Patent Publication Number: US-2004044362-A1

Title: Acupressure device for relieving motion sickness and method therefor

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] This invention relates generally to jewelry and, more specifically, to a clasp for securing a piece of jewelry to a user&#39;s wrist wherein the clasp has a protrusion for applying pressure to the wrist of the wearer in order to relieve the wearer from the symptoms of motion sickness.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art  
       [0004] When traveling in an automobile, train, airplane, ship, or the like, many people tend to suffer from motion sickness. Sometimes the motion sickness is so severe that the person traveling must stop the trip. This is extremely difficult if a person is flying or aboard a ship which is not scheduled to stop for some time.  
       [0005] Many people take anti-nausea medication when feeling the effects of motion sickness. Although there are many effective anti-nausea medications available today, there are also drawbacks associated with the use of chemical compositions. For example, many people are allergic to some chemical medications and therefore cannot use this form of treatment to alleviate nausea. Furthermore, many people would prefer not to use medication as a means to alleviate motion sickness. Consequently, the need to relieve nausea by means other than chemical medications has developed.  
       [0006] The use of acupuncture and acupressure has effectively been in use for many centuries in other countries. Acupuncture and acupressure are traditional Chinese therapeutic techniques involving the stimulation of certain nerves and nerve junctions by puncturing the skin with fine needles or manual massage and pressure of those same nerve junctions to produce a certain physiological effect. The exact means by which this is accomplished is unclear, but the results are conclusive.  
       [0007] Therefore, a need existed to provide an acupressure device for relieving the symptoms of motion sickness. The acupressure device should be unobtrusive so as to be worn by the user but not noticeable to others around.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, it is an object of the present invention to provide an acupressure device for relieving the symptoms of motion sickness.  
       [0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide an acupressure device for relieving the symptoms of motion sickness wherein the acupressure device is unobtrusive so as to be worn by the user but not noticeable to others around.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0010] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a clasp for securing a piece of jewelry around a wrist of a wearer and for relieving symptoms of motion sickness is disclosed. The clasp has a base member. A protrusion is formed on a bottom surface of the base member. The protrusion will apply pressure to a wrist area of a wear to relieve symptoms of motion sickness. A locking arm is hingely coupled to the base member. The locking arm is used for securing the clasp around the wrist of the wearer.  
       [0011] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a clasp for securing a piece of jewelry around a wrist of a wearer and for relieving symptoms of motion sickness is disclosed. The clasp has a base member. A slot is formed on a proximate end of the base member for securing a first end of the piece of jewelry to the clasp. A protrusion is formed on a bottom surface of the base member. The protrusion will apply pressure to a wrist area of a wear to relieve symptoms of motion sickness. A locking arm is hingely coupled to the base member for securing the clasp around the wrist of the wearer. A locking pin is used for hingely coupling the base member to the locking arm and for coupling a second end of the jewelry to the clasp.  
       [0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0013] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
     [0014]FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of a clasp which is used to relieve the symptoms of motion sickness which is placed on the wrist of a user.  
     [0015]FIG. 2 is an elevated perspective view of the clasp which relieves the symptoms of motion sickness of the present invention.  
     [0016]FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the clasp of the present invention taken along lines  3 - 3  of FIG. 2.  
     [0017]FIG. 4 is a side view of the clasp with the arm of the clasp in an open and unlocked position.  
     [0018]FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the clasp of the present invention.  
     [0019]FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the clasp of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0020] Referring to FIGS.  1 - 6  wherein like numerals and symbols represent like elements a clasp  10  is shown. The clasp  10  is used to secure two ends of a piece of jewelry around the wrist of a wearer. For example, the clasp  10  may be used to secure a bracelet, a watch, or the like around the wrist of the wearer. What is unique about the clasp  10  is that the clasp  10  will apply a slight amount of pressure to the wrist of the wearer in order to relieve the symptoms of motion sickness.  
     [0021] The clasp  10  may come in many different sizes and shapes. The clasp  10  may further be made out of many different types of materials. In general, the clasp  10  will be made from a material similar to that which the jewelry in which the clasp  10  will be attached is made from.  
     [0022] The clasp  10  has a base member  12 . The base member  12  may come in any size or shape. In the embodiment depicted in the Figures, the base member  12  is rectangular in shape. However, this is just given as an example and should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention.  
     [0023] On the bottom section of the base member  12  is a protrusion  14 . The protrusion  14  is used to apply pressure to the percardium six (P 6 ) acupressure point on the wrist of the wearer. The percardium six (P 6 ) is the acupressure point for relieving nausea. In the embodiment depicted in the Figures, the protrusion  14  is semispherical in shape. However, this should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention. Other shapes may be used as long as the protrusion applies pressure to the percardium six (P 6 ) acupressure point on the wrist of the wearer.  
     [0024] On the top surface of base member  12  is a slot  16 . The slot  16  is generally positioned on the proximal end of the base member  12 . However, this should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention. The slot  16  may be positioned anywhere on the top surface of base member  12 . The slot  16  is used to secure one end of a piece of jewelry within the clasp  10  so as to secured the piece of jewelry around the wrist of the wearer.  
     [0025] Hingely coupled to the base member  12  is a locking arm  18 . The locking arm  18  will lock the clasp  10  in place around the wrist of the wearer securing the piece of jewelry also around the wrist of the wearer. In the embodiment depicted in the Figures, the locking arm  18  has a small step  20  coupled to the proximate end of the locking arm  18 . The step  20  has an opening  22  formed there through. A locking pin  24  is then placed through an opening in the base member  12  and through the opening  22  hingely coupling the locking arm  18  to the base member.  
     [0026] A tab member  26  extends down from the locking arm  18 . The tab member  26  extends from the distal end of the locking arm  18 . The tab member  26  will secure the locking arm  18  in a closed position over the base member  12  securing the clasp  10  around the wrist of the wearer.  
     [0027] Jewelry is generally coupled to the clasp  10 . In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, one end of the jewelry will have a channeling. When the channeling is properly aligned, one may insert the locking pin  24  through the channeling, the opening in the base member  12 , through the opening  22  in the step  20  and then back through the base member  12  and the channeling in the jewelry. This will secure one end of the jewelry to the clasp  10 . The other end of the jewelry will generally have a ring member. The ring member is positioned in the slot  16 . The locking arm  18  is then closed securing the other end of the jewelry in the clasp  10 . When properly secured around the wrist of the wearer, the protrusion  14  will press into the wrist of the wearer. The protrusion  14  will apply pressure to the percardium six (P 6 ) acupressure point on the wrist of the wearer. The percardium six (P 6 ) is the acupressure point for relieving nausea.  
     [0028] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.