Patent ID: 12226357

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description a number of exemplary embodiments of the invention will be discussed. Throughout the discussion like components and features may be identified from embodiment to embodiment with the same identifier numerals in the figures.

FIG.1is a side view of a pressure applicator assembly1according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention whereasFIG.2is an exploded view of the pressure applicator assembly1.

Pressure applicator assembly1is comprised of a plurality of resilient nested members3a, which is the outermost member,3bwhich is an intermediate member, and3cwhich is an innermost member.

It will be realized that in other embodiments of the invention more than three resilient members may be provided and furthermore in an alternative embodiment of the invention the apparatus may have only two resilient members, i.e. an inner and an outer member with no intermediate member.

In the presently described preferred embodiment of the invention the resilient nested members3a,3b,3care shaped as domes with outer convex dome surfaces4a,4band4c. However it should be realized that in other embodiments of the invention they may have other shapes that are suitable for providing therapeutic pressure to a human body. The outermost dome3ahas an outer surface4athat is formed with a number of projections5for applying discrete regions of pressure to the subject in use.

The resilient members3a,3b,3care provided mounted upon base15and are attracted thereto and fixed in place by virtue of them each having magnets that are attracted to a magnetically attracted region of the base comprising a ferromagnetic material in the form of a galvanized steel plate13that is part of the base15.

With reference again toFIG.2, the base15comprises the galvanized steel plate13which is adhered or otherwise fastened to a rocker17. The rocker17comprises a disk having an inner side to which the steel plate13is adhered or otherwise mounted and a convex outer side for contact against a weight bearing surface such as a floor or wall. The base may be other than disk shaped, for example it could be square or rectangular or any other desired shape. A non slip mat19covers the galvanized steel plate13. The galvanized steel plate13and the non-slip mat19are snugly received within a circular recess21formed into the inner side of the rocker17and defined by a peripheral lip23around the outside of the inner side of the rocker. The lip23is dimensioned to complement an outer periphery of the outermost one of the plurality of resilient nested members, i.e. member3ainFIG.2.

FIG.4is an assembly view of the underside of the resilient nested members3a,3b,3cwherein it can be see that each of the members3a,3b,3cincludes attachment means in the form of magnets9.FIG.5shows a cross sectional view taken along the line A-A′ ofFIG.4in which the magnets are not shown.

The magnets9may be seen inFIG.4, and are each contained within pockets11, best seen inFIG.5. Each of the resilient members3a,3b,3cis preferably made of a thermoplastic elastomer material by injection molding after which the magnets9are inserted into the pockets11. In other embodiments of the invention the magnets9are embedded within the resilient member at the time of the injection molding so that the magnets are not visible when viewing the underside of the resilient member.

With reference again toFIG.3, it is preferred that each of the resilient nested members has an inner side that is reinforced. As it may be seen each of the resilient nested members3a,3b,3chave an inner side that includes reinforcement ribs25a,25b,25c. The ribs are designed to add structure and firmness to their associated member whilst allowing for a degree of softness and bounce.

Each of the resilient members3a,3bhas ribs25a,25bwith inner sides that are arcuate and with a profile that is shaped to complement an outer side, i.e. surfaces4band4cof the next inner nested members3band3crespectively.

For example, the outer side of resilient member3cabuts the inner sides of ribs25bof the next outermost member3b. Similarly, the outer side of resilient member3babuts the inner sides of ribs25aof the next outermost member3a. It will be realized that as more or less of the resilient members are nested together the firmness of the outer surface of the outermost one of the nested members increases or decreases.

The term“nested” includes an arrangement by which at least a part of an outer surface of the intermediate member3bfits within at least a part of the outermost member3aand similarly at least a part of the innermost member3cfits within a part of the intermediate member3b. In the present instance each of the resilient nested members3a,3b,3care dome shaped with an inner, concavity of the outer member3ademarcated by stiffening ribs25athat complement an outer, convex side of intermediate member3band similarly, an inner concavity of the intermediate member3bdemarcated by stiffening rings25bcomplements an outer convex side of the innermost member3c. In the presently described embodiments of the invention when the resilient members are nested together as shown in cross section inFIG.5for example, the outer peripheries of each of the resilient members are substantially coplanar so that they can simultaneously sit upon a flat surface such as base15as shown inFIG.1.

With reference again toFIG.6, adjacent resilient members for example3a,3band3b,3cinclude formations for detachable engagement therebetween. The formations include corresponding protrusions27a,27band recesses29b,29cformed on respective outer and inner peripheries of the adjacent resilient members. Urging the adjacent resilient members into the nested position illustrated inFIG.6causes sufficient deformation for the protrusions27a,27bto be received into the recesses29b,29cand thus engaged therein.

With reference toFIG.3, to assist a user to overcome the engagement the ribs are formed with one or more access cut-outs31a,31bso that the user can insert a finger to gain purchase on an inner one of the adjacent resilient members to thereby overcome the engagement force between the protrusions and the undercuts.

For example, the user may insert a thumb in a first access cut-out31aand a finger in a second access cut-out31ato assist in bringing the outermost resilient member3aaway from the intermediate resilient member3b.

In use a person takes the pressure applicator assembly1, in its fully assembled state as shown inFIG.1to prepare for use. Depending on the person's requirements the assembly1may be used in a number of different modes. For example if the person wishes to reduce the firmness of the outermost resilient member3aof the pressure applicator assembly1then either innermost resilient member3c, or both the innermost resilient member3cand the intermediate resilient member3bare removed. Removing or adding the intermediate member and/or the innermost resilient member involves firstly grasping the outermost member3aand then applying sufficient withdrawal force to overcome the attraction of the magnets9to galvanised steel plate13of the base15. It will be realised that care is taken in designing the detachable engagement formations so that the engagement force of adjacent resilient members to each other is greater than the attractive force of the magnets to the steel plate13, since if that is not the case then then innermost resilient member3cand possibly also the intermediate resilient member3bwill remain attached to the base13whilst the outermost resilient member3ais detached from the base.

Once one or more of the intermediate and innermost resilient members have been removed then the outermost member, and possibly the intermediate member too in nested formation, can be reattached to the base. Alternatively they can instead be placed on the floor or against a wall if the base, with its rocking functionality is not required. If a smaller radius of curvature is desired, for applying more localised pressure then the outermost resilient member can be removed so that the person can apply more localised pressure using either the intermediate or the innermost resilient member. Typically a person lies or stands so that part of the person's body is brought against the resilient member in use

FIGS.7to12show the use of the assembly in various configurations. InFIG.7the intermediate resilient member3bis shown attached to the base15with the outermost resilient member3ahaving been removed. In the configuration shown inFIG.7an intermediate curvature is presented for a somewhat localised application of pressure. The innermost resilient member3cmay be nested within the intermediate member3bfor greater firmness or it may have been removed for reduced firmness.

FIG.8shows the innermost resilient member being used in isolation. It presents a minimum radius of curvature for most localised application of pressure and is the firmest of the three resilient members in isolation.

FIG.9shows the outermost resilient member3aresting on a surface such as the floor and detached from the base. The outermost resilient member3ain isolation is the least firm of the three resilient members. This configuration presents the greatest radius of curvature for a greater area of application of pressure though due to the projections5there are a number of somewhat localised areas of discrete pressure. Both the intermediate3band innermost3cresilient members may be nested within the outermost resilient member for greatest firmness. Alternatively either just the intermediate member3bmay be nested within the outermost resilient member3afor intermediate firmness or neither are nested within the outermost resilient member3afor lowest degree of firmness.

FIGS.10,11and12show the use of each of the resilient member on the base disk17wherein the base disk has been upturned so that it does not tilt.

It will therefore be realised that the pressure applicator assembly ofFIG.1allows for a range of pressure application and pressure localisation options along with the ability to have a rocker base for directing the applied pressure to the subject if desired. Due to the nesting of the resilient members the degree of firmness and/or the radius of curvature and thus the degree of localisation of application of force can be varied. Furthermore, the apparatus is readily stored and transported since it can be placed into the compact nested configuration that is illustrated inFIG.1.

Although it is preferred that the resilient nested members are used with the preferred base15they might also be used with another magnetically attractive base such as a magnetically attracted metal wall or floor surface or some other object that has a suitable magnetically attracted surface.

Various embodiments of the invention are possible. For example,FIGS.13,14and15are views of the underside of a further embodiment of resilient nested members3a′ which is an outermost member,3b′ which is an intermediate member and3c′ which is an innermost member. The resilient members3a′,3b′ and3c′ differ from the previous versions3a,3b,3cillustrated inFIG.3in two ways. Firstly, the resilent members3a′,3b′ and3c′ are moulded with integrally formed magnet covers33that cover the pockets in which the disk magnets are located to thereby secure them within. Secondly, opposed sides35a,37a,35b,37b, of each of the access cut-outs31a′,31b′, of the outermost and intermediate nested members3a′ and3b′ are arcuate to complement sides of a user's finger so that the finger can be easily and comfortably inserted into the access holes for detaching adjacent resilient members from each other.

Furthermore, although the resilient members are preferably dome-shaped they might be provided in other nestable shapes too.

Other possible embodiments may include variations in the plan size or plan shape of the base. For example a large rectangular plan shape rather than a small circular plan shape may be used. Further embodiments may vary the contours of the base, for example flat, angled, rocker, wobble or multiplaner contours may be provided. Various contours allow the resilient members to be used at differing angles, from horizontal to inclined to vertical. Various contours also allow differing degrees of stability, from fixed in position to unstable.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention that has been discussed the overall wall thickness is 5.5 mm and the outer diameters of the resilient members3a,3b,3care respectively 120 mm, 90 mm and 60 mm. When nested the resilient members create a planar or near-planar base. The ribs of each resilient member are slightly recessed from its outer periphery to reduce wear of the ribs.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term “comprises” and its variations, such as “comprising” and “comprised of” is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described herein comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term “substantially” or “about” will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.

Any embodiment of the invention is meant to be illustrative only and is not meant to be limiting to the invention. Therefore, it should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the scope of the invention.