Abstract:
A device for providing therapeutic pressure therapy to parts of the body for treatment of pain which comprises a jaw assembly having a front opening to receive a part of the body therein. A set of inflatable pneumatic bladders is secured in said jaw assembly. A mechanism within the enclosure is for inflating and deflating the pneumatic bladders together at predetermined timed intervals to apply varying amounts of pressure to the part of the body to provide relief from pain.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The instant application is a nonprovisional application of U.S. provisional application No. 61/276,897, filed on Sep. 17, 2009, and entitled “Squeeze-Reliever” inflatable pressurized bladders in housing pain reliever, and it is respectfully requested that this application be accorded the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of said U.S. provisional application. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a pain relief apparatus, and more particularly, a device for providing therapeutic pressure therapy to parts of the body for treatment of pain. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Numerous innovations for pressure applying devices have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes which they address, however, they differ from the present invention. 
         [0006]    A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,581,740, Issued on Jun. 1, 1971, to Sherbourne teaches an inflatable splint for extending the fingers and wrist of the hand of the wearer. The splint has an inflatable chamber extending over the hand and wrist area of the wearer, with one surface which assumes a planar configuration when the splint is inflated. The one surface has finger loops adapted to receive the fingers of the wearer and positioned such that, upon inflation, the fingers will be moved to a normally extended, spaced-apart position. Wrist straps on the wrist area are provided to encircle the wearer&#39;s wrist so that, upon inflation, the wrist joint of the wearer will be moved to a straight position along with the extended fingers. 
         [0007]    A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,595,225, Issued on Jul. 27, 1971, to Beeman teaches a support or brace means applicable to portions of a human hand and comprising a twisted, substantially U-shaped, resilient body portion terminating in pressure applying end portions. The end portions apply pressure in substantially opposite directions. The supports of the present invention may be applied to the hand so as to apply substantially oppositely directed pressures to the distal and proximal metacarpal joints of the thumb or first digit, and they may be applied to any of the four remaining digits to exert opposite pressures to adjacent digital bones or phalanges to correct misalignment brought about by arthritis and the like, and to relieve the attendant pain. 
         [0008]    A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,654,917, Issued on Apr. 11, 1972, to Dienner teaches an electro-magnetic device having a plurality of movable applicators adapted to be brought into yielding engagement with an affected finger, and vibrated. The applicators, as a group, surround the finger and are pressed against the sides of the finger and are moved lengthwise of the finger back and forth over one or the other of the two free finger joints with a stroking motion. 
         [0009]    A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,182,338, Issued on Jan. 8, 1980, to Stanulis teaches a device which prevents bleeding through needle puncture wounds by applying pressure to the wound through an elastomeric appliance having a blunt skin abutting surface held in place over the wound by securing straps. The pressure applied by the device is sufficient only to prevent bleeding through the wound and does not impede the subsurface flow of blood. 
         [0010]    A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,520, Issued on Dec. 9, 1997, to Bruckner et al. teaches a pressure-applying device for relieving distress that includes a pressure applicator having a plate member and a pressure-applying body attached to and protruding from one of a pair of opposite surfaces of the plate member. The plate member has a central portion with a pair of opposite surfaces facing in opposite directions and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion and having a pair of first opposite sides respectively connected to opposite ends of the central portion and a pair of second opposite sides spaced from a pair of opposite edges of the central portion so as to define respective elongated enclosed slots within the plate member between the second opposite sides of the peripheral portion and the pair of opposite edges of the central portion of the plate member. The device also includes a flexible strap attached to the plate member and adapted for wrapping and securing around a part of the body of a user so that the pressure-applying body is between the flexible strap and part of the body and is in contact with a selected point on the part of the body of the user for applying pressure thereto. 
         [0011]    A SIXTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,657, Issued on Aug. 4, 1998, to Burns teaches a small hand-held device having a body of electrically insulating material, and a central rod of electrically conductive material which provides for the rod extending beyond a proximal and a distal ends of the body to form electrical contacts. Therefore an electrical conduction path is set-up between the contacts. This path is advantageously used to establish a charge state on the skin surface so as to help in relieving localized pain. A pointed proximal end of the device enables an effective massaging action when the device is brought into contact with the skin and pressed into it. 
         [0012]    A SEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,004, Issued on Nov. 17, 1998, to Lavore teaches a device to reduce pain, relax muscle spasm, decrease swelling, and increase circulation to the bones, joints, and muscles of the face of a patient having temporomandibular joint dysfunction, the device having a thin, hexagonal configuration with an essentially uniform cross-section, and a flexible outer envelope having a perimeter limited to covering an area on one side of a patient&#39;s face to minimally include the area over the rear portion of the patient&#39;s mandible, the zygomatic arch, the front portion of the temporal bone, the great wing of the sphenoid bone, the lower front portion of the parietal bone, the outer envelope also having hook material on both sides of the upper panel placed away from the patient&#39;s face so that it can also be used inside-out against the opposite side of the patient&#39;s face and the lower rear portion of the frontal bone. Also the outer envelope is secured to the treated area by a separate quick-release non-stretchable strap comprising pile material on one of its sides, and the outer envelope has a removable inner member comprising a gel that can be heated and chilled, without hardening. Applications of the present invention, although not limited to the minimizing of pain, muscle spasms, and inflammation of joints associated with temporomandibular joint dysfunction are best suited for such purposes since its perimeter closely approximates the area on a patient&#39;s face which contains pain sensitive structures most commonly affected by temporomandibular joint dysfunction. 
         [0013]    It is apparent now that numerous innovations for pressure applying devices have been provided in the prior art that are adequate for various purposes. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes which they address, however, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a device for providing therapeutic pressure therapy to parts of the body for treatment of pain that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. 
         [0015]    ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a device for providing therapeutic pressure therapy to parts of the body for treatment of pain that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. 
         [0016]    STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a device for providing therapeutic pressure therapy to parts of the body for treatment of pain that is simple to use. 
         [0017]    BRIEFLY STATED, STILL YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a device for providing therapeutic pressure therapy to parts of the body for treatment of pain which comprises a housing assembly having a front opening to receive the part of the body therein. A first pneumatic bladder is in the housing assembly at bottom of the front opening. A second pneumatic bladder is in the housing assembly at top of the front opening directly above the first pneumatic bladder. An enclosure is behind the housing assembly. A mechanism within the enclosure is for inflating and deflating the first pneumatic bladder and the second pneumatic bladder together at predetermined timed intervals to apply varying amounts of pressure to the part of the body to provide relief from pain. 
         [0018]    The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0019]    The figures of the drawings are briefly described as follows: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic top, left, front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic bottom, left, front perspective view thereof; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic top, left, rear perspective view thereof; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic left side elevational view taken in the direction of arrow  4  in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic top view taken in the direction of arrow  5  in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic front view taken in the direction of arrow  6  in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic top, left, front perspective view of the stationary lower jaw component per se; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic top view taken in the direction of arrow  8  in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic front view taken in the direction of arrow  9  in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a diagrammatic top, left, front perspective view of the movable upper jaw component per se; 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is a diagrammatic top view taken in the direction of arrow  11  in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is a diagrammatic front view taken in the direction of arrow  12  in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  is a diagrammatic top, left, front perspective view similar to  FIG. 1 , showing a hand of a user placed between the two pneumatic bladders before inflation of the pneumatic bladders; 
           [0033]      FIG. 14  is a diagrammatic perspective view similar to  FIG. 13 , showing the movable upper jaw component lowered and the pneumatic bladders appropriately inflated to cause pressure to be applied to the hand of the user; 
           [0034]      FIG. 15  is a diagrammatic longitudinal partial cross sectional view taken on line  15 - 15  in  FIG. 1 , when the pneumatic bladders are deflated; 
           [0035]      FIG. 16  is a diagrammatic longitudinal partial cross sectional view taken on line  16 - 16  in  FIG. 1 , when the pneumatic bladders are inflated; 
           [0036]      FIG. 17  is a block diagram showing the interconnection of the circuitry and components of the present invention; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 18  is a timing diagram showing the relationship of the sequence of events occurring among the various components and circuitry of the present invention during the operative cycle thereof. 
       
    
    
     A MARSHALING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING 
       [0000]    
       
           20  device 
           22  jaw assembly 
           24  front opening 
           26  first pneumatic bladder 
           30  second pneumatic bladder 
           34  enclosure 
           36  stationary lower jaw component 
           38  movable upper jaw component 
           40  mechanisms for inflating and deflating at least one pneumatic bladder ( 26 ,  30 ) 
           41  mechanisms for fixedly adjusting jaws 
           42  DC power source 
           44  voltage regulator 
           46  on/off power switch 
           48  control circuit 
           50  pump 
           53  air outlet, of said pump  50   
           52  air inlet valve 
           54  normally opened solenoid valve 
           56  air vent of normally opened solenoid valve  54   
           57  air inlet of normally opened solenoid valve  54   
           58  pressure sensor 
           60  on interval timer 
           62  off interval timer 
           64  manually adjustable pressure switch 
           66  optional timer 
           68  first manual control for first timer circuit  60   
           70  second manual control for second timer circuit  62   
           74  separate distinct reference values components 
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0066]    Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to  FIGS. 1 , through  18 , which are a diagrammatic top, left, front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; a diagrammatic bottom, left, front perspective view thereof; a diagrammatic top, left, rear perspective view thereof; a diagrammatic left side view taken in the direction of arrow  4  in  FIG. 1 ; a diagrammatic top view taken in the direction of arrow  5  in  FIG. 1 ; a diagrammatic front view taken in the direction of arrow  6  in  FIG. 1 ; a diagrammatic top, left, front perspective view of the stationary lower jaw component per se; a diagrammatic top view taken in the direction of arrow  8  in  FIG. 7 ; a diagrammatic front view taken in the direction of arrow  9  in  FIG. 7 ; a diagrammatic top, left, front perspective view of the movable upper jaw component per se; a diagrammatic top view taken in the direction of arrow  11  in  FIG. 10 ; a diagrammatic front view taken in the direction of arrow  12  in  FIG. 10 ; a diagrammatic top, left, front perspective view similar to  FIG. 1 , showing a hand of a user placed between the two pneumatic bladders before inflation of the pneumatic bladders; a diagrammatic view similar to  FIG. 13 , showing the movable upper jaw component lowered and the pneumatic bladders appropriately inflated to cause pressure to be applied to the hand of the user; a diagrammatic longitudinal partial cross sectional view taken on line  15 - 15  in  FIG. 1 , when the pneumatic bladders are deflated; a diagrammatic longitudinal partial cross sectional view taken on line  16 - 16  in  FIG. 1 , when the pneumatic bladders are inflated; a block diagram showing the interconnection of the circuitry and components of the present invention; and a timing diagram showing the relationship of the sequence of events occurring among the various components and circuitry of the present invention during the operative cycle thereof, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto. 
         [0067]    The present invention is a device  20  for providing therapeutic pressure therapy to parts of the body for treatment of pain which comprises the following components. First a jaw assembly  22  having a front opening  24  to receive the part of the body therein. Second, a first pneumatic bladder  26  secured to a first stationary lower jaw component  36  of said jaw assembly  22  at the bottom of said front opening  24 . Third, a second pneumatic bladder  30  secured to a second movable upper jaw component  38  of said jaw assembly  22  at the top of said front opening  24  directly above said first pneumatic bladder  26 . Fourth an enclosure  34  behind said jaw assembly  22 . Fifth, mechanisms  40  within said enclosure  34  for inflating and deflating at least one of said first pneumatic bladder  26  and said second pneumatic bladder  30 . 
         [0068]    The invention comprises the device as described initially, with the addition that said jaw assembly  22  comprises: a stationary lower jaw component  36  a movable upper jaw component  38 , and mechanisms  41  for fixedly adjusting said movable upper jaw component  38  closer and further with respect to said stationary lower jaw component  36 . Said mechanisms  41  may, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention may utilize an indexing mechanism to allow said movable upper jaw component  38  to be held at a plurality of positions relative to said stationary lower jaw component  36 . 
         [0069]    The invention comprises the device as described initially, with the addition that said inflating and deflating mechanisms has the following parts. First a DC power source  42 . Second a voltage regulator  44  electrically connected to said DC power source  42 . Third an on/off power switch  46  electrically connected between said DC power source  42  and said voltage regulator  44 . Fourth a control circuit  48  electrically connected to said voltage regulator  44 . Fifth a pump  50  having an air inlet  52  and an air outlet  53 , said pump  50  electrically connected to said control circuit  48  while said air outlet  53  is fluidly connected to said pneumatic bladders  26 ,  30 . Sixth a normally opened solenoid valve  54  having an air vent  56 , said solenoid valve  54  electrically connected to said control circuit  48 . Seventh, and a pressure sensor  58  electrically connected to said control circuit  48  and fluidly connected to said air inlet  53  of said pump  50 , said air inlet  57  of said solenoid valve  54 , and said pneumatic bladders  26 ,  30 . 
         [0070]    The invention comprises the device as described initially including the inflating and deflating mechanisms  40  as described wherein said control circuit  48  comprises: an on interval timer  60  having a control  68 ; an off interval timer  62  having a control  70 ; and a manually adjustable pressure switch  64  for choosing a reference element  74 . 
         [0071]    The invention comprises the device as described further comprising an optional timer  66  electrically connected to said control circuit  48 , for disconnecting the electrical power source  42  and accordingly deactivating and shutting off said device  20 . 
         [0072]    The invention comprises the device as described initially wherein said deflating and inflating mechanisms  40  comprises: an electrically operated pump  50 ; an electrically operated solenoid valve  54 ; a pressure sensor component  58 ; a first manual control  68  for a first timer circuit  60  and a second manual control  70  for a second timer circuit  62 ; a first timer circuit  60 , a second timer circuit  62 ; and a manually adjustable switch  64  for choosing a reference element  74  and feedback control circuitry in communication with said electrically operated pump  50 , said pressure sensor component  58  and said reference value elements  74 , wherein a pressure in both said first pneumatic bladder  26  and said second pneumatic bladder  30  are responsive to the value chosen with said manually adjustable pressure switch  64  for choosing a reference element  74  typically L, M, or H. 
         [0073]    The invention comprises the device as described, wherein said electrically operated pump  50  is a diaphragm pump. 
         [0074]    The invention comprises the device as described wherein said manually adjustable switch  64  for choosing a reference element  74  comprises a manually adjustable pressure switch  64  having at least two positions for selecting at least two corresponding separate distinct value reference components  74 , connected thereto, which are utilized as reference elements. 
         [0075]    An embodiment of the invention comprises the device as described wherein said distinct value reference components  74  are resistors. 
         [0076]    An alternate embodiment of the invention comprises the device as described wherein said distinct value reference components  74  are zener diodes. 
         [0077]    An alternate embodiment of the invention comprises the device as described wherein said distinct value reference components  74  are the series combination of a zener diode and a resistor. 
         [0078]    The invention comprises the device as described wherein said manually adjustable reference element  74  comprises a variable potentiometer having an infinite number of positions for selecting a resistive value, which is utilized as a reference element. 
         [0079]    The invention comprises the device as described wherein said manually chosen reference element  74  comprises a variably digital component having a number of positions for selecting a digital output values which is utilized as a reference element. 
         [0080]    The invention comprises the device as described wherein said deflating and inflating mechanisms  40  further comprises: said first timer circuit  60  which controls the length of the ON interval period during which said electrically operated pump is enabled; and said second timer circuit  62  which controls the length of the OFF interval period during which said electrically operated pump is disabled. 
         [0081]    The invention comprises the device as described wherein said deflating and inflating mechanisms  40  further comprises: said first timer circuit  60  wherein length of the ON interval period during which said electrically operated pump  50  is enabled is responsive to a position set on a first manual adjustable control component  68 . 
         [0082]    The invention comprises the device as described wherein said deflating and inflating mechanisms  40  further comprises: a second timer circuit  62  wherein length of the OFF interval period during which said electrically operated pump  50  is disabled is responsive to a position set on a second manual adjustable control component  70 . 
         [0083]    The invention comprises the device as described wherein said deflating and inflating mechanisms  40  further comprises: said first timer circuit  60  which controls the length of the ON interval period during which said electrically operated solenoid valve  54  is closed; and said second timer circuit  62  which controls the length of the OFF interval period during which said electrically operated solenoid valve  54  is open. 
         [0084]    The invention comprises the device as described wherein said deflating and inflating mechanisms  40  further comprises: said first timer circuit  60  wherein length of the ON interval period during which said electrically operated solenoid valve  54  is closed is responsive to a position set on said first manual adjustable control component  68 . 
         [0085]    The invention comprises the device as described wherein said deflating and inflating mechanisms  40  further comprises: said second timer circuit  62  wherein length of the OFF interval period during which said electrically operated solenoid valve  54  is open is responsive to a position set on a second manual adjustable control component  70 . 
         [0086]    The invention comprises the device as described wherein said first manual control  68  and said second manual control  70  may each individually be selected from the group consisting of: a potentiometer, a selector switch, and a digital component having a number of positions for selecting a digital output value. 
         [0087]    While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodiments of a device for providing therapeutic pressure therapy to parts of the body for treatment of pain, accordingly it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
         [0088]    Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.