WO2006133478A1

WO2006133478A1 - Muscle relief device

Info

Publication number: WO2006133478A1
Application number: PCT/AU2005/000879
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oskar Alexander Ott
Original assignee: Oskar Alexander Ott
Priority date: 2005-06-17
Filing date: 2005-06-17
Publication date: 2006-12-21

Abstract

A muscle relief device (1) comprising, a body formed of resilient soft material, the body including two wing like extensions (3) extending from a central section (13), each wing like extension having an upper surface (9) which has a convex cross-section in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction in which each wing like extension extends, and a lateral pad member (21) provided on a peak region of the upper surface, each lateral pad member (21) having a pressure surface for exerting pressure on the body of a person lying on the back muscle relief device, the pressure surface having a hardness substantially greater than the hardness of the resilient soft material forming the body. A vertical member (5) may extend from the central section to give a generally T shaped appearance to the body.

Description

MUSCLE RELIEF DEVICE

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a muscle relief device. In a particular non-limiting aspect it relates to a back or neck muscle relief device designed to relieve aches and pains caused by small contraction knots in the upper part of a human back or the lower part of the neck.

Background of the Invention

There is a great deal of scientific evidence to suggest that many aches and pains have a muscular origin. In particular, many of these aches and pains may be due to the action of trigger points in the body. A trigger point is a small contraction knot in muscle tissue. It may be the size of a pea-like hardened section of muscle buried deep in the muscle. A trigger point affects the muscle by keeping it both tight and weak. At the same time a trigger point maintains a hard contraction on the muscle fibres that are directly connected to it. In turn, these taut bands of muscle fibre keep constant tension on the muscles' attachments, often producing symptoms in adjacent joints. The constant tension of the fibres of the trigger point itself restricts circulation in the immediate area. The resulting accumulation of the by products of metabolism, as well as deprivation of the oxygen and nutrients needed for metabolism, can perpetuate trigger points for months or even years unless some intervention occurs.

Trigger points are known to cause headaches, neck and jaw pain, back pain, the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, and many kinds of joint pain mistakenly ascribed to arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis or ligament injuries.

Trigger points can appear in many areas of muscle throughout the body. It has been found that the contraction effect and hence symptoms of trigger points can be relieved by appropriate massage or other form of pressure in the area of the muscle contraction or trigger point.

Whilst massage is known to relieve the symptoms caused by trigger point muscle contractions, it is not always practical for sufferers to regularly go to a massage expert. To some extent, this problem can be overcome by teaching a sufferer the appropriate regions in which massage or pressure should be applied to alleviate the trigger point symptoms. However, where the trigger points concerned reside in the sufferer's upper back region, for all but very supple contortionists, there is no prospect of the sufferer being able to massage the appropriate trigger points in the upper back.

Thus, there is a need for a device which can apply pressure to the trigger points in the upper back. Preferably, that device should be useable by a sufferer without the assistance of any other party.

Disclosure of the Invention

The invention provides in one aspect a muscle relief device comprising, a body formed of resilient soft material, the body including two wing like extensions extending from a central section, each wing like extension having an upper surface which has a convex cross-section in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction in which each wing like extension extends, and a lateral pad member provided on a peak region of the upper surface, each lateral pad member having a pressure surface for exerting pressure on the body of a person lying on the back muscle relief device, the pressure surface having a hardness substantially greater than the hardness of the resilient soft material forming the body.

A vertical member may extend from the central section to give a generally T shaped appearance to the body.

Suitably, the body is formed of a resilient plastic material. It may comprise a foamed material. It may comprise polyurethane foam. It may be formed as a single piece in a mould. It may include hollows on its underneath surface. The body may be shaped so that the bottom of the vertical member may rest on a flat surface such as the floor. The two wing-like extensions may extend from the vertical member at an angle to the floor. They may make an angle of about 5 to about 25° with the floor.

A pair of ribs may be provided on the surfaces of the two wing-like extensions intermediate the two lateral pads. A groove may be formed between the two ribs.

Alternatively or additionally a central pad member may be provided spanning the two wing like extensions.

The lateral pads may typically have a width ranging between 1.5 and 5cm. They may have a length typically ranging between 2.5 and 7.5cm.

The pads may include pressure surfaces comprising one or more projections. Suitably they include at least two projections. The projections may be integrally moulded with the pad. Alternatively, the projections may comprise separate components which can be attached to the pads. The pads and projections may be constructed so that the two may be snap fitted or screwed together.

The projections may be formed of the same material as the rest of the pad. They may comprise a rubbery material. They may have a generally hemispherical shape. The hardness of the material forming the pad and/or the projections may be at least 20%, more preferably at least 50% greater than that of the body.

The projections may project to a height of between 2mm and 20mm above the upper surface of the pad. The main portion of each pad may comprise a generally flat moulded' material of thickness between 1 and 10mm. It may have a generally uniform thickness throughout apart from the region where the projections extend upwardly from the pad. In one particular embodiment each of the lateral pads and the central pad may be provided with two snap fit projections which project between 6mm and 15mm above the level of the pad.

By locating the pads on the upper surface of the convex cross-section, the pads are located on fulcrum regions of each of the wing-like extensions so that the projections on the pads may press into trigger points when a user rests his or her back or neck on the device. Typically the spine may be lined up with the vertical member when used in this fashion.

hi a typical scenario, a user with upper back pain caused by trigger points may recline onto the device locating it so that the projections press into the trigger points in the upper back or neck when the user lies down. The user may squirm or move the back around so that the projections effectively massage and put pressure on the trigger points.

Preferred aspects of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a muscle relief device according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows an underneath plan view of the muscle relief device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows the section A-A taken through Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows the section B-B taken through Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows the end elevation X of Figure 1;

Figure 6 shows the end elevation Y of Figure 1; Figure 7 shows the end elevation Z of Figure 1;

Figure 8 shows a plan view of the pads shown in Figure 1;

Figure 8 a shows the section C-C taken through the pad of Figure 8;

Figure 8b shows the section D-D taken through the pad of Figure 8; . Figure 9 shows an underneath plan view of a muscle relief device in place under the upper back of a user;

Figure 10 shows a muscle relief device according to the invention in place against the mid-back of a user; Figure 11 shows a plan view of an alternative form of muscle relief device according to the invention;

Figure 12 shows a side view of the back muscle relief device of Figure 11; Figure 13 shows an underneath plan view of the muscle relief device of Figure ii; Figure 14 shows an isometric view of the relief device of Figure 11 ;

Figure 15 shows an exploded isometric view of the relief device of Figure 11;

Figure 16 shows an end on view of the relief device of Figure 11;

Figure 17 shows an end on view taken from the opposite end of the relief device of Figure 11 ; Figure 18 shows a cross section taken through the wing extensions shown in

Figure 11; and

Figure 19 shows an enlarged view of the circled area shown in Figure 18.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The various elements identified by numerals in the drawings are listed in the following integer list.

Integer List

1 Back muscle relief device

3 Wing extension

5 Vertical member

7 Upper surface

9 Peak surface/fulcrum

11 Rib

13 Groove

15 Foam core 16 Hollow

17 Hollow

18 Base surface edge

19 Base surface edge

21 Lateral pad

23 Projection

25 Display pad

30 Muscle relief device

32 Foam core

33 Wing extension

35 Vertical member

36 Hollow

37 Upper surface

38 Hollow

39 Recess

40 Recess

41 Lateral pad

42 Central pad

43 Groove

44 Projection

45 Display pad

50 Circular recess

52 Projection

53 Circular lip

55 Complementary recess

Referring to Figures 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a muscle relief device according to the invention generally designated 1.

The muscle relief device 1, comprises a body having two wing extensions 3 extending from a vertical member 5 to give a generally T-shaped appearance. The T-shaped body is formed of any suitable soft material such as foamed polyurethane. The upper surface 7 of the body may be formed with a skin or covering which may be formed integrally with the rest of the body.

The wing extensions are formed so that they are convex in shape as is seen more clearly in section B-B which shows the section perpendicular to the direction in which the wings run. The generally convex section extends from the section B-B shown along the length of each of the wings to its end so that the entire length of each wing is generally convex across its length.

As can be seen from section A-A shown more clearly in Figure 3, the length of the two wings joined together also forms a convex section as well.

The result of forming the wing extensions in this fashion means that there is a peak region or surface 9 extending along the top of the length of each of the wing extensions. This peak surface provides a fulcrum for purposes to become apparent.

The interior ends of each of the wing extensions each include a rib 11. A groove 13 is formed between each of the ribs. The groove is located so as to receive the spine of a user lying down on the muscle relief device.

The foam core 15 of the body is formed with hollows 16 and 17 shown more clearly in Figures 2, 3 and 4.

On the underneath of the device, the hollows define a base surface edge 18 which is flat and is adapted to lie flat on a flat surface such as a floor or table.

Each of the wings has a base surface edge formed between the hollows 16 and the outer edges of the device. The base surface edges 19 extend at an angle to the base surface edge 18. Thus, the device when rested upon a flat surface has the base surface edges 19 of the wings extending clear of the support surface.

Each of the wing extensions includes a lateral pad 21 secured across the peak surface or fulcrum. The lateral pads which are shown more clearly in Figures 8, 8a and 8b comprise a material such as rubber which is unfoamed and has a substantially greater hardness than the material forming the body of the device.

Each pad is formed with a plurality of projections 23 which may typically be 3mm to 7mm in height and may be generally semi-circular in vertical cross section. Where the projections 23 are integrally moulded with the pad there may typically be 8 or more small projections.

A display pad 25 may be provided on the vertical member for decorative purposes and/or carrying an identification mark.

Referring to Figure 9, the device 1 is shown with the lateral pads 21 pressing into the region of the upper back of a user where a number of trigger points may require attention. These trigger points may be associated for example with any one or more of the following muscles in the upper back: -

interscapular rhomboid muscles, supraspinatus muscles, infraspinatus muscles, serratus posterior superior muscles, teres major and minor muscles and the deep spinal muscles.

hi order for the patient to treat trigger points associated with any of these muscles, the patient can lie supine on the device 1 in the manner shown either on the floor or on a bed. The user moves around until the projections 23 press directly on sensitive trigger points and body weight is used to apply gradually increasing pressure for a minute or more until each trigger point loses its deep tenderness. A hot pack may be applied afterwards to enhance the beneficial effect and hence reduce soreness the next day. This procedure may be repeated on a daily basis for so long as the trigger point condition persists.

Referring to Figure 10, there is shown a user lying supine on the device with the fulcrum applying pressure to the middle back region of the spine. In this instance, the device may be used for stretching spinal muscles. With this type of usage, the pads are not necessarily needed for treatment of trigger points. This illustration is only for the purposes of showing that the device may even be useful when trigger points are not being treated.

Referring to Figures 1 to 19, there is shown a muscle relief device generally designated 30 which has a similar structure to that described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. It includes a generally T-shaped body having a foam core 32 and two wing extensions 33 joined centrally to a vertical member 35.

The underneath of the device includes hollows 36 in the wing extensions and an elongate hollow 38 in the vertical member.

The upper surface 37 of the device may include a skin covering the foam core as is known in the art.

Each of the wing extensions is provided with a recess 40 and a further recess 39 i is provided in the region at the top of the T where the two wing extensions join.

The recesses 39 and 40 are shaped so as to receive the lateral pads 41 and central pad 42 respectively. These may be attached to the main body of the device by conventional means such as heat welding or gluing. The material of the lateral and central pads will generally comprise a solid material which is harder than the foam core comprising the body of the device.

A central groove 43 is formed in the central pad 42 so as to line up with the spine of a user.

A display pad 45 may be provided in a corresponding recess on the vertical member as in the case of the previous embodiment.

Each of the pads is provided with two circular recesses 50 surrounding a projection 52. The side of the projection is provided with a circular lip 53 which is adapted to co-operate with a complementary recess 55 formed on the interior surface of the projection 44 so as to allow individual projections to be snap fitted into place in the spaces defined by the circular recesses 50.

The projections will again be of a material which is harder than the foam core of the device. They may comprise the same material as the plastics material forming the pads.

By having projections which can be snap fitted and removed at will, it is possible to vary the number of projections provided on the device so as to tailor it to the particular uses required. In the illustrated example between 0 and 6 projections may be used. Of course, it is also possible to design devices which can accommodate a larger number of projections providing they are smaller than the projections illustrated. Ia the embodiments shown the projections may typically extend between 10mm and 20mm above the surface of the pads concerned.

As the device can be configured to include projections on the central pad, it is to be appreciated that these projections may also be used to press into trigger points in the neck or back as the case may be.

The device may be used in association with a locating sheet or towel which includes markings to show where the device should be located relative to the hips of a person using a device. Typically, the markings may be such as to locate the hips and the projections such that the spacing between the line joining the centre of the hips and the line joining the projections on the central pad is between 400mm and 600mm long.

Whilst the above description includes the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that many variations, alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the essential features or the spirit or ambit of the invention. It will be also understood that where the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", are used in this specification, unless the context requires otherwise such use is intended to imply the inclusion of a stated feature or features but is not to be taken as excluding the presence of other feature or features.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims

1. A muscle relief device comprising, a body formed of resilient soft material, the body including two wing like extensions extending from a central section, each wing like extension having an upper surface which has a convex cross-section in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction in which each wing like extension extends, and a lateral pad member provided on a peak region of the upper surface, each lateral pad member having a pressure surface for exerting pressure on the body of a person lying on the back muscle relief device, the pressure surface having a hardness substantially greater than the hardness of the resilient soft material forming the body.

2. A muscle relief device according to claim 1 wherein a vertical member extends from the central section to give a generally T-shaped appearance to the body.

3. A muscle relief device according to claim 1 wherein the lateral pad members comprise at least one projection extending upwardly above the level of the upper surface.

4. A muscle relief device according to claim 2 wherein each of the lateral pads have a main portion with a width generally ranging between 1.5 cm and 5 cm and a length generally ranging between 2.5 cm and 7 cm and comprise at least one projection extending upwardly from the main portion, each projection having a hardness at least 20% greater than hardness of the body.

5. A muscle relief device according to claim 4 wherein each projection has a generally hemispherical shape.

6. A muscle relief device according to claim 4 wherein each pad comprises a main portion moulded of material having a generally uniform thickness between 1 mm and 10 mm and each projection extends to a height between 2 mm and 20 mm above an upper surface of the main portion.

7. A muscle relief device according to claim 4 comprising a central pad member located between the lateral pad members, the central pad member spanning the two wing like extensions, and at least two projections extending upwardly from the central pad member.

8. A muscle relief device according to claim 4 wherein the pads and projections comprise separate components which are constructed so that each pad and projection can mechanically interengage to hold the two together.

9. A muscle relief device according to claim 4 wherein the vertical member has an undersurface adapted to stably support the muscle relief device on a generally planar surface and the wing like extensions have an undersurface which extends at an angle of between 5° and 25° to the generally planar surface.

10. A muscle relief device according to claim 4 wherein the body comprises polyurethane foam covered with a skin and the body has an underneath surface formed with hollow regions underneath each of the wing like extensions and vertical member.

11. A muscle relief device according to claim 10 wherein each lateral pad comprises a solid rubbery material.

12. A muscle relief device according to claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.