U.S. patent application number 11/753562 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-27 for therapeutic compression belt.
Invention is credited to Stephen D. Lee.
Application Number | 20080289623 11/753562 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40071243 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080289623 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Stephen D. |
November 27, 2008 |
THERAPEUTIC COMPRESSION BELT
Abstract
A therapeutic compression belt for alleviating menstrual cramps.
In one embodiment the therapeutic compression belt includes a belt,
a belt buckle, a left pad and a right pad, and a means to swivel
the left pad and a means to swivel the right pad.
Inventors: |
Lee; Stephen D.; (Sarasota,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOOD AND EISENBERG, PLLC
6911 RICHMOND HIGHWAY, SUITE 403
Alexandria
VA
22306
US
|
Family ID: |
40071243 |
Appl. No.: |
11/753562 |
Filed: |
May 24, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
128/96.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 5/0193 20130101;
A61F 5/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
128/96.1 |
International
Class: |
A61F 5/24 20060101
A61F005/24 |
Claims
1. A therapeutic compression belt for alleviating menstrual cramps
comprising: a belt, said belt having a first opposite end, a second
opposite end, an interior side, an exterior side, wherein when said
belt is buckled up said belt defines a left belt portion and a
right belt portion wherein said left portion includes said first
and second opposite ends of said belt; a belt buckle, said belt
buckle is attachable to both ends of said belt, said belt buckle
having a means to adjust the tension of said belt; a belt
holding-bracket having a through bore, wherein said right portion
of said belt fits through said through bore; a left pad and a right
pad, wherein said left and right pads are respectively attached to
the left and right portions of said belt; and a means to swivel
said left pad and a means to swivel said right pad.
2. The therapeutic compression belt according to claim 1, wherein
said belt buckle comprises a push-button belt release.
3. The therapeutic compression belt according to claim 1, wherein
said means to swivel said left pad and said means to swivel said
right pad respectively comprise a left swivel (220) and a right
swivel (240).
4. The therapeutic compression belt according to claim 1, wherein
said means to swivel said left pad and said means to swivel said
right pad respectively comprise a left swivel (220) and a right
swivel (240).
5. The therapeutic compression belt according to claim 1, wherein
said means to swivel said left pad comprises a primary left
swivel-bracket and a secondary left swivel-bracket, and wherein
said means to swivel said right pad comprises a primary right
swivel-bracket and a secondary right swivel-bracket.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to therapeutic belts. More
specifically, the invention is a compression belt designed to
alleviate menstrual cramps.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Menstrual cramps are abdominal and pelvic area (belly) pains
that are often experienced by women around the time of their
menstrual period. More specifically, menstrual cramps typically
occur on the first or second day of the menstrual cycle. These are
caused contractions of the uterus as it expels unneeded contents,
and also by the passage of clotted blood through the cervix.
Ibuprofen or other pain relievers can reduce the severity of
cramps. However, some women can't always take chemical medications
and medicinal drugs such as Ibuprofen can have undesirable side
effects. Thus, there is a need for a device that offers a way of
relieving or alleviating the symptoms of menstrual cramps that does
not involve taking medicinal drugs.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,783,506, issued Aug. 31, 2004 to Seering et
al., describes a trochanter belt for the stabilization of the hips.
The trochanter belt has an elastic front portion comprised of a
soft inner surface that conforms to the body of the wearer. Right
and left elastic side portions connect to the right and left sides
of the inelastic front portion. The right and left elastic portions
connect to the right and left side of the inelastic back portion to
create a continuous band of support that does not require
disassembly to remove. Right and left adjustable straps are
attached to the continuous belt on the right and left sides,
respectively.
[0006] U.S. Patent Publication No. 20060254598, published Nov. 16,
2006 to Saul, describes a belt to protect Cesarean incisions
against kicking from infants, e.g. when breastfeeding or from
accidental banging. By inserting warming and cooling cushions,
therapeutic effects can also be achieved. The belt contains a
pocket into which inserts with different functions can be placed
depending upon the application. A plastic shell can be used to
protect from kicking and other kinds of impact, and a polyester
cushion if further absorption is required. In order to soothe
uterus cramps and promote healing, a cherry stone cushion can be
warmed and used and a gel cushion is recommended for cooling
possibly, swollen, inflamed or itching scars.
[0007] U.S. Patent Publication No. 20050251075, published Nov. 10,
2005 to Smith, describes devices that reduce pain associated with
menstruation and other conditions and that operate by pressing upon
the sacral/parasacral regions of a woman's lower back. In preferred
embodiments a tensioning apparatus applies pressure onto a
generally flat part that distributes force into the sacral and
parasacral regions but avoids the lumbar region. The devices may
assume a variety of forms such as belts, straps and foundation
garments that can exert high pressures that can exceed 100
torr.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,367, issued Jun. 2, 1998 to Lopez et
al., describes a lumbar protector that can be used to alleviate
menstrual cramp and pain. Underpants are incorporated into the
protector garment, yielding a single article of clothing providing
protection, and which is also hypoallergenic. The lumbar protector
has either natural colors of the fiber, or colors from treatment
with natural dyes.
[0009] Also, the U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,367 patent describes a
protector device that can be used to alleviate menstrual cramp and
pain. Underpants are incorporated into the protector garment,
yielding a single article of clothing providing protection, and
which is also hypoallergenic.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] A therapeutic compression belt for alleviating menstrual
cramps. In one embodiment the therapeutic compression belt includes
a belt, a belt buckle, a left pad and a right pad, and a means to
swivel the left pad and a means to swivel the right pad.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1A is a perspective environmental view of a therapeutic
compression belt according to the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 1B is a further perspective environmental view of the
therapeutic compression belt of FIG. 1A.
[0013] FIG. 2A shows a left perspective view of a therapeutic
compression belt according to the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2B shows a right perspective view of a therapeutic
compression belt according to the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the left part of the
therapeutic compression belt of FIG. 1A (belt not shown).
[0016] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the right part of the
therapeutic compression belt of FIG. 1A (belt not shown).
[0017] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a right pad according to
the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 shows a partially cut-away top view of the
therapeutic compression belt of FIG. 1A.
[0019] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the left part of the
therapeutic compression belt of FIG. 1A (belt not shown) and more
specifically shows how the left pad can be rotated with respect to
a belt buckle.
[0020] FIG. 8A shows an exploded view of the left part of the
therapeutic compression belt of FIG. 1A (belt not shown).
[0021] FIG. 8B shows a further exploded view of the left part of
the therapeutic compression belt of FIG. 1A (belt not shown).
[0022] FIGS. 9A and 9B respectively show side views of a left
secondary swivel bracket and a right secondary swivel bracket.
[0023] FIG. 10A shows an exploded view of the right part of the
therapeutic compression belt of FIG. 1A (belt not shown).
[0024] FIG. 10B shows a further exploded view of the right part of
the therapeutic compression belt of FIG. 1A (belt not shown).
[0025] FIG. 11 shows a view of a primary left swivel-bracket
according to the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 12 shows a view of a primary right swivel-bracket
according to the present invention.
[0027] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] The present invention is directed to a therapeutic
compression belt. The therapeutic compression belt of the present
invention is denoted generally by the numeric label "100".
[0029] The therapeutic compression belt 100 is used to provide
controlled compression on the left and right of a female user's
pelvic area. The therapeutic compression belt 100 alleviates
discomfort caused by menstrual cramps that sometimes occur in women
during menstrual periods.
[0030] Referring to the FIGURES in general, the therapeutic
compression belt 100 for alleviating menstrual cramps comprises a
belt 120, a belt buckle 140, a belt holding-bracket 160, a left pad
180, a right pad 200, a left swivel 220, and a right swivel
240.
[0031] Still referring to the Figures in general, the belt 120
defines first 260 and second 280 opposite ends, an interior side
300, and an exterior side 320. During actual use, the therapeutic
compression belt 100 belt defines a left portion 340 and a right
portion 360 (see FIG. 1A). The left portion 340 includes the belt
buckle 140, first 260 and second 280 opposite ends of the belt 120,
left swivel 220 and left pad 180 (see, e.g., FIGS. 1B, 2B and 6).
The right portion 360 includes the right pad 200, right swivel 240,
and belt holding-bracket 160 (see, e.g., (see, e.g., FIGS. 1B, 2B
and 6). It will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the
art that that the therapeutic compression belt 100 can be worn in
reverse or in any manner desired by the user, and the use of such
terms as "left" and "right" are merely used for illustrative
purposes and are not intended to limit the present invention in any
way.
[0032] The belt buckle 140 has an exterior side 380, an interior
side 400 (shown in FIG. 8B), a first end 420 and a second end 440.
The belt buckle 140 is attached to the first opposite end 260
(shown in FIG. 6) of belt 120. The belt buckle 140 is reversibly
attached to the other opposite end 280 of the belt 120 (see, e.g.,
FIG. 6). It will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the
art that the term "reversibly attached" merely means a user U can
release at least one end of the belt 120 from the buckle 140 to
allow the user U to remove the belt 120, and hence remove device
100, from the user's body. Hence, the belt buckle 140 is attachable
to both ends of the belt 120 such that at least one end of the belt
120 is reversibly attached and the other end can be permanently or
reversibly attached according to the particular fashion or style of
the buckle 140. The buckle 140 is adapted to controllably vary the
tension of the belt 120 about a user's pelvic region to enable the
user to wear device 100 in some measure of comfort.
[0033] While FIG. 6 shows the first end 420 of the belt buckle 140
attached to the first opposite end 260 of the belt 120, this
arrangement can vary since any suitable style of belt 120 and/or
buckle 140 can be used in the device 100. More specifically, the
belt buckle 140 is not limited to a particular type of belt buckle
and can be any suitable type of belt buckle such as, but not
limited to, the belt buckle described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,170
issued Nov. 24, 1998 to Cho; U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,170 issued Nov.
24, 1998 to Cho is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety. The belt buckle 120 can include an optional push-button
belt release 460 and a ratchet wheel mechanism 480.
[0034] The belt holding-bracket 160 defines a through-bore 500
(shown in FIG. 4), the through-bore 500 having opposite open ends
520 and 540 (shown in FIG. 6), the through-bore 500 having
sufficient dimensions to accommodate the belt 120 such that a right
belt portion 360 fits through the through-bore 500. The belt
holding-bracket 160 having an exterior side 560 and an interior
side 580.
[0035] During normal use the left 180 and right 200 pads are used
to provide an inward compression force to the pelvic area of a
female wearer (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). The left pad 180 has an
interior side 600 and an exterior side 620. The right pad 200 has
an interior side 640 and an exterior side 660. It should be noted
that the exterior sides 620 and 660 are respectively those sides of
the left 180 and right 200 pads that make direct contact with the
left and right of a female user's pelvic area.
[0036] The left swivel 220 includes a primary left swivel-bracket
680 and a secondary left swivel-bracket 700--see, e.g., FIGS. 8A
and 8B. During normal operation of device 100, the primary and
secondary left swivel-brackets 680 and 700 allow a user to rotate
the left pad 180 about a vertical plane (see FIG. 7). The primary
left swivel-bracket 680 includes first and second opposite sides
740 and 760. The second opposite side 760 of the primary left
swivel bracket 680 is attached to the interior side 600 of the left
pad 180. The primary left swivel-bracket 680 includes an aperture
590 that leads to a recess 592 (shown in cross-section in FIG.
6).
[0037] The secondary left swivel-bracket 700 is at least partly
sandwiched between the primary left swivel-bracket 680 and the belt
buckle 140. The secondary left swivel bracket 700 includes first
and second opposite sides 720 and 730. The second opposite side 730
of the secondary left swivel bracket 700 is affixed to the interior
side 400 of the belt buckle 140.
[0038] The left secondary swivel bracket 700 includes a first
section 780, a second section 800, and a connecting neck 820 (see
FIG. 9A). The connecting neck 820 is located between first and
second sections 780 and 800, respectively. The sections 780 and 800
define diameters D.sub.1 and D.sub.4, respectively. Connecting neck
820 defines diameter D.sub.2 and length D.sub.3. Diameter D.sub.2
is less than diameter D.sub.5 (i.e., less than the diameter of
aperture 590--see FIG. 11). Diameters D.sub.1 and D.sub.4 can be
equal or dissimilar in value. Each of D.sub.1 and D.sub.4 should be
greater than aperture diameter D.sub.5.
[0039] It should be understood that section 780 and/or section 800
can have any suitable shape and is not limited to the generally
circular planar shape shown, for example, in FIGS. 8A, 8B and 9.
For example, the first section 780 can have any suitable shape such
as, but not limited to, an overall globular shape, an irregular
polygonal shape or a regular polygonal shape such as a hexangular,
octagonal, square, or rectangular three-dimensional shape.
[0040] The recess 592 (see FIG. 6) in the primary left swivel
bracket 680 is shaped to accommodate the overall shape of the first
section 780 of the secondary left swivel-bracket 700. The first
section 780 can rotate inside recess 592. The overall shape of
recess 592 can be a generally circular planar three-dimensional
shape or can be any suitable three-dimensional shape so long as the
overall shape of recess 592 accommodates the overall
three-dimensional shape of first section 780 of secondary left
swivel-bracket 700.
[0041] The right swivel 240 includes a primary right swivel-bracket
900 and a secondary right swivel-bracket 920--see, e.g., FIGS. 10A
and 10B. During normal operation of device 100, the primary and
secondary right swivel-brackets 900 and 920 allow a user to rotate
the right pad 200 about a vertical plane. The primary right
swivel-bracket 900 defines first and second opposite sides 940 and
960. The second opposite side 960 of the primary right swivel
bracket 900 is attached to the interior side 640 of the right pad
200. The primary right swivel-bracket 900 includes an aperture 690;
the aperture 690 leads to a recess 692 (shown in cross-section in
FIG. 6).
[0042] The secondary right swivel-bracket 920 is at least partly
sandwiched between the primary right swivel-bracket 900 and the
belt holding-bracket 160. The secondary right swivel bracket 920
includes first and second opposite sides 980 and 1000. The second
opposite side 1000 of the secondary right swivel bracket 920 is
affixed to the interior side 580 of the belt holding-bracket
160.
[0043] The right secondary swivel bracket 920 includes a first
section 1020, a second section 1040, and a connecting neck 1060
(see FIG. 9B). The connecting neck 1060 is located between first
and second sections 1020 and 1040, respectively. The sections 1020
and 1040 define diameters D.sub.10 and D.sub.11, respectively.
Connecting neck 1060 defines diameter D.sub.12 and length D.sub.13.
Diameter D.sub.12 is less than diameter D.sub.15 (i.e., less than
the diameter of aperture 690--see FIG. 12). Diameters D.sub.10 and
D.sub.11 can be equal or dissimilar in value. Each of D.sub.10 and
D.sub.11 should be greater than aperture diameter D.sub.15.
[0044] It should be understood section 1020 and/or section 1040 can
have any suitable shape and is not limited to a generally circular
planar shape shown, for example, in FIG. 9B. For example, the first
section 1020 can have any suitable shape such as, but not limited
to, an overall globular shape, an irregular polygonal shape or a
regular polygonal shape such as a hexangular, octagonal, square, or
rectangular three-dimensional shape.
[0045] The recess 692 in the primary right swivel bracket 900 is
shaped to accommodate the overall shape of the first section 1020
of the secondary right swivel-bracket 920. The first section 1020
can rotate inside recess 692. The overall shape of recess 692 can
be a generally circular planar three-dimensional shape or any
suitable three-dimensional shape so long as the overall shape
accommodates the overall three-dimensional shape of first section
1020 of secondary right swivel-bracket 920.
[0046] The left and right swivel mechanisms 220 and 240
respectively allow the left and right pads 180 and 200 to be
rotated in the vertical plane. More specifically, the primary left
swivel bracket 680 and the left pad 180 rotate in unison in the
vertical plane while the left secondary swivel bracket 700 does not
rotate since it is fixed to interior side 400 of buckle 140. In one
embodiment, the left and right swivel mechanisms 220 and 240 allow
the left and right pads 180 and 200, respectively, to swivel, at
least to a limited degree, in the horizontal plane.
[0047] It should be further understood that all U.S. patents
mentioned above are incorporated by reference herein in their
entirety.
[0048] It should be further understood that the present invention
is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses
any and all embodiments within the scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *