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 used singly or interconnected with an adjacent one or more mat section by use of a connector member such that the adjacent mat sections can be connected together. Each mat section includes an array of pressure point fingers.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/626,283 filed on Sep. 25, 2012. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    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. 
         [0003]    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. 
         [0004]    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 connector which permits one of the mats to be engaged with an adjacent one or more of the mats. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    One embodiment accordingly, provides a mat section which can be used singly or 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 connector member such that the adjacent mat sections can be connected together. Each mat section includes an array of pressure point fingers. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of one side of a pressure point mat having a plurality of pressure point fingers. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1   a  is an enlarged partial perspective view illustrating a portion of the mat of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIGS. 2   a - 2   c  are perspective views illustrating embodiments of various geometric shapes of the pressure point fingers, i.e. having an oval, a triangular and a rectangular base, respectively. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a pressure point finger having a circular base and having a width dimension and a height dimension of the pressure point finger. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view illustrating an embodiment of a force applied to a tip of a substantially rigid pressure point finger. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged partial cross-sectional side view illustrating an embodiment of the mat and a connector. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the connector for interconnecting adjacent mats. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a partial view illustrating an embodiment of the connector clamped on side-by-side edges of adjacent mats. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    A therapeutic device includes a mat  10  having a first surface  12 ,  FIGS. 1 and 5 , 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 substantially rigid to resist flexing or distortion. An elongated groove  13  is formed in surface  12  along one or more edges  13   a  of mat  10 . Each pressure point finger  16 , see also  FIG. 3 , includes a tip  16   a , a base  16   b  and a shaft  16   c . The shaft  16   c  tapers outwardly from the tip  16   a  to the base  16   b . The base  16   b  has a width dimension indicated as  16   w , such that the base  16   b  is of a greater width than the tip  16   a . Each shaft  16   c  has a height dimension  16   h  from the base  16   b  to the tip  16   a . The height dimension  16   h  of each shaft  16   c  being fractionally greater than the width dimension  16   w  of the base  16   b . However, both the height  16   h  and the width  16   w  are about 0.125 inches or less. Thus, the pressure point fingers  16  are substantially rigid to resist flexing. Each tip  16   a  is substantially tapered but is slightly rounded. This construction is sufficient to stimulate therapeutic treatment while resisting skin penetration. 
         [0015]    The pressure point fingers  16 , see  FIGS. 1   a ,  2   a - c  and  3 - 4 , may be of varying geometry. For example, the pressure point finger  16  of  FIG. 3 , includes a base  16   b  having a circular cross-sectional shape, whereas the pressure point finger  16  of  FIG. 2   a  includes a base  16   b  having an oval cross-sectional shape. In  FIGS. 2   b  and  2   c , the pressure point fingers  16  have a base  16   b  including a triangular cross-sectional shape and a rectangular cross-sectional shape, respectively. It is illustrated in  FIG. 1   a , that the pressure point fingers  16  are substantially equally spaced apart linearly and laterally as indicated by the similar distance dimensions  16   s . Finally, as described above, the pressure point finger  16  of  FIG. 4  illustrates the rigidity of each finger  16  enabling resistance to pressure acting thereon as indicated by a force designated  16   f.    
         [0016]    A connector  20 ,  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7  is provided as a means for connecting an edge  13   a  of one mat  10  to an edge  13   a  of an adjacent mat  10 . The connector  20  is preferably extruded and includes a first flange  22  and a second flange  24  connected to and spaced from the first flange  22  by means of a web  26 . The first and second flanges  22 ,  24 , respectively, form a pair of opposed gaps  22   a ,  22   b  on opposite sides of the web  26 . The first flange  22  is of a greater width than the width of the second flange  24 . The second flange  24  includes a pair of elongated ribs  28  extending into each gap  22   a ,  22   b . The elongated ribs  28  may be replaced by a row of protrusions if desired, however, the continuous, elongated rib  28  is preferred. 
         [0017]    Connection of a mat  10  to the connector  20  is best illustrated in  FIG. 5 . One gap  22   b  of connector  20  is shown empty to receive a mat  10 , and the opposite gap is shown engaged with a mat  10 . Groove  13  receives a rib  28  when the mat edge  13   a  nests against web  26 . Manual pressure may be applied to either or both flanges  22 ,  24  to seat rib  28  into groove  13  in an interference fit for easy attachment and detachment. 
         [0018]    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.