WO2013041919A1

WO2013041919A1 - Device for the therapeutic and rehabilitative treatment of parts of the body

Info

Publication number: WO2013041919A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/000052
Authority: WO
Inventors: William BERTOIA
Original assignee: Friul Mosaic Sas Di Bertoia William & C
Current assignee: Friul Mosaic Sas Di Bertoia William & C
Priority date: 2011-01-18
Filing date: 2012-01-17
Publication date: 2013-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 2013-07-18
Also published as: ITUD20110005A1; IT1403465B1

Abstract

Device for the therapeutic and rehabilitative treatment of parts of the body comprising a multilayer structure defined by a flexible lower support layer (11), and an upper layer (18) having a discontinuous surface (14), in which a layer of gluing material (12) of the silicon type is interposed between the support layer (11) and the upper layer (18), in which a plurality of blocks (13, 113, 213, 313) of the upper layer (18) are partially drowned in the layer of gluing material (12) for a depth (P), and protrude from the layer of gluing material (12) for a height (H), the ratio between the depth (P) and the height (H) being comprised between 0.2 and 0.6. The blocks (13, 113, 213, 313) are disposed distanced from each other so that the ratio between full and empty spaces of the discontinuous surface (14) is comprised between 0.35 and 0.50.

Description

"DEVICE FOR THE THERAPEUTIC AND REHABILITATIVE TREATMENT OF PARTS OF THE BODY"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a device for the therapeutic and rehabilitative treatment of parts of the human or animal body, and in particular to stimulate, with a massaging and toning action, the lower and upper limbs or other parts of the body that are stimulated and re-activated, for example according to the principles of plantar reflexology.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Devices are known, suitable to exert on the human or animal body stimuli with toning effects, for example for therapeutic purposes, rehabilitation or simply to relax and relieve pains and muscular and/or articular aches and pains.

As far as toning the lower limbs of the human body is concerned, shoes are known which have a sole and a massaging layer disposed on the side where the sole of the foot rests.

The massaging layer consists of a support on which a plurality of pins, having a small diameter, indicatively comprised between 2 and 5 mm, are made in a single piece, or anchored.

The pins are normally distributed uniformly over the whole surface of contact with the sole of the foot, and are separated at regular intervals by empty spaces.

Due to the effect of the weight of the person wearing it and/or the movement made while walking, the shoe exerts an invigorating friction on the sole of the foot, with beneficial effects on the whole muscular and articular structure of the body.

One disadvantage of these known shoes is that the friction is dictated not only by the ratio between the empty spaces and the full spaces formed by the tops of the pins, but also by the weight of the person wearing it, which means that the user is not able to control the massage action as desired.

Another disadvantage is that the shoes are used only to tone the lower limbs of the body, and cannot be used for other parts.

One purpose of the present invention is to achieve a device for therapeutic and rehabilitative treatment which is economical and simple to use, also and especially in the domestic field, and which also allows a person to determine as desired the friction he/she wishes to receive on the different parts of the body.

Another purpose of the invention is to achieve a device used to tone different parts of the body and which does not need energy sources to feed it.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, a device for the therapeutic and rehabilitative treatment of parts of the body comprises a multilayer structure defined by a flexible lower support layer, and an upper layer having a discontinuous surface. By discontinuous surface we mean a surface that has a plurality of full spaces separated by empty spaces.

According to one feature of the present invention, between the support layer and the upper layer a layer of adhesive material of the silicon type is interposed, in which a plurality of blocks with which the upper layer is provided are partly drowned in the layer of adhesive material to a determinate depth, and therefore protrude from the layer of adhesive material to a determinate height.

Here and hereafter in the description and the claims, by blocks we mean elements made of sufficiently rigid material, with both regular and irregular shapes, conformed for example substantially as spheres, cylinders, cones, prisms, and also irregular surfaces such as for example as pebbles or fragments of rock or similar, and not specifically modeled.

In particular, Applicant has found that an optimum ratio between the depth and height, which protrudes from the surface of the upper layer, is comprised between 0.2 and 0.6.

According to another feature,the blocks are disposed spaced from each other so that the ratio between the full spaces, substantially consisting of the top of the blocks, and the empty spaces between the blocks, is comprised between 0.35 and 0.50. Indeed, Applicant has found that an optimum compromise of the resistance of the adhesion of the glue on the blocks is obtained inside the above range, even when the multilayer is bent or stressed. A good compromise is also obtained between the empty spaces interposed between the blocks such as to guarantee both friction of the parts of the body when a person rests on the discontinuous surface, and also prevents parts of the body, for example the fingers, from entering the empty spaces, getting stuck between the blocks, or being pinched following the elastic return of the support layer.

When resting the part of the body to be massaged against the discontinuous surface, and exerting pressure, either continuous or pulsating, against it, the user receives a beneficial toning effect from the blocks.

According to a variant of the invention, between the support layer and the layer of adhesive material an interposition layer is interposed, having a greater deformability than that of the support layer.

In this way, when the user rests a part of his/her body on the device and exerts pressure, the interposition layer deforms, conforming and adapting the blocks to the part of the body that is rested thereon.

According to another feature, the blocks are made of a material chosen from a group comprising wood, plastic materials, metals, minerals.

In one form of embodiment of the invention, each of the blocks is provided with a contact surface having an irregular form, for example knurled, rough, in order to increase the friction stimuli on the part of the body resting thereon.

According to another variant, the layer of adhesive material comprises drowned inside it at least an element to radiate heat and/or light energy, which irradiates heat and/or light energy toward the part of the body resting on the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferential form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a lateral sectioned view of a device for the therapeutic and rehabilitative treatment of parts of the body according to the present invention;

- fig. 2 is a first variant of fig. 1 ; - fig. 3 is a second variant of fig. 1 ;

- fig. 4 is a third variant of fig. 1 ;

- fig. 5 is a fourth variant of fig. 1 ;

- fig. 6 is a perspective view of a variant of fig. 1 ;

- fig. 7 is a perspective view of a variant of fig. 6.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one form of embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other forms of embodiment without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERENTIAL FORMS OF

EMBODIMENT

With reference to fig. 1, a device for the therapeutic and rehabilitative treatment of parts of the body according to the present invention is indicated in its entirety by the reference number 10, and comprises a support layer 1 1, with which a plurality of blocks 13 are associated by means of a layer of glue 12; the blocks 13 define an upper layer 18 having a discontinuous surface 14 on which, during use, a part of the body rests.

The support layer 1 1 is the flexible type so it can be easily rolled up, to allow transport or for particular uses that will be described hereafter.

When subjected to pressure, for example due to the direct or indirect action of the person's weight, the support layer 1 1 is elastically deformed.

The support layer 1 1 is made of flexible materials, advantageously polymeric such as for example rubber, foam rubber, natural rubber latex, compressed sponge, or soundproof insulating materials, and can also comprise reinforcement elements, such as textile fibers that increase their resistance to traction.

The support layer 1 1 has a thickness S comprised between 8 mm and 50 mm, advantageously comprised between 1 mm and 25 mm, and comprises a support surface 15 on which after installation the layer of glue 12 is anchored.

The blocks 13 can have irregular shapes, or regular shapes such as spherical, cylindrical, conical or prismatic, and each of them is provided with at least a contact surface 16 on which, during use, a part of the body rests. The combined contact surfaces 16 of all the blocks 13 define the discontinuous surface 14. The blocks 13 may be made of wood, plastic, metal or mineral materials, such as pebbles, stones, glass or suchlike.

The blocks 13 are distributed equally on the support element 1 1 and separated by empty spaces so that the ratio between empty spaces and full spaces is comprised between 0.35 and 0.50.

In particular the blocks 13 have average section sizes W, comprised between 4 mm and 30 mm, and are distanced from each other by an average distance B, comprised in a range between 0.35 and 0.50 of size W and advantageously comprised between 2 mm and 20 mm.

Moreover, the blocks 13 protrude from the layer of glue 12 to which they are attached, by a height H at least equal to or more than size W.

In the form of embodiment in fig. 1, the blocks 13 consist of mineral bodies or pebbles with an irregular shape (fig. 1) suitably beveled to eliminate sharp edges.

According to another form of embodiment (fig. 2), the blocks, indicated by the reference number 1 13, consist of substantially prismatic tesserae which can be, for example, made of marble, glass, stone or plastic.

In particular, the blocks 1 13 have at least one contact surface 1 16, which during use goes to contact the body, and which have an irregular shape, knurled or rough and suitable to exert on the latter a massaging action.

In another form of embodiment (fig. 3), the blocks, indicated by the reference number 213, consist of substantially cylindrical pins with the upper end beveled.

In another form of embodiment (fig. 4), the blocks are indicated by the reference number 313 and consist of substantially spherical elements, for example made of glass, and suitably equidistant from each other.

The blocks 13, 1 13, 213, 313 are partly drowned in the layer of glue 12 to an average depth P such as to allow them to remain well anchored to the support layer 1 1 even when it is bent following external stresses. The depth P, simply to give an example, is comprised in the range between 2 mm and 10 mm.

The layer of glue 12 is made with a substantially known gluing substance, for example a silicon glue which, when dry, maintains its properties of flexibility and adhesiveness with the blocks 13, 1 13, 213, 313 even if the support layer 1 1 is stressed by external forces.

In some forms of embodiment (fig. 1), the device 10 also comprises a rigid support element, in this case a rigid layer 17 associated with the support layer 1 1 and in contact against a surface opposite the support surface 15 and which, when external forces act upon the blocks 13, functions as a contrast element against the deformation of the support layer 1 1 and the layer of glue 12.

In another form of embodiment (fig. 2) the device 10 also comprises an interposition layer 19, interposed between the support layer 1 1 and the layer of glue 12 and having greater deformability than that of the support layer 1 1.

In particular, when the device 10 is stressed by external forces, the interposition layer 19 deforms, conforming the disposition of the blocks 1 13 to the part of the body which is stressing it, for example at least partly surrounding the sole of the person's foot.

In one form of embodiment it may be provided that the solution is applied to a soft element such as for example a mattress on which a person can lie down and, by moving, obtain the desired beneficial effect.

In another form of embodiment (fig. 5), the layer of glue 12 comprises, drowned therein, radiant elements 20 to transmit a stream of light and/or a uniform thermal current through the whole discontinuous surface 14.

The radiant elements 20 may be an electrical resistance for the production of heat energy, and allow to use the device in the heat-therapeutic field, or luminous radiant elements, for example optic fibers used for chromotherapy purposes.

In this last case, the layer of glue 12 is substantially transparent to allow the luminous radiation to pass.

In some forms of embodiment (figs. 2 to 5), the device 10 can be used disposing it on a relative plane, for example a floor, and given its flexibility, when not being used it can be rolled on itself in order to reduce its bulk.

Instead of comprising a substantially flat rigid layer 17, as in the case shown in fig. 1, the device 10 comprises a support element, in this case a cylindrical body 25 (fig. 6) which, for example, may have a diameter comprised between 10 cm and 50 cm, and a length comprised between 30 cm and 100 cm.

The cylindrical body 25 is made to roll on a flat surface, for example the floor, by the action of a part of the body on the discontinuous surface 14. During this action, the part of the body in contact with the discontinuous surface 14 exerts a pressure upon it and feels the therapeutic effect thereof. In this case too it may be provided that the device 10 is of any size whatsoever, for example from a few tens of centimeters to a few meters.

It is clear that the support element may have any shape whatsoever, for example undulating, spherical, semi-spherical, conical or similar.

In other forms of embodiment of the invention (fig. 7), given the flexibility of the device 10, the support element may be the mobile type or may comprise two rollers 27, distanced from each other, on the external circumference of which the support layer 1 1 is wound.

At least one of the two rollers 27 is governed by a motor 28 with a speed that can be selected by the user and which makes the rollers 27 rotate, drawing with it the support layer 1 1.

When walking on the discontinuous surface, the user obtains the desired therapeutic effect.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the device as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

For example it is possible to provide that the blocks 13, 1 13, 213, 313 have varying average section sizes W, and are disposed in growing order of size along the longitudinal extension of the support layer 1 1, in this way defining zones of the device having differentiated massaging effects.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of device, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

Claims

1. Device for the therapeutic and rehabilitative treatment of parts of the body comprising a multilayer structure defined by a flexible lower support layer (1 1), and an upper layer (18) having a discontinuous surface (14), characterized in that a layer of gluing material (12) of the silicon type is interposed between said support layer (1 1) and said upper layer (18), in which a plurality of blocks (13, 1 13, 213, 313) of said upper layer (18) are partially drowned in said layer of gluing material (12) for a depth (P), and protrude from said layer of gluing material ( 12) for a height (H), the ratio between the depth (P) and the height (H) being comprised between 0.2 and 0.6, and in that said blocks (13, 1 13, 213, 313) are disposed distanced from each other so that the ratio between full and empty spaces of said discontinuous surface (14) is comprised between 0.35 and 0.50.

2. Device as in claim 1, characterized in that an interposition layer (19) having a greater deformability than that of said upper support layer (1 1) is interposed between said support layer (1 1) and said layer of gluing material (12).

3. Device as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said blocks (13, 1 13, 213, 313) are made of a material chosen from a group comprising wood, plastic, metal or mineral materials.

4. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that each of said blocks (13, 1 13) is provided with a contact surface (16) having an irregular shape.

5. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said blocks (13, 1 13, 213, 313) have an average section size (W) comprised between 4 mm and 30 mm.

6. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said layer of gluing material (12) comprises, drowned therein, at least a radiant element (20) of thermal and/or light energy.

7. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises a support element (17; 25; 27) associated with said support layer (1 1) on the side opposite that of said upper layer (18).

8. Device as in claim 7, characterized in that said support element is of the mobile type and comprises at least two rollers (27) between which said support layer ( 1 1 ) is able to be disposed in order to make it able to slide between them by means of motor members (28) associated with at least one of said two rollers (27).