Background of the Invention The use of permanent or static magnets for medicinal purposes has been practiced for many years. In recent years however, magnet therapy has become more wide spread and popular. Magnet therapy is, most recently, being used in veterinary and athletic applications.

Magnet therapy generally involves exposing a desired treatment area to a magnetic field emanating from a permanent magnet. While various theories exist as to how magnetic fields affect animal tissue there is general agreement amongst those who use magnet therapy that it can reduce pain, increase circulation, and induce heal- ing.

In practice there are various ways to expose the desired treatment area to a magnetic field. For example, others have provided various commercially available products having magnets embedded therein in fixed locations, such as foam pillows, foam mattresses and chair-back liners. When a user lies on either the mattress or pillow, or sits on the chair-liner, various

portions of their body are exposed to magnetic fields generated by the fixed, embedded magnets.

However, a more commonly used method of supplying a magnetic field to a desired area of the body is to secure one or more magnets to an afflicted body portion so that the magnet (s) can be close to the tissue of interest. One advantage of this technique is that it provides the user/patient with mobility during treatment.

This approach also permits the use of weaker magnets, if desired, due to the ability to have the magnets closer to the tissue than magnets embedded in a pad.

Prior to the present invention, the only available means for securing the magnets to the body portions were tape, wraps and prefabricated magnet holders with embedded magnets.

A problem with using tape is that tape is not reusable and, normally, new tape must be employed with each use. Also tape has the disadvantage of accumulating adhesive onto both the magnets and the body of the user.

Removal of adhesive tape carries with it a well known discomfort particularly on hair covered body portions.

Also, most cloth-based tape is not very elastic and can become too tight as the wearer moves, if the tape circumnavigates a body portion.

Wraps conventionally employed are either of the elongate bandage type which can be repetitively wrapped around a body portion, or of the preformed type generally tubular in shape and sized to particular limb dimensions.

Whether these wraps are elastic or not, they avoid some disadvantages of tape; but, are deficient in that they merely use contact pressure between the wrap and the body portion in order to secure magnets at or near a desired

treatment area. In other words, the magnet or magnets are merely wedged or squeezed between the wrap and the body portion or between successive wraps of an elongate wrap type. When a user/patient moves about, the magnets can shift position. This requires constant readjustment of the magnets to a proper position. This is particularly true when wraps are used to secure magnets to limbs, which flex and move extensively. This phenomenon is most problematic in veterinary use when the patient/user cannot reposition its own magnets.

Prefabricated magnet holders serve to keep magnets from shifting relative to the magnet holder itself, and to some extent with respect to the desired treatment area, because the magnets are permanently embedded or fixed in the magnet holder. However, for a number of reasons these prefabricated magnet holders are deficient. For example, many believe that it is advantageous to use magnets of different size, shape and gauss values (of magnetic field strength) depending on the type of affliction and the location of the afflicted body portion. Thus, the prefabricated magnet holders suffer the defect that they do not allow the user to substitute magnets of differing size, shape, location, or gauss value, without buying a wholly different magnet holder, if available. Also, magnets are expensive, especially magnets of the flexible type with magnetic fields designed for magnet therapy. Thus, it would be advantageous to be able to use a single set of magnets in many different configurations as desired. For example, it would be useful to choose a magnet or magnets depending on the type of affliction, the time required for treatment, the time available for treatment, the body

portion, and the patient type. Conventional prefabricated magnet holders do not contemplate or accomplish this goal, or at least do not permit the end user to choose options based on the circumstances.

Another problem also exists with prefabricated magnet holders in that, after some use, when the prefabricated magnet holders become soiled there is a danger of damaging the embedded magnets if machine washing or drying is attempted. This is particularly undesirable with magnet holders used for animals, such as horses, where such magnet holders will be exposed to conditions which are more likely to cause the magnet holder to become objectionably soiled. Examples of prefabricated magnet holders with the above deficiencies are those marketed by Norfields of Los Angeles, California.

The norfields magnet holders are designed for equine use and suffer yet another particular deficiency.

The norfields magnet holders are comprised of a multi- fabric web having magnets embedded therebetween. The web is constructed in such a way and of such materials as to be sufficiently rigid to prevent entire portions of the web carrying a magnet from directly contacting the area of desired treatment. Because magnetic fields weaken with distance from the magnet, the magnetic field emanating from the magnets held more distant from the tissue of interest by these norfields webs are less effective. The inflexibility of the norfields web construction also causes restricted flexibility of limbs when secured thereto, in particular when secured to the hock or knee joints of a horse.

Finally, the prefabricated magnet holders, such as the norfields holders, do not let the individual user/patient or therapist choose where the magnet will be placed relative to the therapeutic goal. The therapist or patient/user is left with the choice of the manufacture as to where the magnets should be placed and gauss value and field design of the magnets for a particular affliction.

The present invention is provided to solve these and other problems and to obtain, in apparatus and by method of practice, many other advantages not contemplated by the prior art.

Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention an improved magnet holder for use in magnet therapy is provided. The magnet holder includes a reusable web adapted to conform to a desired body portion, and means for the user/patient to removably secure magnets to the web.

According to other aspects of the invention, the web has sufficient flexibility so as to permit at least a portion of the locations of the web carrying a magnet to be in direct contact with the body of the wearer. The web is also constructed so as to be machine washable when the magnets are removed.

A preferred means for removably securing magnets to the web are pockets formed on the web. The pockets can be dimensioned sufficient to hold magnets of various sizes and shapes in sufficient proximity to the desired area of treatment so as to accomplish therapy.

To accommodate more flexibility in treatment options, the magnet holder of the present invention

provides in an alternate embodiment wherein the means for removably securing the at least one magnet to a desired location on the web includes means for providing a plurality of optional desired locations on the web so as to align magnets with a plurality of optionally desired treatment areas. This can be accomplished by placing a plurality of individual pockets on the web at various points which one can choose to place magnets.

In one embodiment for use with extremely articulated joints, such as the human knee and elbow, or the rear knee joint of a four legged animals (e. g. the hock region of a horse) the web is constructed to have a first web portion and a second web portion. A means for joining the first and second web portions in a spaced relation to each other is provided with an opening to accommodate extension of a body joint (such as a knee joint) therethrough. Preferably, the means for joining the first and second portions include at least two elastic bands spaced from each other at a distance to provide a sufficient opening to accommodate extension of a body joint therethrough.

With the apparatus of the present invention, the following novel methods of therapy may be employed.

In summary, a method of magnetic therapy may be employed wherein an individual therapist/patient can optionally define a desired treatment area in a body portion and then determine desired points in or near the treatment area where magnets should be employed. Then the therapist can use a magnet holder pursuant to the invention and optionally secure one or more magnets at desired points. The process may include: diagnosing a particular ailment; selecting a size, shape, thickness,

gauss value, number of, location of magnets, to place in the magnet holder.

According to a specific aspect of the invention, the means for securing permits locating magnets at accupressure points of the patient rather than a particular afflicted area. The accupressure points are chosen by their affect on the patient as a whole as well as their affect on healing. For example, placing a magnetic field near selected accupressure points (even if the point is somewhat distant from the afflicted tissue) is believed to better relieve pain so as to reduce discomfort of the wearer.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawing.

Brief Description of the Drawinqs Fig. 1 is a plan view of an inner side of a magnet holder for use on a hock of a horse; and, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a tubular web having pockets for securing magnets to the web.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 discloses a prefabricated magnet holder 10 adapted for use on the hock area of a horse. The magnet holder 10 includes a

web 12 having a first web portion 14 and a second web portion 16. Elastic bands 18 and 20 join the first and second web portions 14,16 in a spaced relation to each other. The elastic bands 18,20 are also spaced from each other sufficient to provide an opening 22 to accommodate extension of the joint therethrough. The web and elastic bands having sufficient flexibility to conform to the hock portion of the leg so as to permit any portions of the web 12 carrying a magnet to be in substantially direct contact with the limb of the animal.

Pockets 24 provide a means for securing magnets to a plurality of optional desired locations on the web 12 so as to align magnets with optionally desired treat- ment areas or so as to present varied configurations of magnets and associated fields to achieve a desired affect. Each pocket 24 is formed by stitching around the edges of a cloth swatch sized as desired. A portion of the swatch is not stitched so as leave an opening (not shown) preferably facing upward when in use. A flap 26 extends from the opening of each pocket 24 and can be optionally tucked inside once a magnet is inserted into a pocket 24, left outside to cover the opening.

Three elastic straps 28 are provided to secure the magnet holder 10 to the hock after the web 12 has been properly wrapped around the hock and positioned.

One end of the straps 18 are permanently stitched to the first web portion 14. Free ends of the elastic straps 28 (not shown) have a portion with fabric loops which engage along a strip of fabric hooks 30 (shown in phantom) on the outer side of the second web portion 16.

Preferably web 12 is constructed of two layers of cotton flannel with a light cushioning material

sandwiched therebetween. The two layers are preferably stitched with spaced repetitive seams so as to achieve a quilted construction. This construction and the materials used for the web 12, the elastic bands 18,20, and 28, and the pockets 24, are conveniently machine washable, enhancing the reusable nature of the magnet holder.

Fig. 2 discloses a magnet holder 34 for use on treatment areas, such as a human arm or leg. The magnet holder 34 is in the form of an elastic tubular web 38 into which a limb can be inserted. Pockets 36 are sewn onto the web 38 in the same manner as the pockets 24 of magnet holder 10. The elastic web 38 and the pockets are constructed of machine washable materials and is sufficiently flexible to permit portions of the web 38 carrying a magnet to be in direct contact with the body of the wearer. This construction well facilitates reusability and effectiveness.

The pockets 24 and 36 of the magnet holders 10 and 34 are shown in various sizes, locations and configurations not necessarily to show a preferred number, size, or configuration of magnets for treating a hock or an elbow, but to disclose the flexibility of treatment regimes provided by the designs. There is also illustrated by the variations, a great deal of flexibility provided to a manufacturer in the various ways to form the pockets 24 and 36. In practice, others may desire to have more or fewer pockets, or differing size and location of pockets. The pockets 24,36 preferably should be sized to accommodate a range of magnet sizes and shapes which will fit into the pocket.

It should also be understood that a key aspect of the invention is the ability to removably secure magnets to a magnet holder, such as magnet holders 10 and 34. It is another key aspect the means for securing a magnet can be provided so that the position of attachment can be varied. Thus, means other than the pockets 24 or 36 can assist in these aspects. For example, the inner surface of the web portions 14,16 of magnet holder 10 could present fabric hooks. This could be done by either substituting such a hook-bearing cloth for the inner flannel layer or merely by adding a hook-type cloth over the flannel. Fabric hook material could then be secured to one side of a magnet by an adhesive, for example. The magnets could then be secured to any point along the inside surface 32 at the users option. Secured in this manner, just as with the pockets 24, the magnets will not shift during use and can be substituted and positioned as desired, while being removable for washing the web 12.

Separate cloth pouches could also carry magnets. The pouches in turn could be fastened to the inner surface 32 such as by hook and loop fasteners, string ties, snaps or the like.

It will be appreciated by those in the art that many types of fasteners such as clips and ties could also be used to secure magnets to the web with varying advantages an disadvantages. One particular advantage to having pockets such as pockets 24,36 is that a thin layer of cloth presented by the pockets is interposed between a magnet and the skin of the wearer. The pocket material will wick perspiration and permit the skin to breath better than if the magnet is pressed directly onto the skin.

As used herein,"machine washable"has its ordinary meaning, but shall include that, as a result of being washed by a conventional washing machine, or dried on a conventional machine dryer, the magnet holder will not lose its intended shape or function, will come as clean as conventional machine-washables soiled in a similar manner, and will not be damaged, including damage to the magnets.

The apparatus of the present invention permit novel methods of magnet therapy. For example, when using either magnet holder 10 or 34 an individual user or a therapist can now conduct the following treatments. The therapist can first define a treatment area in a body portion then determine desired points in or near the treatment area where magnets are to be employed. The therapist can then provide a magnet holder such as magnet holder 10 or 34 which can secure magnets at optional desired points. Then magnets selected by criteria such as gauss value (magnetic field strength), field design and shape, magnet size, shape and thickness can then be placed at optional predetermined points on the webs 12,38 by placing them into selected pockets 24,36.

According to another aspect of the invention, pockets may be provided in sufficient numbers and locations on the web 12 or 38 to permit a user to optionally place magnets in the magnet holders 10 and 34 so as to coincide with accupressure points in or near the treatment area.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.