Description

Compression Body Stimulator.

The present invention is related to the technical segments of rubber and synthetics for human necessities. For technical purposes, the everyday act of compression on the body is done by elastic fabrics, by means of socks and elastic belts.

The invention objective is a dynamic system that allows a constant compression variation, besides sequential and directional compressing movements around and along the treated part, focusing at a better result and wellbeing to the user. All the parts of the body which are exposed to its application are constantly compressed and stimulated (circulation, muscles and nerves) full time.

The invention is characterized by stimulators to be worn or attached to the people's body. These parts are made of elastic materials, with closed double walls, making compression chambers (4), and filled up with gas or liquid, make compression on the part of the body which it will be applied on. For everyday use, and when worn on the feet or on the legs are felt like a second pair of socks. The compression body stimulator has three basic variations:

1 - With one compression chamber or several chambers with inter- communication among each other - full, empty and independent pressure control

(Fig. 01). A dynamic effect can be made on the part of the body where it is being worn, since the compression chamber is filled up and emptied regularly, and/or has its pressure changed.

2 - With sequential compression chambers and different pressure - Figures 02, 04, 08, 13 and 14, with divisions inside the double walls, making compression chambers. This system permits the operation to maintain itself static with varied pressure in a sequential manner, or dynamic with filling up and emptying operations performed rhythmal and constantly, compressing and stimulating the areas where the compression body stimulator is set. The mechanical control can be done in two ways:

- With pressure and return valves - Figures 22 to 28 - valves set on the exit of each compression chamber (4). With safety valve function, they are sequentially connected to the following compression chambers, limiting the

passage of the exceeding pressure. Each subsequent valve is limited by a lower pressure level than the prior level, and so forth. Filling up and emptying is done in the same compression chamber, which is considered the first (in case of the drawings, the first chamber with higher pressure is on the foot, or in case of being the leg only, the chamber next to the foot). When the first chamber is emptied, the return valves (18) open and the air returns emptying the system. - With low pressure valves: - Figures 15 to 18 - The low pressure valve sets the pressure limit on the entrance of each compression chamber. After the first chamber, where connected to the second one, a low-pressure valve is set, and so forth up to the entrance for the last compression chamber. Each low pressure valve will reduce the pressure in relation to the prior chamber. When the first chamber is filled up, in case of the examples on the drawings, the foot will be filling before the leg. Emptying is done in the last filled up chamber.

3 - With intercommunication speed reduction holes on the compression chambers - Fig. 10 - for sequential, fast and vigorous compressions, or even the opposite, to maintain the pressure static along the piece. System adequate to fixed spots. Pumps or compressors inject on the first compression chamber a preestablished amount of gas (air) or liquid (water) and the holes limit the air/water speed for each subsequent chamber; but as every chamber is being inflated and moving on to the next one, sequential/even movements are generated towards the last chamber, where a hole or a valve will release gas or liquid to the outside and/or to a container, according to the set, preparing a new cycle process. The diameter and the number of the intercommunication speed reduction holes should be dimensioned according to the desired activity Fig. 11 and 12.

All the control can be done in three ways:

1 - Manual: even having multiple chambers and using the valves from pages 6 and 7 from the Figures or others with the same function, monitor and all operation can be done manually. Insufflation pump (manual) or spray-type compressor, or yet, electrical pumps or compressors, can be easily operated manually. The operations for synchronized filling up and emptying only require attention and simple valves.

2 - Electro-mechanical control: with automated and programming control, with pumps or electrical compressors, timers, sensors and valves available in the market.

3 - Electro-electronical control: using any items of both controlling ways above, and chips and programmable electronical equipment. In every situation, the most efficient ways are the previously programmed electro-electronical for every need. There is a Jot of equipment that can be used. For example, a complete set of equipment that only requires a change on the rhythm regulation program and pressure limit, it is the one used to monitor blood pressure. Just like this, there are others easily adaptable.

Pieces of equipment with portable electro-mechanical or electro- electronical controls, can be worn next to any part of the body, for example, on the leg, ankle or waist. When remaining in a stable position, such as working, traveling, resting or lying down, the equipment can be plugged into electricity, in order to recharge the batteries.

The stimulators are to be put on over the clothing, not directly on the body skin, unless the wall is treated in order to permit direct contact with the skin.

Drawings with examples and some variations: every drawing is concentrated on representing the invention to be worn on the foot and on the leg, but in any variation, it is applicable to any part of the body, isolated or in group, even on the fingers. All is adaptable to animals, as well. All drawings were made with socket-base valves, controls and fittings, allowing varied configurations and regulations assemblies - the set can be manufactured integrally. Any detail can be used in any variation. Examples of fixtures to be set on the socket-base or to be fit are at page 6 and 7, which can be substituted for others already existent.

Fig. 01 - Compression body stimulator provided with one compression chamber (foot and ankle). It can be used the valve from Fig. 21 or 19,

Fig. 02 - Stimulator with several compression chambers, stocking-type for the ankle and calf. Any kind of zip (thread, Velcro) can be used to tight. Fig. 03 - Cut on the piece in Fig. 01 , showing the active and external walls, besides the compression chamber closure. It is suggested that on the support for the foot both walls have some joining spots (to avoid sliding and make it easy to put it on).

Fig. 04 - Compression body stimulator that involves the foot and all the leg, with several compression chambers and a socket-base for the valves.

Fig. 05 - Expansion of the socket-base for low-pressure valve.

Fig. 06 - Expansion of the compression chamber dividing wall, with holes for the body perspiring (3).

Fig. 07 - Expansion of a socket-base for filling, emptying and coupling valve.

Fig. 08 - Representing the compression body stimulator as a belt with multiple chambers, that can be used isolated or coupled, as it has socket-base for pressure/return valves.

Fig. 09 - Expanded cut on the belt in Fig. 08.

Fig. 10 - Representing the compression stimulator belt-type provided with chambers, to be filled up sequentially, which active and external walls are welded, but there are intercommunication speed reduction holes. Weld is done in such a way to modify the external wall.

Fig. 11 - Expansion of the cut on the weld spot between the chambers in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 - Expansion of external weld spot wall among the belt chambers Fig. 10. Fig. 13 - Piece with compression chamber for the foot, with an attached belt stimulator provided with compression chambers for all the leg. Provided with internal return and pressure-valves in the compression chamber divider.

Fig. 14 - A belt compression stimulator for ankle and calf, with a socket- base for low-pressure valve. Fig. 15 - Expansion of a low-pressure valve.

Fig. 16 - Cut of the low-pressure valve in Fig. 15 in open position. The pressure control is done by the membrane resistance with round wrinkles.

Fig. 17 - Exploded low pressure valve in Fig. 15 and 16.

Fig. 18 - Low-pressure valve cut, where the control is done based on the membrane elasticity. It is in open position. The set is thicker than the previous one.

Fig. 19 - Expanded example of the filling valve. The tube with side holes is inserted in the elastic tube of its counterpart, which goes in the socket base (5) (valve very used for bicycles).

Fig. 20 - Expanded example of a tube and/or valve that allows the coupling with other tube or valve installed in other piece with compression chamber, always through flexible pipes. Its installing is done in a similar counterpart. Similar to Fig. 19.

Fig. 21 - Expanded example of filling valve and/or emptying valve of elastic chambers. It has an internal membrane and a cover (very used in inflatable toys).

Fig. 22 - Expanded return and pressure-valves. It is composed of a rigid tube (16) with side holes fit inside an elastic tube (17) socket base. During filling process this valve works In the same system as security valves, with the elastic tube resistance of each chamber exit defining pressure. The return valve (18) is in the saddle (19) not allowing the air return with lower pressure.

Fig. 23 - The same valve of Fig. 22 from another angle and with the return valve (18) allowing the emptying of the compression chamber

Fig. 24 and 25 - The same valve of Fig. 22 and 23, exploded.

Fig. 26 and 27 - Expanded return and pressure valve, with a return valve (18) separated from the pressure valve (it is in emptying position). It is of the same chamber elastic material. The filling control is done by the resistance offered by the slit of the nozzle. The nozzle can be substituted for any security valve model that can be found in the state of the technique.

Fig. 28 - Exploded valves of Fig. 26 and 27. Details of the Figures examples:

1 - Active wall, of plastic material. When the compression chamber is filled, it pressures upon the part of the body where it is applied according to pressure and to injected gas or liquid flow.

2 - External wall. Flexible, but with little elasticity. It can be of the same material of the active wall, but it should get an expansion limit cover. The added cover, flexible but with little or any elasticity could be fixed directly on the external wall, or placed as shoes, socks, gloves, belts or bands. It has the function to limit the expansion of this external wall and allow that the active wall (1)

makes the right compression in the part of the body where it is applied. Those limit covers can be closed or open and with any kind of closing

3 - Closing or dividers among compression chambers - by wall and/or direct welding between the active wall (1) and the external wall (2). In case of any dent in the moment of usage that harms the contact of the uniform with the body, it is advisable to add some material (as rubber or silicon). Optionally, the walls or the welding among the compression chambers could have holes for transpiration of the body (8 and Fig. 06).

4 - Compression chamber. 5 - Socket base for filling, emptying or coupling valve.

6 - Socket base for enclosure, pressure and return, or low-pressure valve.

7 - Intercommunication speed reduction hole (one or several).

8 - Leveler side of compression body stimulator in belt, that in use will be wrapped by the compression chamber belt. It can be provided with holes for perspiring. This side can be separated. The parts containing the compression chambers should be together.

9 - Straw and/or grooving to facilitate gas or liquid flow (it can be used in all situations).

10 - Regulator chamber pressure membrane. 11 - Lid

12 - Base that drives the movement of the valves by the regulator membrane.

13 - Saddle of the valves and divider of the pressure among the chambers.

14 - Gas flow (air) control valves, driven by the regulator membrane.

15 - Frame of the low-pressure valve. 16- Rigid tube of return and pressure valve, with side holes, enclosed in the flexible tube of the socket base (17).

17 - Pressure and return valve's elastic and flexible tube. This tube is the socket base itself (6) since it integrates the compression chamber (4) in its divider (its resistance around the rigid tube will define the compression chamber compression). The factors that influence are the control of pressure, the elasticity/resistance of the elastic tube, the contact area with the rigid tube (16) and the final pressure of the following chamber compression.

18 - Controlling air return valve. When it is filling it is pressed against its saddle (19), and when it is emptying the previous chamber that maintains it, it projects on the gasket (20), allowing the air return and emptying the compression chamber. 19 - Air return control valve coupling (18).

20 - Return valve gasket (18).

21 - Nozzle resistant to the air passage through the hole on its edge.

Pondering all costs involved and the cost to the consumer, the invention was accomplished previewing the following variables:

1 - disposable parts after some time of using - elastic part for the compression body stimulator, with all the wails made of the same material, as rubber, silicon or synthetic. Therefore, when using should have expansion limiting covers (2). This part of the set, isolated and yet, in the package, looks like a rubber balloon.

2 - long-life fixtures to be inserted directly on the disposable parts - valves, pipes, fittings as well as the external wall expansion limiting covers (2), such as shoes, socks or gloves with little or not any elasticity, stockings, belts and bands. Socks, t-shirts or gloves to be worn directly on the body skin are the conventional ones.

3 - equipment - electro-electronical equipment, pumps, compressors, timer and fixtures.

Safety valves are recommended if temperature increases there should be pressure increase (the choice possibilities for some models are limited). The exampled pieces are to be considered as an illustration and not restriction, as the proposed invention allows illimited variations and is destined to any part of the human and animal body.