: US-2009222994-A1

Title: Therapeutic bolster and method of making the same

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to bolsters, and more particularly, relating to a therapeutic bolster of a construction that simulates the touch of a human palm or thumb to provide therapeutic massage or pressure to areas of the human body. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many people suffer from various injuries or ailments, such as soft tissue injuries, deep tissue injuries and joint injuries, among others, which can result in mild discomfort to deliberating pain. Recovery from these injuries or ailments or relief from pain from these injuries or ailments may be had through proper pressure point and massage technique. Due to the busy life of most people and the high cost receiving professional treatment these injuries or ailments are left untreated and the person goes through life coping with the pain. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an alternative means for treating and relieving the pain and discomfort associated with many types of injuries and ailments. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The preferred embodiments of the present invention addresses this need by providing an inexpensive, portable and easy to use therapeutic bolster of an improved construction and method of making the same, which simulates the touch of a human thumb or palm. 
     To achieve these and other advantages, in general, in one aspect, therapeutic bolster is provided. The bolster includes a rigid, non-flexible core having a curved outer surface, and a covering of a resilient material substantially surrounding the core such that the covering remains in a continuous contact with the outer surface of the core when non-axially compressive pressure is applied to the bolster. 
     In general, in another aspect, a therapeutic bolster is provided. The bolster includes a rigid non-flexible core having a curved outer surface; a covering of a resilient material substantially surrounding the core such that the covering remains in a continuous contact with the outer surface of the core when a non-axially compressive pressure is applied to the bolster. The covering forming a curved exterior contact surface, and the resilient material is of a material having hardness of about 15 A to about 35 A Durometer. 
     In general, in another aspect, the covering is of a sheet material having an inward surface opposite of the exterior contact surface of a length substantially equal to the circumference of said outer surface. 
     In general, in another aspect, the sheet material has a pair of opposed edges normal to the length thereof that are joined together in a mitered lap-joint forming said covering. 
     In general, in another aspect, each of the pair of opposed edges are at opposing 45 degree angles. 
     In general, in another aspect, covering has continuous thickness from about 5.0 millimeters to about 8.0 millimeters. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
     Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the therapeutic bolster constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the therapeutic bolster; 
         FIG. 3  is an end elevation view of the therapeutic bolster; and 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the assembly of the therapeutic bolster. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4  of the drawings, reference numeral  10  generally designates the therapeutic bolster of the present invention. The bolster  10 , in accordance with the present invention, is designed and constructed to closely simulate the touch of a human thumb or palm of a human hand to provide therapeutic pressure to a user. The unique structure of the bolster and the method of making the bolster provides the simulated touch. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , the bolster  10  is cylindrically shaped including a substantially hard, rigid, non-flexible core  12  having a curved outer surface  14  covered by a single layer cushion cover  16  that provides a curved exterior contact surface  18 . The core  12  may be a hollow pipe core (as shown) or may be a solid core. The core  12  may be made of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or the like. I discovered a core  12  having a diameter between about 9.0 centimeters (3.5 inches) to about 14 centimeters (5.5 inches) fits the proportions of most users and provides the best therapeutic properties to the user. 
     The cover  16  is of foam material, such as closed cell foam materials, foamed plastic materials, foamed rubber materials, or combinations thereof. I discovered, to provide the simulated touch, the cover is preferably of a foam material having a shore hardness of about 15 A to about 35 A Durometer. Most preferably, the cover  16  is of a closed cell foamed thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or partially closed cell foamed polyvinyl chloride (PVC) having a shore hardness of about 15 A to about 35 A Durometer. I discovered, the closest simulated touch is found when the cover  16  has a thickness from about 5.0 millimeters (0.20 inches) to about 8.0 millimeters (0.31 inches) and is of a closed cell foamed TPE or a partially closed cell foamed PVC with a shore hardness of about 15 A to about 35 A Durometer. 
     The cover  16  comprises a single sheet  20  that is tightly wrapped around the core  12  with the entire inward facing surface  22  in continuous contact with the outer surface  14  of the core. The cover  16  is adhesively bonded to the core  12  such that the entire inward facing surface  22  remains in continuous contact with the outer surface  14  of the core, such as for example, during non-axially compressive loading to the bolster. Ends  24  and  26  of the cover  12  are joined together in a mitered lap-joint. Preferably, each end  24  and  26  are cut or otherwise formed to have opposing 45 degree angles ensuring a tight and continuous seam. Ends  24  and  26  are adhesively bonded together. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , the bolster is constructed by cutting the sheet  20  of the cover  16  to have a width about equal to the length of the core  12 , and a length L such that surface  22  is of a length equal to the circumference of the outer surface  14  of the core. Ends  24  and  26  are parallel to each other and normal to the length L of the sheet  20 . Ends  24  and  26  are cut or otherwise formed to have opposing 45 degree angles. A first adhesive, such as a non-toxic contact cement, is lightly coated on both ends  24  and  26  and allowed to dry to tact. The first adhesive is an adhesive that remains flexible once cured. A light coating of a second adhesive is applied to the entire surface  22  of the sheet  20 . The second adhesive may be a non-toxic metal adhesive. The second adhesive may be a low viscosity pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive such as the adhesive sold under the product name GIA1045 by Glue Machine Corporation of Baltimore Md. The second adhesive may be applied to the surface  22  using a nip roller application machine. The core  12  is placed lengthwise across the width of the sheet  20  with the ends  28  and  30  registered with the side edges  32  and  34  of the sheet. The sheet  20  is then tightly wrapped around the core  12  compressing the sheet inwardly against the core to securely bond the surface  22  with the outer surface  14 . Ends  24  and  26  are overlapped and pressure is applied along the seam to join them together by the first adhesive. 
     In use or application, a user may position the therapeutic bolster  10  on a ground surface or other supporting surface, and either lay across or otherwise press a body portion against the curved exterior contact surface  18  to apply a constant pressure or a rolling massage to the body portion simulating contact with a person&#39;s hand or thumb. 
     A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.