CA2436926A1

CA2436926A1 - Headache pain alleviation system

Info

Publication number: CA2436926A1
Application number: CA 2436926
Authority: CA
Inventors: Peter A. Darowski
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-08-11
Filing date: 2003-08-11
Publication date: 2005-02-11

Abstract

A headache pain alleviation system that includes a two-piece, adjustable fit, head encircling assembly; a pressurizable bladder assembly; and two separate thermal transfer devices. The system is configurable to apply heating or cooling and/or pressure to one or more particular locations on a headache suffer's head.

Description

Description Technical Field The present inventian relates to deva.ces and systems for use by headache sufferers and more particularly to a headache pain alleviation system that includes a two-piece, adjustablE: fit, head ~nr_ircling assembly, a pressurizable bladdev assembly, and tu~o separate thermal packs; the tsvo-piece, adjustable fit, head enr_i.~-~Jling assembly including two substantially ider:tical , elongated, rectangular members each provided eaith a thermal pack recei~ring pocket therein for receiving and holding one of the thermal packs therein, the ends o' the two substantially identical, elongated, rectangu7.ar members being provided ~~~ith sections of hook '~5 and pile fastener material such that the two substantially identical, elongated, rectangular members are connectable end to end in a manner to form a closed, head-encirc~~.~.ng loop of various sizes; the pressurizable bladder assembly inr_ludes a squeeze air pump 'zaving an outlet in connection with a stal)c portion of a Y-2o shaped air presst:re line having two elongated bladder connected air fee~a lines, an air pressure regulator valve installed in air pressure controlling coi:nection along each of the two ai.r teed lines, and two separate air bladders each in sealed connection with an outlet end of one of the two air feed lines; one air bladder being positioned within each of the two substantially identical, elongated, rectangular members at a location adjacent the pocket of the elongated, rectangular member such that, when a thermal pack is positioned within the thermal pack receiving pocket, inflation of the air bladder provides a force to push a user facing surface of the elongated., rectangular member against the user and the thermal pack toward the user, and, when tl:e ~0 thermal pack r=ceiving pocket is empty, in.flaticn of th:e air bladder provides a force to push t!:e user facing surface of ~~re elongated, rectangular member against the user; an cuter Facing surface of each of the elongated, rectangular members being constructed from non-stretch material to incr~nase a force applied :5 by inflation of ona or both of the air bladders.
Fsackcxrow.nd Art Many headache suffers receive pain relief by applying pressure to their heads and/or by applying cold or heat to either or both their foreheads, the back of the base of the mead and other .0 locations. ~~orne al so receive some benefit from ay:p:Lyimg b~r~!,:
pressure and heat or cold simultaneously. It would b~~ desirable, therefore, to have a system that would allow a headache su~Ferer to be able to apply heat or cold co desirEd areas of the head region as well as to apply selected pressure to selecr_ed head areas for extended periods of time without requiring the user to dedicate one or more of his/her hands to holding a heating or cooling device in a desired location or applying the desired force.
General Summary Discussion of Invention Tt is thus an object of the invention to provide a headache pain alleviation system.
Accordingly, a headache pain a,~leviatior. syste:~~ ~.s provided.
a0 Tie headache pain alleviation system includes a two-piece, adjustable rit, head encircling assembly, a pressurizable bladder assembly, and two separate thermal. packs.
Bri__ef_ Description of Drawings For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are given the same or analogous reference numbers and wherein:
Figure Z is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the headache pain alleviation system of the present invention.
Exemplary Mode for Carry~_ng__Out the Invention Figure 1 show variaus aspects of an e:cE:mplary embodiment of the readaclle pain alleviation system of the present invention generally designated lf~. Headache pain alleviation system 10 includes a two-piece, adjustable fit, head encircling assembly, generally designated 12; a pressurizable: bladder assembly, generally designated l~; and two separate thermal transfer devices, in this embodiment two t!~ermal gel packs, generally designated 16a,16b, that may be configured to supply heat or provide cooling as desires.
T'wo-piece, adjustable fit, :-read enc~_rcling assembly ~2 includes two substantially identical, elongated, rectangular men~~ers, generally designated 18a, 18b, each provided with a thermal pace; receiving pocket 20 therein for receivizng and holding one or the thermal packs 16a,16b therein. The ends '?1a,21b of the t~~:e '_-~ substantially identical, elongated, rectangular men,.~ers 18a, 18b are provided ~.Jith sections 22,2 of hook and pile fastener material such that the two substantially identical, elongated, ~=ectangular members ~Ba,lBb are connectable end to end in a manner to form a closed, head-encircling loop of various sizes.
c7 Pressurawable bladder assembly 14 includes a squeeze air pump 26 having an outlet 28 in connection with a stalk portion 30 of a ~r-shaped air pressure line, generally designated 3~~, having tyro elongated bladder connected air feed lines 26a, 36b: an air pres~:ur~

regulator valve 40a,40b installed, respectively, in air pressure controlling connection along each of the two air feed lines 36a,35b; and t~fro separate air bladders 46a,46b, each in sealed connection c~ith an outlet end of a respective one of the two air S feed lines 36a,36b. One air bladder 46a,45b is positioned within.
each of the two substantially identical, elongated, :rectangular members =_8a,18b at a ?ocation adjacent the pocket ~0 of the elongated, rectangular member 18a, 18b such that, when a t;iermal pack 15a,16b, is positioned within the thermal pack receiving ~u pocr.et 20, inLiation of tre adjacent air bladder 4ca,41;b provides Fore: to ;:a;s:z a user facir:g surface SO of ~~.ne elonJated, rectangular :,ember ~.8a,18b against the user and the tluermal pack 1o'a, 16b toc~Jard the user, and, when. the the:rn;al pack receiving pocket 20 is empr.y, inflation of an air bladder 4oa,~l6a provides a :; force to pu:~n the user facing surface 50 of T.: he 'longated, rectangular member 18a,18b against the user. A:~ cuter facing surface 58 of Mach of the elongated, rectangular members 18a,18b is constructed frem non-stretch material to increase rh~~ ~~r.~~e applied by inflaticn o.t the air bladders 46a,46b.
~0 En use, '_he user selects ~~rhether to use gel r~ac!~s 1.5a, 16b for r.~r.rviding heat or cold and po:~itions one of the titer°mal gel packs lo'a, lnb, in tie desired he ati.ng o~- Cooling configv.ir:~r_.ion; into each oc th~~ two pocl:ct5 ~8a, 48b. The user then poswtions the two adjustably connectable belt members l8aa,18b around his/her head such that the pockets 20 are locaCed on user_ selected areas for applying heating or cooling, such as the forehead and the back base _u the head. The hook and pile fastener sections 22,24 of the belt members 18a,18b are then secured together to ~orrn a tight fitting loop about the user's head such that the the-rural gel packs 16a,1&b are m.aintaned in position against the desired head and/or neck a~~eas .
Should the user desire to app7.y additional force to the areas re~eivring heating or cooling or just desire: to use pressure on ~<> _,- ~ the user simpiy inflates one or more air 4s.i._ _d e=.s ~:~on~, bladders 4~a,46b. The user may control the degree of inflation by ac? j:m> _ ing the: respective regulator valve 40a, 40b.
_,. ran be seen from the preceding descri~~tion that a headache pa=a alle~~iation system has been prouided.
.t is noted that the embodiment of !:he headache pain a! leviation system described herein in dsetail for e~cemplar_v purposes is of course subject to many difl:erent variations i.n _.~.~v:_~eure, de~aian, application and methodology. because rr:anv ~:a.l°yiig an:x different embodiments may be made: within the scope of r_:~~e inventive concept (~) herein taught, and bcacau:~c many modif.ic"-_7_ tions may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in. accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, its is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

- CLAIM -What is claimed is:

1) A headache pain alleviation system comprising:
a two-piece, adjustable fit, head encircling assembly;
air bladders connectable to the head encircling assembly;
thermal transfer devices connectable to the head encircling assembly; and an air pump assembly in pressuring connection with the air bladders through flexible air pressure lines;
the air bladders and the thermal transfer devices being connectable to the head encircling assembly in relation to each other such that the inflation of an air bladder provides a biasing force to the thermal transfer device.