Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02436926 2003-08-11
Description
HEADACHE PATH ALLEV2ATTON SYSTEM
Technical Field
The present inventian relates to deva.ces and systems for use
by headache sufferers and more particularly to a headache pain
alleviation system that includes a two-piece, adjustablE: fit, head
~nr_ircling assembly, a pressurizable bladdev assembly, and tu~o
separate thermal packs; the tsvo-piece, adjustable fit, head
enr_i.~-~Jling assembly including two substantially ider:tical ,
elongated, rectangular members each provided eaith a thermal pack
recei~ring pocket therein for receiving and holding one of the
thermal packs therein, the ends o' the two substantially identical,
elongated, rectangu7.ar members being provided ~~~ith sections of hook
'~5 and pile fastener material such that the two substantially
identical, elongated, rectangular members are connectable end to
end in a manner to form a closed, head-encirc~~.~.ng loop of various
sizes; the pressurizable bladder assembly inr_ludes a squeeze air
pump 'zaving an outlet in connection with a stal)c portion of a Y-
2o shaped air presst:re line having two elongated bladder connected air
fee~a lines, an air pressure regulator valve installed in air
pressure controlling coi:nection along each of the two ai.r teed
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lines, and two separate air bladders each in sealed connection
with an outlet end of one of the two air feed lines; one air
bladder being positioned within each of the two substantially
identical, elongated, rectangular members at a location adjacent
the pocket of the elongated, rectangular member such that, when a
thermal pack is positioned within the thermal pack receiving
pocket, inflation of the air bladder provides a force to push a
user facing surface of the elongated., rectangular member against
the user and the thermal pack toward the user, and, when tl:e
~0 thermal pack r=ceiving pocket is empty, in.flaticn of th:e air
bladder provides a force to push t!:e user facing surface of ~~re
elongated, rectangular member against the user; an cuter Facing
surface of each of the elongated, rectangular members being
constructed from non-stretch material to incr~nase a force applied
:5 by inflation of ona or both of the air bladders.
Fsackcxrow.nd Art
Many headache suffers receive pain relief by applying pressure
to their heads and/or by applying cold or heat to either or both
their foreheads, the back of the base of the mead and other
.0 locations. ~~orne al so receive some benefit from ay:p:Lyimg b~r~!,:
pressure and heat or cold simultaneously. It would b~~ desirable,
therefore, to have a system that would allow a headache su~Ferer
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to be able to apply heat or cold co desirEd areas of the head
region as well as to apply selected pressure to selecr_ed head areas
for extended periods of time without requiring the user to dedicate
one or more of his/her hands to holding a heating or cooling device
in a desired location or applying the desired force.
General Summary Discussion of Invention
Tt is thus an object of the invention to provide a headache
pain alleviation system.
Accordingly, a headache pain a,~leviatior. syste:~~ ~.s provided.
a0 Tie headache pain alleviation system includes a two-piece,
adjustable rit, head encircling assembly, a pressurizable bladder
assembly, and two separate thermal. packs.
Bri__ef_ Description of Drawings
For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the
present invention, reference should be made to the following
detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which like elements are given the same or analogous
reference numbers and wherein:
Figure Z is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
the headache pain alleviation system of the present invention.
Exemplary Mode for Carry~_ng__Out the Invention
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Figure 1 show variaus aspects of an e:cE:mplary embodiment of
the readaclle pain alleviation system of the present invention
generally designated lf~. Headache pain alleviation system 10
includes a two-piece, adjustable fit, head encircling assembly,
generally designated 12; a pressurizable: bladder assembly,
generally designated l~; and two separate thermal transfer devices,
in this embodiment two t!~ermal gel packs, generally designated
16a,16b, that may be configured to supply heat or provide cooling
as desires.
T'wo-piece, adjustable fit, :-read enc~_rcling assembly ~2
includes two substantially identical, elongated, rectangular
men~~ers, generally designated 18a, 18b, each provided with a thermal
pace; receiving pocket 20 therein for receivizng and holding one or
the thermal packs 16a,16b therein. The ends '?1a,21b of the t~~:e
'_-~ substantially identical, elongated, rectangular men,.~ers 18a, 18b are
provided ~.Jith sections 22,2 of hook and pile fastener material
such that the two substantially identical, elongated, ~=ectangular
members ~Ba,lBb are connectable end to end in a manner to form a
closed, head-encircling loop of various sizes.
c7 Pressurawable bladder assembly 14 includes a squeeze air pump
26 having an outlet 28 in connection with a stalk portion 30 of a
~r-shaped air pressure line, generally designated 3~~, having tyro
elongated bladder connected air feed lines 26a, 36b: an air pres~:ur~
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regulator valve 40a,40b installed, respectively, in air pressure
controlling connection along each of the two air feed lines
36a,35b; and t~fro separate air bladders 46a,46b, each in sealed
connection c~ith an outlet end of a respective one of the two air
S feed lines 36a,36b. One air bladder 46a,45b is positioned within.
each of the two substantially identical, elongated, :rectangular
members =_8a,18b at a ?ocation adjacent the pocket ~0 of the
elongated, rectangular member 18a, 18b such that, when a t;iermal
pack 15a,16b, is positioned within the thermal pack receiving
~u pocr.et 20, inLiation of tre adjacent air bladder 4ca,41;b provides
Fore: to ;:a;s:z a user facir:g surface SO of ~~.ne elonJated,
rectangular :,ember ~.8a,18b against the user and the tluermal pack
1o'a, 16b toc~Jard the user, and, when. the the:rn;al pack receiving
pocket 20 is empr.y, inflation of an air bladder 4oa,~l6a provides a
:; force to pu:~n the user facing surface 50 of T.: he 'longated,
rectangular member 18a,18b against the user. A:~ cuter facing
surface 58 of Mach of the elongated, rectangular members 18a,18b is
constructed frem non-stretch material to increase rh~~ ~~r.~~e applied
by inflaticn o.t the air bladders 46a,46b.
~0 En use, '_he user selects ~~rhether to use gel r~ac!~s 1.5a, 16b for
r.~r.rviding heat or cold and po:~itions one of the titer°mal gel packs
lo'a, lnb, in tie desired he ati.ng o~- Cooling configv.ir:~r_.ion; into each
oc th~~ two pocl:ct5 ~8a, 48b. The user then poswtions the two
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adjustably connectable belt members l8aa,18b around his/her head
such that the pockets 20 are locaCed on user_ selected areas for
applying heating or cooling, such as the forehead and the back base
_u the head. The hook and pile fastener sections 22,24 of the belt
members 18a,18b are then secured together to ~orrn a tight fitting
loop about the user's head such that the the-rural gel packs 16a,1&b
are m.aintaned in position against the desired head and/or neck
a~~eas .
Should the user desire to app7.y additional force to the areas
re~eivring heating or cooling or just desire: to use pressure on
~<> _,- ~ the user simpiy inflates one or more air
4s.i._ _d e=.s ~:~on~,
bladders 4~a,46b. The user may control the degree of inflation by
ac? j:m> _ ing the: respective regulator valve 40a, 40b.
_,. ran be seen from the preceding descri~~tion that a headache
pa=a alle~~iation system has been prouided.
.t is noted that the embodiment of !:he headache pain
a! leviation system described herein in dsetail for e~cemplar_v
purposes is of course subject to many difl:erent variations i.n
_.~.~v:_~eure, de~aian, application and methodology. because rr:anv
~:a.l°yiig an:x different embodiments may be made: within the scope of
r_:~~e inventive concept (~) herein taught, and bcacau:~c many modif.ic"-
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tions may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in. accordance
with the descriptive requirements of the law, its is to be
understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
