FR2611306A1 - Composite magnet intended to be incorporated in a magnetic therapeutic device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composite magnet. This magnet is characterised in that it comprises a number of units combined together, each of the said units being formed by arranging a number of magnets which alternately define North and South Poles arranged on a plane which is perpendicular to the direction of magnetisation. The invention finds application in the treatment of various ailments.

Description

 The present invention relates to an arrangement of magnets which can be used as a magnetic therapeutic device designed to apply lines of magnetic force to the human body, thereby relieving physical discomfort such as pain, numbness and heaviness, or improve health. The present invention also relates to an arrangement of magnets which can be used for manual work, toys, household articles, learning materials etc., using their magnetic attraction.

 It is well known that magnetism has a certain effect on the human body and relieves physical discomfort, for example stiffness and pain, and that it is effective in improving health, and a large number of magnetic therapeutic devices using the magnetic effect, for example, magnetic necklaces, magnetic bracelets, magnetic mattresses, magnetic tapes and magnetic pellets attached to respective adhesive tapes (hereinafter referred to as "adhesive magnetic plasters") have so far been marketed and used.

 However, the magnetic therapy devices already known suffer from the following problems. For example, a magnetic collar or the like applies lines of magnetic force to a fixed part, such as the user's neck, while a magnetic mattress allows the application of magnetism to the entire body of the user, but the lines of magnetic force produced by the magnetic mattress are relatively weak and the parts of the user's body on which magnetism acts effectively are limited to those which are close to the magnets installed on the mattress.

 In addition, adhesive magnetic pads which have recently developed rapidly can be glued in any position on the body in order to apply lines of magnetic force directly to the affected part.

However, as the pale magnetic which is in contact with the skin is limited to a pale (the pale north in many cases), it is impossible to produce a strong magnetic field at the affected part, therefore the lines of magnetic force which act on the affected part are considerably small. Even if a large number of adhesive magnetic patches are stuck to an affected part, as the magnetic blades which are in contact with the skin are of the same polarity, the lines of magnetic force are not intensified but can on the contrary be canceled each other. Thus, it is impossible to expect a strong magnetic therapeutic effect from such conventional adhesive magnetic plasters.

In addition, since this type of therapy is brought into contact with the skin for a long period of time, the skin may have a rash.

 Furthermore, most of the conventional magnetic therapeutic devices described above employ ferrite magnets or the like which have only an ordinary level of magnetic force and the density of magnetic flux at the contact surface with the human body is usually 1,000 gauss or less. Even when using a rare earth magnet which has a large magnetic force, the density of magnetic flux is at most 2,000 gauss and usually 1,500 gauss or less.

 In addition, the contact surface of the magnetic blade with the body of the user is relatively small, that is to say of 1 cm 2 or less, and consequently the action of the lines of magnetic force on the body is weak. .

As a result, it has been generally recognized that the magnetic lines of force which are produced by these devices do not have an immediate therapeutic effect but are effective when used for a long period of time.

 A wide variety of treatments have already been proposed for magnetic therapy using magnets, and it is common practice to use a single magnet that has a pair of north and south blades. In the simplest method, the pale north side of the simple magnet described above is brought into contact with the skin of the affected part and is fixed by means of an adhesive tape or the like.

However, as various magnetic therapeutic methods using magnets have been proposed and discussed, there is a growing tendency to admit that a treatment where the pale north of a single magnet is brought into contact with the skin of the affected part and the pale south of another single magnet is placed adjacent to the north pole is also effective.

 As described above, as has been recognized to date that the therapeutic effect which is produced by magnetic therapeutic devices is slow and that these devices are effective when used for a relatively long period of time. time, restrictions have been imposed so far on increasing the number of types and uses of the prior art.

 The present inventors have carried out exhaustive studies to find a method allowing a great improvement of the therapeutic effect by means of magnetic lines of force so as to be able to immediately relieve physical discomfort. As a result, the present inventors have found that a magnetic therapeutic device is made excessively effective in exerting its therapeutic action on the body of the user by enlarging the surface area (hereinafter called "contact surface") of the device. which must be brought into contact with the body of the user to a point unthinkable in the prior art and by using in addition a pair of magnets having a high magnetic force, thereby increasing the density of magnetic flux of the therapeutic device The first form of the present invention was accomplished on the basis of this discovery.

 The present inventors have also found that a ther30euOloue m3cne: lrue device having a larger contact surface, which is obtained by combining a number of magnets having a large magnetic force so that the north and south poles are alternately arranged is superior, in terms of the therapeutic effect on the human body, and that the use of a pair of magnetic therapeutic devices was excessively effective in exerting a therapeutic action on the body of the user. The second form of the present invention has been accomplished on the basis of this discovery.

 The present inventors have further found that a magnetic therapeutic device which has an enlarged contact surface by placing a number of magnets having a large magnetic force in a row with identical magnetic paddles facing each other through magnetically permeable material was excellent in terms of the therapeutic effect on the human body and that the use of a pair of magnetic therapeutic devices of the type described above was excessively effective in exerting a therapeutic action on the human body. The third form of the present invention has been accomplished on the basis of this discovery.

 The present inventors further continued the examination and found that it was possible to obtain an even more excellent therapeutic effect by arranging a magnetic therapeutic device in such a way that a face of magnetic poles which must be brought into contact with the human body has the form of a number of protuberances which define alternately arranged north and south pale. The fourth form of the present invention has been accomplished based on this discovery.

 From another point of view, the magnetic therapeutic devices described above are not necessarily free of drawbacks which can be suffered when the devices are handled. Therefore, the inventors have examined these magnetic therapeutic devices to obtain a magnet which can be used for magnetic adhesion as well as magnetic therapy and which is easy to assemble, disassemble and to detach while being comfortable with a wide variety of objects with considerable flexibility. As a result, the present inventors have found that, if a composite magnet is used which is formed by combining four magnets of the same configuration of rectangular parallelepiped according to a specific method, or a composite magnet which is formed by combining a number of composite magnets of the type described above, when such a composite magnet is assembled, or when a pair of composite magnets or a number pairs of magnets are used in a set, the unitary magnets attract without fail to adhere to each other without any repulsive force acting between them, which That is, how they are brought into contact with each other and their handling is therefore greatly facilitated. The fifth form of the present invention has been accomplished on the basis of this discovery.

 The present inventors further examined the composite magnet described above and found that it was not always necessary to combine four unit magnets and that if a prime number (2, 3, 5, 7 is combined) , 11, etc.) of unit magnets and that this combination is provided with a simple mark, such as a mark of a distinctive color or a protuberance, in order to be distinguishable, the composite magnet could have the same function that that of the composite magnet described above consisting of four unit magnets and more, when this composite magnet is used for medical treatment, it is possible to obtain advantageous effects which could not be obtained from the art prior. The sixth form of the present invention has been accomplished on the basis of this discovery.

The present inventors have also carried out exhaustive studies to improve in an identical manner
flat magnets which are generally used from
many ways and have found that not only four,
but also a number of unit magnets
could be combined and stacked as desired
with the faces of the magnetic blades held in place
attraction to each other at all times, whatever
the sides of the unit magnets facing
face, arranging each unitary magnet so that a
number of north and south pale faces are found
alternately on the surface of the magnet. The seventh
form of the present invention has been accomplished on the
basis of this discovery.

The subject of the present invention is a new
magnetic therapeutic device which has been strongly developed in comparison with the prior art, on the basis
of the discoveries described above.

The magnetic therapeutic device obtained
by the present invention is of a new type which
not found in the prior art, and this
invention can be carried out in all seven forms
following practices (which will be called hereinafter "the
first to seventh embodiments of the invention ", respectively)
1. A pair of strong magnets having
enlarged contact surfaces.

2. A number of strong magnets
arranged so that the pale north and south are
alternately arranged.

3. A number of strong magnets
arranged in a row so that the identical blades
of each pair of adjacent magnets face each other
through a magnetically permeable material.

4, A contact surface in the form of a
number of protrusions that define pale
north and south alternately arranged.

5. Four magnets with the same configuration
de ~ 3.3lre! e: ^ ece rectangle the magnets being combined so that the faces of the north and south poles alternately arranged in symmetry by points to each other relative to the center of the four magnets combined.

 6. A composite magnet formed by arranging a prime number of magnets having the same rectangular parallelepiped configuration so that the faces of the north and south poles which are made recognizable from each other are alternately arranged.

 7. A flat magnet having a surface where a number of north and south pale faces are alternately arranged.

 The seven embodiments described above of the invention are not necessarily independent of each other but are related to each other. Therefore, these practical forms can be selected and combined appropriately for a particular use so that the combination is most effective.

 The arrangements of the practical forms of the present invention will be described below in detail.

 In the first embodiment, the magnetic therapeutic device according to this first practical form comprises a pair of high power magnets having large contact surfaces, the contact surfaces of the magnets which face each other having opposite polarities. Preferably, each of the magnets which constitute a pair of halves is partially or totally covered with a protective member and connected to it in a unit.

 The surface of each of the halves which must be brought into contact with the human body (said surface will hereinafter be called "contact surface") must be at least 1 cm 2. In general, the area of each contact area is appropriately chosen from 2 cm2 or 2 more and less than 200 cm, this preference of 5 cm2 or more and less than .5C cmz Si ta ssJWe-lc: e de the power surface. Among them, magnets of rare earth elements - Co and magnets of rare earth elements - Fe -9 can be advantageously amplified.

 It is of course possible to use other types of magnet provided that the magnets used have a high magnetic force, for example, platinum - Fe magnets, platinum - Co magnets, alnico magnets and ferrite magnets. Sintered rare earth magnets are particularly effective from the point of view of magnetic force and plastic magnets which have excellent formability can of course be used as long as they have a high magnetic force.

 The magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention can have satisfactory therapeutic effects, even in the form of two strong magnets alone, provided that the magnets have sufficiently large contact surfaces. However, if each of the magnets is covered with a protective member and connected to it in a unit, this is advantageous from the point of view of use, handling and therapeutic effect. In this case, the whole of each magnet comprising the contact surface can be covered with a protective member, depending on the type of the protective member used.

However, in some cases it is convenient that only the contact surface is exposed. The protective member is made of a magnetically permeable material and / or of a non-magnetically permeable material.

 In the case where a magnetically permeable material is used for the protective member, if this is arranged to cover the whole of the magnet with the exception of part or all of the contact surface , the protective member advantageously forms a magnetic circuit to increase the density of magnetic flux at the contact surface of the magnet. Examples of magnetically permeable materials which can advantageously be explored in 1 a p re s an t c i n en t include f e r.

contact is small, the action of magnetism on the human body is weak and therefore it takes a relatively long time for treatment while if the contact area is excessively large, although the action and effect of magnetism are strong, it becomes tedious to manipulate the magnetic therapeutic device, unfavorably. In general, the contact area is preferably chosen to be smaller than about 100 cm2.

 In treatment, the two halves of the magnetic therapeutic device are usually held with both hands and applied to the affected part, and it is therefore preferable to give each half the shape of a rod, a prism or the like, which allows each half to be easily held with one hand. A handle can be provided on each of the halves. The density of magnetic flux at the contact surface of each half which is to be brought into contact with the human body must be 500 gauss or more in order to produce effects which are greater than those offered by the prior art. However, in order to obtain even more excellent therapeutic effects, it is necessary to establish the magnetic flux density at least 1,000 gauss, generally at 2,000 gauss or more, and preferably 2,500 gauss or more. to improve the effect of magnetic lines of force on the human body, it is effective practice to employ a pair of strong magnets having the enlarged contact surfaces which characterize the present invention so that the contact surfaces magnets facing each other have opposite polarities.

 Any type of magnet which has a large magnetic force can be used in the present invention and there is no specific restriction imposed on the kind of the magnet. However, high-performance rare earth magnets which are generally used can in general be used as fuse magnets for iron-containing alloys such as steel, nickel, nickel-containing alloys, cobalt, alloys containing cobalt and combinations of these materials, although this is not necessarily limited to these.

In this case, if the contact surface of the magnet is coated, in a thin layer, with a non-magnetically permeable material, such as plastic, leather, paper or fabric, the magnetic therapeutic device becomes soft to the touch when used on the human body, thus giving a favorable feeling to the patient. If the coating is excessively thick, the density of magnetic flux at the contact surface disadvantageously decreases by a substantial extent. A suitable thickness of the coating is generally 2 mm or less, although it depends on the material used.

 In the case where a non-magnetically permeable material is used for the protective member, each of the two magnets is partially or totally covered with the protective member and is connected to it in a unit.

When the contact surface is covered with the non-magnetically permeable material, if the protective member is excessively thick, the density of magnetic flux at the contact surface decreases unfavorably by a substantial extent as described above.

 Examples of the non-magnetically permeable material which can be suitably employed for the protective member include metals such as stainless steel, copper, a copper-containing alloy, aluminum and an alloy containing copper. aluminum, plastics, rubbers, fabric, paper, leather, wood and ceramics.

Practical examples of plastic materials which can be suitably employed in the present invention are polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl chloride resin, polyester, polyamide, acrylic resin, polycarbonate, polyurethane and a rl ~ e acr'1lonitrile-hutadèna-stre.e, while
practical examples of rubbers are rubbers
natural and synthetic rubbers such as butadiene-styrene rubber, butyl rubber,
chloroprene rubber and silicone rubber.

 The protective organ can be used in various forms. The simplest method of using a non-magnetically permeable material for the protective member is coating the entire high-power magnet with the material or coating all of the surfaces of the magnet with the material. except for part or all of its contact surface. The coating reinforces the high performance magnet to prevent it from being damaged during handling and also allows the magnet to be gently applied to the skin of the user in treatment, thereby facilitating the therapeutic operation, advantageously.

 The protective member can be formed by various coating methods, for example, ordinary spray coating using liquid paint, baking and electrostatic coating. When a plastic material is used for the protective member, a coating can be advantageously and admirably formed by coating by immersion with fluidification using a plastic powder.

 It is also possible to form the protective member using plating techniques such as a dry or wet metal plating technique or a composite plating technique. In the case where the high power magnet is covered with a non-magnetically permeable material, for example, a metal such as stainless steel, aluminum, an alloy containing aluminum, copper or an alloy containing copper, plastic, leather, paper or fabric, it is possible to stick a sheet or film of these materials to the magnet using an adhesive.It is also possible to place the magnet in a box or bag of an aproorie configuration, which is made of a material chosen from the group described above. In such a case, the part of the case or bag which faces the contact surface of the magnet can be opened.

The magnet can also be used in a fully enclosed state. It will be even more practical if the protective member is arranged to also be used as a housing receiving the magnet.

 From this point of view, it will be. considerably practical and advantageous that the magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention is further arranged as described below.

 Indeed, two strong magnets are respectively received in magnet receiving parts which are formed as described below in external protective members made, for example, of wood or plastic, to form a magnetic therapeutic device consisting of two halves. The magnets can be received in the external protective members after having covered them with magnetically permeable protective members or after having coated them with a non-magnetically permeable material, for example, paint or plastics, or after having covered them with sheets. of aluminum or mild steel. The parts receiving the magnet are formed in the respective external protective members - so that, when the two halves are brought together with their contact surfaces facing each other, a magnetic therapeutic device can be assembled. consisting of two halves. If the shape and size of each external protective member is chosen appropriately, it is possible to make the protective member easy to hold with one hand during treatment. Alternatively, a handle may be provided on the protective member, or it is also possible to provide a detachable strip, an elastic band or the like, on the protective member so that the device can be easily attached to the affected part.

 It will be practical and favorable, in terms of the appearance of the device, for the two halves to be arranged so that, when assembled in a unit with their contact surfaces facing each other, the general shape of the device is in columns or prismatic. The protective members which define the magnet receiving parts can be formed using any formable material, whether magnetically permeable or not.

 When a metallic material is used for the protective members, there is no specific restriction on the type of the metal used, and any formable metallic material can be used. It is however advantageous to choose a material from among those which are generally used, for example, iron, alloys containing iron such as steel, stainless steel, copper, alloys containing copper, aluminum and aluminum-containing alloys. Furthermore, it is also advantageous to use plastic and rubbers.

 In addition to the above, wood, woven fabric, paper, leather or ceramic can also be used as the protective member formed or part constituting the protective member.

 More particularly, an appropriate combination of a metal and a plastic or wooden material allows the formation of an easy-to-use protective member, of an excellent appearance and therefore giving a favorable impression to the user of the device.

 The effective functional mechanism of the magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention has not yet been sufficiently clarified. However, it has been found that, in conventional magnetic therapeutic devices, the area of contact with the human body is excessively small, i.e. 1 cm2 or less, and that the density of magnetic flux at the surface of contact usually came from: .scc gauss cu minus. at most.

while in the magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention, the density of magnetic flux at the contact surface of one half of the device is much higher than that of the prior art, that is to say 2,000 gauss or more in general, and 2,500 gauss or more in a preferred embodiment, and the contact area is also much larger than that of the prior art, i.e. 2 cm2 or more in general. we can consider that the magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention presents great therapeutic effects which one could not expect until now because two strong magnets are used so that opposite magnetic blades are face to face through the affected part or that the magnets are placed side by side on the affected part in order to improve the intensity of the magnetic field which acts on the human body during the treatment.

 Unlike conventional magnetic therapeutic devices which have only been used for excessively narrow affected parts of the human body, the magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention also makes it possible to magnetically stimulate the edges of the affected part. It can therefore be assumed that the activated tissue around the affected part will have a favorable effect on the treatment of the affected part.

 The magnetic therapeutic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention comprises a number of very strong magnets arranged so that the north and south blades are alternately arranged, thereby forming an enlarged contact surface. Preferably, the magnetic therapeutic device described above is paired with another device having the same arrangement so that the contact faces of the parts of these devices that are made are of polarities ooocsees.

 In the present invention, a number of strong magnets are combined which constitute a magnetic therapeutic device, so that the north and south blades of the magnets which are adjacent to each other directly or indirectly are alternately arranged, and there n There are no specific restrictions on the number of magnets used as well as on the way they are combined. However, if two strong magnets are combined into a unit so that the pale north of one magnet is placed side by side with the pale south of the other magnet and a number of said units are assembled as shown wishes, the magnetic therapeutic device can be used for affected parts having various dimensions, which is even more advantageous in practical use.

 In the present invention, there is no specific restriction on the surface area of the contact surface, but the contact surface must be at least 1 cm2 and it is suitably chosen to be 2 cm2 or more and less than 200 cm2. If the area of the contact area is small, the action of magnetism on the human body is weak and therefore it takes a relatively long time for the treatment while if the contact area is excessively large, although the action and the effect of magnetism are strong, it becomes tedious to manipulate the magnetic therapeutic device, which is unfavorable. Therefore, in general, the contact area is preferably chosen to be smaller than about 100 cm2.

 In the first embodiment, the present inventors have proposed a magnetic therapeutic device comprising two strong magnets, each having a single large contact surface. However, as the optimal contact area depends on each individual user and the kind of the affected part, it is necessary, in order to comply with all cases, to orc: t a large number of magnetic devices. having a wide variety of surfaces. At this point, as the present invention allows a number of magnets to be combined as desired, it will be readily understood that, if one prepares, for example, three different types of magnets which have contact areas of 1 cm2, 2 cm2 and 3 cm2 respectively, it is possible to obtain any contact area between 1 and 10 cm2, i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 cm2. Consequently, if a few different kinds of magnet are prepared in advance, the device can conveniently conform to affected parts of any size. Furthermore, since the magnets can be stacked, it is also possible to adjust the intensity of the magnetic force.

 The density of magnetic flux at the contact surface of each magnet which is to be brought into contact with the human body must be 500 gauss or more in order to produce effects which are superior to those offered by the prior art. However, in order to obtain even more excellent therapeutic effects, it is necessary to establish the density of magnetic flux at least 1,000 gauss, generally 2,000 gauss or more and preferably 2,500 gauss or more.

 Any type of magnet which has a large magnetic force can be used in the present invention and there is no specific restriction on the type of magnet used, in the same way as in the first embodiment. If a number of strong magnets are combined so as to obtain a large contact surface, the device can have a satisfactory therapeutic effect. However, if the entire combination of magnets is covered with a protective organ in one unit, this is advantageous from the point of view of use, handling and therapeutic effect. The kind, arrangement and use of the protective member are completely the same as in the first reJ!: SJt: cn mod described above.

 The effective functional mechanism of the magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention can be considered as that of the first embodiment with respect to the fact that the contact area is enlarged. However, as in this invention, a number of strong magnets are combined so that the north and south poles are alternately arranged, a number of magnetic circuits are formed and the lines of magnetic force are therefore considered to be act inside the patient's body, through the contact surface, more strongly than when a single magnet is used.

 Furthermore, it can be considered that the magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention has an important therapeutic effect, which has not hitherto been expected, because two magnetic therapeutic devices are used so that opposite magnetic blades are facing face to face across the affected part or the magnets are placed side by side on the affected part to improve the intensity of the magnetic field that acts on the human body during treatment.

 Another great feature of the present invention resides in the fact that it is possible to apply a magnetic treatment to an optimal surface since a certain number of magnetic devices are suitably combined as described above.

 The magnetic therapeutic device according to the third practical embodiment of the present invention comprises a number of high power magnets which are connected in the direction of magnetization so that the identical blades of each pair of adjacent magnets are face to face through a magnetically permeable material, thereby producing an enlarged contact surface. Preferably, the magnetic therapeutic device described above is combined with a. another disossitive having the dreary arrange: so that the parts of these devices which face each other have opposite polarities.

 In the present invention, a number of strong magnets, which constitute a magnetic therapeutic device, are combined so that the identical blades of each pair of adjacent magnets are face to face through a magnetically permeable material and there n There is no specific restriction on the number of magnets used and the way they are combined. However, all the strong magnets used must have substantially the same configuration in cross section and the same dimensions. The dimensions in the longitudinal direction (magnetization) do not necessarily have to be the same. For the configuration in cross section, for example, one can use a circular contours, elliptical to square but a configuration in square or rectangular cross section is generally practical.

 More particularly, the configuration in cross section of the magnets must be substantially the same as that of the magnetically permeable material while the length of each magnet can be chosen as desired within a range such that the magnetic flux is not saturated relative to the external peripheral surface.

 For the magnetically permeable material which is interposed between the identical batteries of each pair of adjacent magnets, it is possible to use a metal chosen from iron, nickel, cobalt and alloys containing these metals, but it is generally advantageous to '' use iron or mild steel.

 As the magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention allows an appropriate choice of the dimensions of the strong magnets constituting it, it is possible to increase as desired the number of magnets constituting it for the same configuration and the same dimensions of the devices. magnetic therapy.

 In general terms, for magnetic therapeutic devices of the same configuration and of the same dimensions, the greater the number of strong magnets constituting it, that is to say the greater the number of magnetic circuits, the greater the effect. Consequently, the therapeutic effect offered by this embodiment of the present invention is greater than that offered by the first and second embodiments, since the magnetic therapeutic device according to this embodiment of the present invention has a greater number of magnetic circuits per unit area relative to the devices according to the first and second embodiments.

 In the present invention, the area of the face which is to be brought into contact with the human body must be at least 1 cm and this area is suitably chosen to be 2 cm or more and less than 200 cm 2, which is as in the first and second embodiments of the invention.

 In the first embodiment, the present inventors have proposed a magnetic therapeutic device comprising two strong magnets, each having a single large contact surface. However, as the optimal contact area depends on each individual user and the kind of affected part, it is necessary, in order to comply with each case, to provide a large number of magnetic therapeutic devices having a wide variety of surfaces. From this point of view, as the present embodiment makes it possible to combine a certain number of magnets as desired, if one prepares, for example, a kind of magnetically permeable materials which have the same configuration in cross section and some different kinds of magnets having different contact surfaces, the device can conveniently conform to affected parts of any size.

 The configuration of the therapeutic device, the density of magnetic flux at the contact surface and the type of magnets used in this invention are similar to those of the first and second embodiments described above.

 In the present invention, if one simply combines a number of strong magnets so as to obtain a large contact surface, the device can have a satisfactory therapeutic effect. However, if the entire combination of magnets is covered with a protective organ in a unit, this is advantageous from the point of view of use, handling and therapeutic effect, which is identical to the case of the first and second embodiments above. described above. The kind, arrangement and use of the protective member are also completely identical to those of the first and second embodiments.

The effective functional mechanism of the magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention can be considered as that of the first embodiment with regard to the fact that the contact area is enlarged. However, as in this embodiment, a number of strong magnets are combined so that the identical poles of each pair of adjacent magnets are face to face through a magnetically permeable material, a number is formed magnetic circuits and strong lines of magnetic force extend circumferentially from the magnetically permeable material interposed between each pair of adjacent magnets. The lines of magnetic force are therefore considered to act inside the body
of the patient through the contact surface, more strongly than when using a single magnet. In addition, it is possible to apply a magnetic treatment to an optimal surface because one combines a certain number of magnets in an appropriate way as for the second moee de realisa: icn ee l'lnvenrion
The magnetic therapeutic device according to the fourth practical embodiment of the present invention comprises a contact surface which must be brought into contact with the human body, said surface having the form of a number of protuberances which define north and south pale alternately arranged.

 The protruding magnetic blades can be formed on the contact surface, for example, by magnetizing, dividing it, an integrally formed part or by assembling unit magnets, each having a pair of north and south blades or unit magnets, each having a number of pale pairs. It is also practical to adopt a method in which the magnet portion and the protruding portion are first formed separately from each other and then are combined into a unit. If the protruding portion is made of a magnetically permeable material and is combined with the magnet portion, the magnetic therapeutic device can be easily manipulated and the therapeutic effect is even more remarkable.Moreover, the various methods which follow can s apply to the present invention.

 As the magnet according to the present invention has protruding magnetic poles which define north and south blades alternately arranged on the contact surface which is to be brought into contact with the human body, the protruding part bites deeply into the contact part of the patient's body, i.e. the affected part or the therapeutic point and the protruding part stimulated the body and forces the magnetic lines of force to act strongly on the affected part. More particularly, it is considered that, as the magnet according to the present invention has a certain number of magnetic blades in protuberance, the density of magnetic flux near each protuberance is increased in comparison with the structure of the magnet which has no protuberance 2 in time, the protruding poles form a number of magnetic circuits. Thus, the therapeutic effect of the device according to the present invention is much greater than that offered by the prior art.

 When the present invention is put into practice, a satisfactory therapeutic effect can be expected if several to several tens of magnetic blades are projected in protrusion per contact area of 1 cm 2, although there is no specific restriction on the number of protruding magnetic blades, as long as they can be produced. In particular, when four protruding magnetic blades are formed on the contact surface, this is convenient for production and handling. In this case, the area of the contact area to be contacted with the human body can be set as desired depending on the area of the treated part of the patient's body. There is no specific restriction on the configuration of the contact surface and it can have the shape of a circle, an ellipse, a ring (of toroidal shape), a rectangle, a hexagon or an octagon, in addition of the square configuration above described. There is no specific restriction on the configuration or the number of protrusions, but it is generally appropriate to set the height of the protrusions at 10mm or less. As regards the configuration of the protrusions, it is possible to adopt conical, columnar and pyamide configurations as well as their trunks, like a frustoconical configuration.

It is particularly practical, for the stimulation of therapeutic points, that each pale magnetic protrusion has the shape of a rounded cone having a diameter of approximately 1 to 2 mm and a height of approximately 3 to 7 mm. There is no specific restriction on the space between the protruding magnetic poles and it is nicely preferable to distribute the protruding magnetic poles uniformly over the contact surface at intervals of about 3 to 7 mm. In the case where the protruding blades have the shape of a trunk, if the space between each pair of adjacent poles is reduced, the protruding poles can define a structure which is similar to a plate having a flat surface which is provided Even in this case, the density of magnetic flux is greater than that of a flat surface without slots. In addition, since such truncated magnetic blades can be easily produced, this magnetic structure is advantageous. The protrusions described above and the magnetic blades do not necessarily have to be a one-to-one correspondence to each other, and a number of protrusions can define each north or south magnetic polish. In some cases, such an arrangement is even more practical for production.

 As described above, the magnet according to the present invention can be produced by magnetizing, dividing, a simple magnet so that a certain number of north and south blades are alternately arranged and it is also possible to forming the magnet according to the present invention by combining together a certain number of unit magnets, each having a single pair of north and south blades or else a number of unit magnets, each having a number of pairs of blades (such as four magnetic blades), and assembling them so that the north and south blades are alternately arranged on the contact surface. In this case, the unit magnets can be connected to each other in a unit by a generally known method or by the methods mentioned in the description of the second embodiment. More particularly, it is possible to advantageously use a method in which the unit magnets are fixed to each other using an adhesive, a method in which the magnets are covered with a sheet of a non-magnetically permeable material, for example , stainless steel, aluminum or an alloy containing aluminum, copper or an alloy containing copper and a method in which the magnets are fixed by being covered by a protective member which can be formed by a material chosen from plastics, rubbers, leather, paper and a woven fabric.

Practical examples of plastics and rubbers are the same as those mentioned in the description of the first embodiment and many plastics and rubbers can be used in this embodiment.

 In the case where the magnet according to the present invention is formed by magnetizing, dividing, a single magnet, a protective member can also be advantageously used in the same way as that which was mentioned in the description of the first embodiment, to facilitate handling of the magnet.

 It is also effective to cover an appropriate part of the surface of the magnet, such as its lower surface, with a sheet, a film, a plate or the like in a magnetically permeable material chosen from iron, nickel, cobalt and alloys containing these metals to increase the density of magnetic flux at the contact surface and to protect as well as strengthen the magnet. It is also possible to use a plastic magnet to constitute the assembly, and this arrangement is even more advantageous from the economic point of view. Although the magnet described above according to the present invention is formed of unitary magnets combined in a unit, it is not always necessary to form the entire structure only in unitary magnets, but the arrangement can be such that the part alone in projection is formed in a magnet and the substrate is formed in a magnetically material permeable or else the arrangement may be such that the protruding part is formed of a magnetically permeable material and that the substrate is formed of a magnet. In the first case, if each of the protuberances is defined, for example, by a frustoconical magnet having either the north or south pole, magnetic blades in protuberance can be placed on the substrate with a desired distribution and at desired intervals while, in the latter case, it is possible to provide a desired number of protrusions on the same pole and therefore this arrangement can be even more effective for treatment according to the conditions of the affected part. If the protruding part is formed of a material magnetically permeable having a high saturation magnetization value such as mild steel, the magnetic flux density at the protrusions can be increased to improve the therapeutic effect compared to the arrangement where the entire structure is formed of unit magnets combined in one unit. It is not always necessary that the protruding part is formed from a magnetically permeable material, but it is also possible to produce the protruding part using stainless steel, an aluminum-containing alloy, a plastic material. or a ceramic material, so that the stimulation of the affected part and the action of the lines of magnetic force are shared between the two parts. Such an arrangement makes it possible to apply stimulation to the human body in an increased number of ways, for example, you can gently apply the magnet to the affected area. If the height of the protruding part is set at a relatively low value, there is substantially no lowering of the effect of the lines of magnetic force produced by the magnet which defines the substrate. By varying said height, it is possible to control the intensity of the magnetic lines of force and also to produce various other advantageous effects. For example, if the arrangement described above is applied to the soles of slippers or shoes, it is possible to produce an effect similar to that obtained by "walking on a green bamboo", and the action of the lines of magnetic force. is added to this favorable effect.

Consequently, it is possible to expect an improvement in the health of the user and an improvement in his physical resistance. If a similar arrangement is applied to a headband, body bandage, corset or the like, which are continuously placed in contact with the human body, the favorable effects described above can be expected. For these uses, it is particularly advantageous to form the entire structure using the plastic magnet described above.

 In the case where the magnet according to the present invention is formed of a number of unitary magnets, a material which is chosen from various magnetically permeable materials and non-magnetically permeable materials can be interposed between each pair of adjacent magnets. In certain cases, such an arrangement increases the density of magnetic flux or makes it possible to advantageously control the density of flux.

 There is no specific restriction on the type of magnet which can be used in the present invention, and it is possible to choose this magnet from those which are generally marketed and used, such as ferrite magnets, alnico magnets, rare earth magnets and plastic magnets using them. Among them, the rare earth magnets are particularly advantageous because they have a high magnetic force and therefore it is advantageously possible to reduce the dimension.

 When the magnet according to the present invention is used for magnetic therapy it can be pressed, by hand, against the affected part. When the contact surface of the magnet is relatively small, the magnet can be attached to the affected part using an adhesive tape or the like, thereby advantageously allowing the magnet to be used for a long period of time.

 The composite magnet according to the fifth practical embodiment of the invention comprises four magnets having substantially the same configuration in rectangular parallelepiped, which are arranged so that the faces of the north and south blades are arranged alternately in point symmetry with each other. others with respect to the center of the four magnets combined by looking along a plane which is perpendicular to the direction of magnetization, Preferably, a number of said composite magnets are combined three-dimensionally, each composite magnet being used in one unit. More particularly, four magnets of the same configuration are combined so that the faces of the north and south poles are arranged as shown in the drawings described later. Subsequently, four magnets are glued together in a unit but it is also possible to magnetize only one magnet in rectangular parallelepiped so that the faces of the north and south blades are alternately arranged in point symmetry with each other with respect to the center of the magnet, thus finishing a magnet having the same arrangement as that of the composite magnet above described. This other form is also incorporated in the technical field of the present invention. In the case where a number of composite magnets according to the present invention, which have the arrangement described above, are used in an assembly, when two of the composite magnets are placed so that their respective surfaces which are of the same force, that is to say which have the same surface, are brought into contact with each other, these surfaces inevitably attract each other and no force of repulsion takes place between them. More particularly, since each composite magnet is a rectangular parallelepiped, it has three different kinds of surface, each consisting of two surfaces.

In the case of the present invention, when two composite magnets are brought together, without considering the sides of the magnets which face each other, the force of attraction always acts between their respective surfaces which are brought into contact with each other as long that these surfaces are of the same kind. Although it is commonly accepted that two magnets inevitably attract and repel each other by their predetermined surfaces, respectively, composite magnets according to the present invention always attract and no repelling force acts between them, which is a remarkable phenomenon which contradicts the current idea.

 Magnets have hitherto been used for a wide variety of uses in order to use the force of attraction or the magnetism thus produced, and it is general practice to use a single magnet in the case where a force very significant attraction or magnetic is not necessary. When a very large attraction or magnetic force is required, or when a large area of attraction or area of action of the magnetic force is required, a single magnet cannot satisfy these conditions, and one uses a number of magnets in combination, in which case a number of magnets can be combined so that unit magnets which have a predetermined dimension are produced and these unit magnets are assembled, one by one, their blades north and south being arranged alternately and adjacent to each other. When the required level of attraction force or the required size of the area of action of the magnetic force is reached, the unit magnets are connected in one unit by various methods in order to use them as a single composite magnet. in this case, a magnetically permeable material such as iron, nickel or an alloy can be deposited between each pair of adjacent unit magnets to form the magnetic circuits necessary to control the level of magnetic action on the object or to facilitate the operations of attraction and separation. With regard to these points, this embodiment is the same as the second and third mentioned above.

 However, when combining a number of unit magnets which are prepared according to the methods mentioned in the description of the second and third embodiments, in order to use them as a composite magnet, it is necessary to check the direction of magnetization (i.e. north and south pale) of each unitary magnet, inconveniently. In particular, when unit magnets have a large dimension, or when they are rare earth magnets which have a high magnetic force, the weight of each unit magnet and the levels of their forces of attraction and repulsion must be estimated and it is tedious to handle them. As a result, the composite magnet cannot easily be assembled, disassembled and detached.

 In each case of conventional simple magnets or composite magnets assembled by the method described above, if two unit magnets are handled without distinction, a repulsive force acts between surfaces of the same kind, while a force d attraction acts between surfaces of different kinds. This means that as the number of unit magnets to be combined increases, assembly becomes more tedious. In other words, when a large attraction force or a large area of action of the magnetic force is necessary in real use, the handling of the unit magnets is all the more tedious. as a magnetic therapeutic device for medical treatment which uses magnetism, it is common practice to employ a pair or group of composite magnets, each consisting of a number of unitary magnets to enhance the therapeutic effect . In such a case, the unit magnets are suitably combined or detached from each other in order to impart a large magnetic force to each composite magnet or to produce an action area (contact area) which may be suitable for a particular affected party. As a result, the repelling or pulling force that acts between the unit magnets is strong and the handling of the unit magnets is even more tedious. In many cases, magnetic therapeutic devices are used by people who have poor sight and relatively weak physical strength. Consequently, it is difficult for them to combine unit magnets which are heavy and have a strong repulsive or attractive force, and it is likely that they will pinch their hands or the skin, by mistake, between the unit magnets. Consequently, it has hitherto been desired to develop an easy-to-handle magnetic therapeutic device. Under these circumstances, the present inventors have carried out exhaustive studies and have reached the present invention which overcomes all the problems which have been suffered during the manipulation of the prior art.

 When it is necessary to use a certain number of composite magnets according to the present invention in a group, the magnets are assembled in a necessary dimension by combining them in succession so that the respective surfaces having the same area are brought into contact with each other with others in order to attract and adhere to each other.

 The characteristic of the composite magnets according to the present invention resides in the fact that the force of attraction always acts between the opposite surfaces of two magnets and that no repelling force acts between them, whatever the sides of the magnets which are face each other, as long as these surfaces are those that have the same area. The principle on which the present invention is based is not very difficult to understand. More particularly, when two composite magnets, each of which defines a very small unit consisting of four magnets of the same configuration. Are placed side by side with the surfaces of the same area and facing each other, the faces of the north and south blades are inevitably arranged alternately around the center of each composite magnet and even when it is rotated from 1800 in the same plane, the arrangement of the faces of the blades is the same as before rotation. In other words, there is no change in circumstances, so when these composite magnets come into contact with each other, they always attract and adhere to each other. because the north and south pale faces inevitably face each other, regardless of the direction of each magnet. Although the two other different kinds of surface are not perpendicular to the direction of orientation of the magnetic field, two surfaces of the same kind are likewise in north and south relationship to each other. Therefore, when two composite magnets are brought into contact with each other by these surfaces (those with the same area), the surfaces inevitably attract and adhere to each other. case of two composite magnets where the four magnets are combined so that the north and south blades are in mirror image relation (i.e. line symmetry) to each other, these composite magnets adhere magnetically to each other while being offset from each other at a considerable point, rather than being aligned with each other as in the case of the above. By Therefore, when a number of composite magnets according to the present invention are used in a set, it is preferable to form the set of composite magnets, each consisting of unitary magnets which are combined in point symmetry.

In the case where composite magnets of the type described above are combined three-dimensionally, that is to say in X, Y and Z directions, when the surfaces of the same area are placed along the same plane, the faces of the poles having opposite polarities inevitably face each other and the magnets therefore attract and adhere to each other without any fear that a force of repulsion will act between them.

 Thus, the composite magnets according to the present invention have the unique nature of always attracting and adhering to each other and that no repulsive force acts between them. Accordingly, the present invention can be used in many fields. More particularly, the composite magnets according to the present invention can be used as means which are more practical than conventional magnets, for example, connection, fixing and clamping means for industrial use, teaching materials, toys, games, sports equipment etc. On the other hand, when the composite magnet according to the present invention is used, for example, as a magnetic therapeutic device which uses magnetism, the level of the force of attraction and the size of the area of Magnetic force action of the magnet can be adjusted as desired according to a particular objective and purpose, and it is easy to handle the unit magnets when the magnet is assembled, disassembled or detached. Thus, the magnetic therapeutic device is considerably practical. It can be expected that the composite magnet according to the present invention will be used in various other fields.

 There is no specific restriction on the kind of magnet which can be used in the present invention and all magnets which are generally marketed can be used, for example, ferrite magnets, alnico magnets and rare earth magnets. Among them, rare earth magnets are particularly advantageously used because they have a high magnetic force and therefore it is possible to reduce the size. There is no specific restriction on the size of the unit magnets provided that they are producible, and the size of the unit magnets can be chosen as desired according to each individual use. However, if the size of the unit magnets is excessively large, this can undesirably limit the extent to which they can be combined to achieve the required level of magnetic force. Consequently, the dimension of the unit magnets is preferably chosen to be in the range between several millimeters and several tens of millimeters.

 The composite magnet according to the present invention is particularly advantageously used as a magnetic therapeutic device because it can overcome various drawbacks of the prior art. In this case, there is no specific restriction on the size of each of the four unit magnets, and the size of the unit magnets can be determined in order to be suitable for a particular treatment. For example, if the affected part to which the device is to be applied is limited to an excessively narrow extent, it is better to use a composite magnet which is arranged to be as small as possible. By doing so, when the device is to be applied to an affected part which is slightly larger than the above, it is possible to immediately respond to the situation by adding an appropriate number of unit magnets to the composite magnet previously arranged according to the dimension of the affected part, which is very practical. When the affected part which requires medical treatment is relatively large, or when a magnet having a relatively large contact area is required, if several different kinds of unitary composite magnet which have the same area are prepared, they can be combined appropriately and it is therefore possible to reduce the number of unit magnets to be used. In each case, since the composite magnet according to the present invention has a certain number of magnetic circuits, the magnet produces a greater magnetic force and therefore a greater attraction force than in the case of a simple magnet having the same area. In other words, to obtain the same level of magnetic force, the area can be reduced correspondingly and therefore this is practical from an economic point of view.

 In the case where the composite magnet according to the present invention is used as a magnetic therapeutic device, it is preferable to allow easy distinction of the position of the center of the magnet when the device is brought into contact with the affected part because many people who use such devices have poor eyesight as described above.

For this purpose, a number of small protrusions can be provided on the opposite side of the device from the contact surface and close to the center of the combination of the unit magnets, so that the center of the device can be easily distinguished and that the device can be brought into precise contact with the essential point of the affected part. The arrangement described above is particularly effective in the case where a number of composite magnets, each consisting of four unit magnets, are combined horizontally and the contact surface is therefore relatively large. Although there is no specific restriction on the number of protrusions, it is usually practical to provide four protrusions in the center. Another advantage of these protrusions is that in many cases it is difficult to separate the stacked composite magnets from each other, but the provided protrusions allow the stacked magnets to be separated from each other very easily. If such protrusions are provided on the contact surface and which are pressed against the affected part, the therapeutic point is thus stimulated, thus producing a favorable effect similar to that mentioned in the description of the fourth embodiment. The protrusions are preferably in the form of a round cone having a diameter of about 2 to 4 mm and a height of about 1 to 2 mm. There is no specific restriction on the method of forming the protrusions. For example, such protrusions may be provided on a protective member, such as aluminum foil, which covers a composite magnet, therefore the protrusions may be arranged in a predetermined position. The protective member is preferably coated with a plastic material or the like for the same reason as in the case of the protective member which will be described below.

 A composite magnet according to the present invention, which defines a unit, consists of four unit magnets which can be connected by a generally known method or the methods mentioned in the description of the second embodiment. More particularly, it is possible to advantageously use a method in which the unit magnets are fixed to each other using an adhesive, a method in which the magnets are covered with a sheet of a non-magnetically permeable material, for example , stainless steel, aluminum, an alloy containing aluminum, copper or an alloy containing copper and a method in which the magnets are fixed by being coated with a protective member which can be formed by a material chosen from plastics, rubbers, leather, paper and a woven fabric.

Practical examples of plastics and rubbers are the same as those mentioned in the description of the first embodiment, and many plastics and rubbers can be used in this embodiment.

 The protective organ can be used in various forms. The simplest method of using a non-magnetically permeable material for the protective member is to coat the entire composite magnet with the material. The coating strengthens the composite magnet to prevent it from being damaged during handling, and also allows the magnet to be gently applied to the skin of the treatment user, thereby facilitating the therapeutic, advantageously.

 In addition, it is also possible to employ various other coating methods such as metal plating, composite plating and dip coating with fluidization of a plastic powder, as well as an adaptation method using a protective member, as was mentioned in the description of the first embodiment.

 It is also possible, when the composite magnet of the present invention is formed, to interpose a sheet or the like in a magnetically permeable material chosen from iron, nickel, cobalt and alloys containing these metals between each pair of adjacent unit magnets constituting the composite magnet in order to increase the density of magnetic flux at the contact surface and to reinforce the magnet.

 The composite magnet according to the sixth practical embodiment of the present invention comprises a prime number of magnets having a configuration substantially in rectangular parallelepiped where the respective surfaces of the magnets which are perpendicular to the direction of magnetization have the same shape, the magnets being combined so that the faces of the north and south blades are arranged alternately. In another form, a number of said composite magnets are combined three-dimensionally to form a composite magnet. More particularly, a prime number (2, 3, 5 ...) of magnets having the same shape, are combined so that the faces of the north and south blades are arranged alternately as shown in the attached drawings (described below). -after).

 It is also possible to magnetize a single magnet in a rectangular parallelepiped. So that the faces of the north and south poles are arranged alternately, thereby finishing a magnet having the same arrangement as that of the composite magnet described above. This other form is also incorporated in the technical field of the present invention. In the case where a number of composite magnets according to the present invention, having the arrangement described above, are used in a group or together, the composite magnets can be combined so that when their respective surfaces which are of the same sort, that is to say which have the same surface area, are brought into contact with one another, these surfaces inevitably attract each other without any force of repulsion acting between them.

 In the case of the present invention, when a prime number of unitary magnets is arranged in a rectangular parallelepiped in a row, two different kinds of combination of magnetic blades are usually formed. If these two different kinds of combination are differentiated from each other by a means which will be described later, they can be handled in the same way as the composite magnet according to the fifth embodiment, which consists of four magnets unitary.

 Since each composite magnet is a rectangular parallelepiped, it has three different kinds of surface, each consisting of two surfaces. In the case of the present invention, when two composite magnets are brought together, without considering the sides of the magnets which face each other, a force of attraction always acts between the respective surfaces which are brought into contact with each other as long that these surfaces are of the same kind. Although it is a commonly accepted idea that two magnets inevitably attract and repel by their predetermined surfaces respectively, when two different kinds of composite magnet according to the present invention, which are made differentiable from each other, are combined, they always attract each other and no force of repulsion acts between them. Consequently, it is possible to easily handle the composite magnets according to the present invention.

 When a certain number of composite magnets according to the present invention are to be used in a group, the magnets are assembled to a necessary dimension by combining them successively so that the respective surfaces having the same area are brought into contact with each other. others in order to attract as described above.

 The characteristic of the composite magnets according to the present invention resides in the fact that the force of attraction always acts between the opposite surfaces of two different kinds of combinations of magnetic blades and that no force of repulsion acts between them, whatever the sides of the magnets that face each other, as long as these surfaces are those that have the same area.

The principle on which the present invention is based is not very difficult to understand. More particularly, when two composite magnets, each of which defines a very small unit consisting of a prime number of magnets of the same configuration, are placed side by side with the surfaces of the same area facing each other, the faces of the north poles and south are inevitably arranged in an alternating manner, and even when turning on 1800 in the same plane, the arrangement of the faces of the blades is the same as that before the rotation. Consequently, when these composite magnets are brought into contact so that the faces of the blades having opposite polarities are face to face by virtue of the means of distinction described above, they always attract and adhere.6 Although the two other kinds of surface are not perpendicular to the direction of orientation of the magnetic field, two surfaces of the same kind (that is to say of the same area) are similarly in the north and south relationship to each other. Therefore, when these surfaces are brought into contact with each other, they always attract and adhere to each other. In order to distinguish between the two different kinds of combinations, it is preferable , for example, placing different colors only on the respective upper surfaces of the unit magnets as shown in the accompanying drawings (described below) in order to serve as the means of distinction described above; making it easy to combine a number of composite magnets.

 When these two different kinds of composite magnet are used as unitary composite magnets and if they are combined three-dimensionally, i.e. in the X, Y and Z directions, the composite magnets always attract each other. they are placed along the same plane with the respective surfaces of the same area facing each other and without any error in this distinction and it is therefore possible to form a composite magnet having a desired dimension.

It is also possible to use the composite magnet thus arranged as a unit and to combine a number of these composite magnets to form a larger composite magnet. In particular, when each of the unit magnets has a pair of pale faces on each side, a pair of these unit magnets can be combined to form a composite magnet having four pale faces on each side, and a larger composite magnet can be formed using these composite magnets as units. In such a case, it is necessary to adopt a means of distinction such as that described above.

 Thus, if the means of distinction or differentiation is provided, the composite magnet according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention can be manipulated and used in the same way as the composite magnet according to the fifth embodiment. For example, the composite magnet according to this embodiment can likewise be used as a magnetic therapeutic device.

If several different kinds of unit magnet having surfaces of the same area such as 1 mm2, 2 mm2 and 3 mm2 or 1 cm2, 2 cm2 and 3 cm2, are prepared in order to produce a magnet having an appropriate contact area depending on the area of the affected part which requires medical treatment, it is possible to combine an appropriate number of unit magnets, it is therefore possible to minimize the total number of unit magnets to be used.

 In each case, since the composite magnet according to the sixth embodiment of the invention has a certain number of magnetic circuits, it can produce a greater magnetic force and consequently a greater attraction force than those of a single magnet with the same area. In other words, to obtain the same level of magnetic force the area can be reduced correspondingly, which is advantageous from the economic point of view.

 As the composite magnet according to this invention can have magnetic circuits which are different from those of the composite magnet according to the fifth embodiment of the invention which consists of four unit magnets, an even greater therapeutic effect can be produced as will be shown in the therapeutic examples described later, although the functional mechanism of the present invention has not yet been clarified. The composite magnet according to the present invention which defines a unit is composed of a prime number of unit magnets, and two different kinds of combination of faces of magnetic blades are inevitably produced as described above.

For example, when three unit magnets are combined, two different kinds of combination of pale faces such as N-S-N and S-N-S, must be made differentiable by some effective means. If, for example, two different colors, such as red and white for N and S, respectively, are painted on the alternating upper surfaces of the unit magnets, which upper surfaces are perpendicular to the direction of magnetization, the two different kinds of combination can easily be distinguished from each other by examining only the upper surfaces. It is understood that, when a rectangular parallelepiped is turned over, the other kind of pole face appears on the upper side of the parallelepiped and therefore it suffices to prepare only one kind of unit magnets.

It is common practice, for the handling of unit magnets, that they are divided into two groups after production and two groups are respectively painted in two different colors (for example the faces of the north poles alone can be painted or the faces north and south poles can be painted in two different colors, respectively) and when unit magnets are combined into one unit, they are covered with a transparent protective member.

When an opaque protective member is used, it is preferable not to cover the entire composite magnet but to leave one side of the protective member exposed in order to allow the distinction. In addition to the use of different colors, it is possible to appropriately use other means, for example, a groove or a protuberance only on the face of the pale north.

 Unit magnets can be connected together in a unit by any method chosen from those mentioned in the description of the first to fifth embodiments, for example, a method in which an adhesive is used to rigidly fix the combined unit magnets. Likewise, various kinds of protective organ can be used in order to reinforce the composite magnet and also to allow the magnet to be gently applied to the skin of the user in treatment, thereby facilitating the therapeutic operation, advantageously, as has been mentioned in the description of the preceding embodiments.

In addition, it is also possible to employ various other coating methods such as metal plating, composite plating and immersion coating with fluidization of a plastic powder, as well as an adaptation method using a member protective, as mentioned in the description of the first to fifth embodiments.

 In the sixth embodiment, the unit magnets can be connected in a particularly simple manner, in a unit, by covering the combined unit magnets, which have already been provided with the means of distinction, with a transparent protective member.

Among various means of protection, a protective member which is formed by an immersion coating with fluidization of a transparent plastic powder is particularly practical. In the case where an opaque protective member is used, it is necessary to allow two different kinds of composite magnet to be distinguished. In each case, some consideration is necessary to prevent the means of distinction from being interfered with by a protective organ.

 The flat magnet according to the seventh practical embodiment of the present invention comprises a magnet having a substantially plate-like configuration, the magnet being magnetized in a direction perpendicular to its surface so that a number of pale faces north and south are alternately arranged on this surface. In another form, a number of flat magnets are used in units and stacked to define a composite flat magnet.

 The faces of the magnetic blades can be formed by combining unitary flat magnets having the same configuration or by magnetizing, dividing, a single flat magnet so that a number of magnetic blades are formed on the surface of the magnet.

 More particularly, the faces of the magnetic blades can be formed by using a certain number of unitary flat magnets of the same polygonal configuration, for example, a triangular, rectangular, square, rhombic, parallelogram or hexagonal configuration. It is also possible to combine unitary flat magnets having different configurations. In short, the present invention relates to magnetic structures where a flat magnet is divided by a number of boundary lines so that the divided regions are arranged around a point.

Consequently, there is no specific restriction on the configuration of the magnetic polar faces and it is possible to use various configurations, for example, polygonal, circular, elliptical and toroidal configurations. In short, it is possible to combine a number of unitary flat magnets provided that they can cover one side of a magnetic pole having a particular configuration without any space, and it is also possible to magnetize, by dividing it, a single flat magnet to form a number of magnetic blades.

 In the case where a number of flat magnets according to the present invention, which have the arrangement described above, are used in a set, when two of the flat magnets of the same configuration are stacked, the force of attraction always acts between them, whatever the sides of the magnets which are brought into contact.

Even when the two flat magnets do not have the same configuration, If their boundary lines between the north and south poles coincide, they still attract and adhere to each other and no force of repulsion acts between them .

 Although it is commonly accepted that two magnets inevitably attract and repel each other by their predetermined surfaces, respectively, two flat magnets according to the present invention always attract and adhere to each other and no force of repulsion n 'acts between them, which is a remarkable phenomenon which rejects the current idea. Consequently, when a number of flat magnets according to the present invention are used in the form of a stack, it is possible to obtain the required level of magnetic force and attractive force, simply by stacking them as we wish. If two desired flat magnets are placed together, the force of attraction always acts between them, whatever the sides of the magnets which are brought into contact.

 Thus, when flat magnets according to the present invention are brought together, they always attract and adhere to one another and no repulsive force acts between them, whatever the faces of the magnetic blades of the magnets which are brought into contact with each other, provided that the flat magnets have the same configuration or that the boundary lines between the magnetic blades of the magnets coincide. The principle of this phenomenon can be considered as follows. When two magnets having the same configuration are brought into contact with each other, the most stable energy condition of the system is usually reached when the opposite blades (north and south poles) of the opposite surfaces are in close contact l As a result, when the north and south poles are arranged face to face, they attract and adhere to each other and the two magnets are eventually stabilized in this stationary state. As a result, while the pale faces north and south. respective of two simple magnets having the same configuration are brought together, they attract to adhere to each other and find themselves regularly stabilized. Furthermore, while the faces of identical magnetic blades, that is to say the north blades or the south blades, are brought together, they repel each other and never come in close contact with each other, therefore the magnets cannot be stabilized. In this case, if one of the magnets can move, it rotates 1800 and the faces of the opposite magnetic blades of the two magnets attract and come into close contact with each other and the magnets are eventually stabilized . This shows that the forces of repulsion and attraction act to place the two magnets in the most stable condition.

 In the flat magnet according to the present invention, a number of north and south pale faces are alternately arranged on the flat surface. Consequently, when the faces of the magnetic blades of two flat magnets are brought together, no repulsion force acts so as to force a magnet to rotate over 1800 as described above, but the flat magnets move in a plane which is parallel to the faces of the magnetic blades then find themselves gently stabilized in the state of close contact at the position where the opposite blades face each other. In other words, the flat magnets can be stacked. In this case, for the faces of the magnetic blades having the same area, while the number of north and south blades of the faces of the magnetic blades increases, the faces of the opposite magnetic blades two flat magnets come into close contact and are even more regularly stabilized. If the number of these north and south blades increases indefinitely, two flat magnets can come into close contact with each other and be stabilized without it being necessary to move from the position where the faces of the magnetic blades are first arranged in a face to face relationship. For example, a flat disc-shaped magnet can rotate on 3600 / n (n: the number of magnetic blades).

More particularly, when the number of magnetic blades is 2, 4 and 8, the magnet can rotate on 1800, 900 and 450 at most, respectively. As a result, as n increases, the range over which the magnet can rotate decreases.

 When the present invention is put into practice, there is no specific restriction on the configuration of the faces of the magnetic blades and various configurations such as circular, elliptical, annular (toroidal) configurations square, rectangular, hexagonal and octagonal can conveniently be used. There is also no specific restriction on the size and area of the faces of the magnetic blades, provided that they can be produced, and the size of the unit magnets can be chosen as desired according to each individual use.

However, if the size of the faces of the magnetic blades is excessively large, this may undesirably limit the extent to which they can be combined to obtain the required level of magnetic force. Consequently, the diameter of the faces of the magnetic poles is preferably chosen to be between several millimeters and several tens of millimeters.

In many cases, the surface area of the magnetic poles is also restricted by the use of the flat magnet which can be used for medical treatment, manual work, toys, household items, learning materials. , clothing, etc., which are the applicable fields of the present invention.

 There is no specific restriction on the configuration of the flat magnets according to the present invention, provided that they have configurations that are substantially flat in shape. However, a flat magnet with a thickness that is smaller than half the minor axis is generally used. It is understood that a flat magnet which is as thin as a film is useless.

Therefore, it is necessary to produce a flat magnet of a size and thickness suitable for a particular use.

 When a circular or annular configuration (in the shape of a torus) is adopted as the configuration of the magnetic paddle faces of the flat magnet according to the present invention, it is preferable to arrange the faces of the north and south polos alternately. point symmetry with respect to the center of the magnet as shown in Figures 45 and 46 (described below).

Such an arrangement makes it possible to attract two flat magnets and to put them in close contact with one another in an even more regular manner, even if the number of magnetic poles is relatively small, and is therefore particularly advantageous compared to other layouts. There is no specific restriction on the configuration of the faces of the north and south poles defining a certain number of poles. However, when a flat magnet is formed by combining a number of unit magnets, a configuration which is obtained by also dividing a polygon such as a triangle, a square or a sector into n parts (n: even number ) is advantageous. In the case where a face of magnetic poles is formed by magnetization by dividing, the configuration described above is preferable because it is easily subjected to magnetization by dividing.

 The flat magnet according to the present invention is particularly advantageously used as a magnetic therapeutic device because it is possible to overcome the various drawbacks of the prior art.

 More particularly, various treatments have hitherto been proposed for a magnetic therapy which uses a magnet and in the methods proposed, it is common practice to use a single magnet having a pair of north and south pole faces.

In the simplest method of treatment, the north pole of this single magnet is applied to the skin of the affected part and is fixed using an adhesive tape or the like. However, as various magnetic therapeutic methods have been proposed and discussed, there is a growing tendency to admit that a therapeutic method where the north pole of a single magnet is brought into contact with the skin of the affected part and the pale south another magnet is placed adjacent to this pale north is also effective.

 When the flat magnet according to the present invention is used as a magnetic therapeutic device, as the contact surface of the magnet is defined by a face of magnetic blades where a number of north and south blade faces are formed, the device has excellent therapeutic effects and is easy to handle. In addition, as it is possible to adjust the intensity of magnetism at the contact surface and the number of faces of the north and south poles according to the need, the device is considerably effective for magnetic therapy.

 Another great characteristic of the flat magnet according to the present invention resides in the fact that it can be used as a substrate for a magnetic therapeutic device according to the fourth embodiment of the invention where the protruding part is formed made of a magnetically permeable material.

 The flat magnet according to the present invention which defines a unit can be produced by magnetizing a single magnet or simple magnet by dividing it so that a certain number of magnetic poles north and south are alternately arranged on each face of magnetic poles of the magnet, and it is also possible to form the flat magnet according to the present invention by combining a number of unit magnets, each having a single pair of north and south blades so that the north and south blades are alternately arranged on each side of magnetic blades. In this case, the unit magnets can be connected into a unit by a generally known method or the methods mentioned in the description of the preceding embodiments. More particularly, it is possible to advantageously use a method where the unit magnets are fixed to each other using an adhesive, a method where the magnets are covered with a sheet of a non-magnetically permeable material, for example of stainless steel, aluminum, an alloy containing aluminum, copper or an alloy containing copper and a method in which the magnets are fixed by being coated with a protective member which can be formed from a chosen material among plastics, rubbers, leather, paper and a woven fabric; in addition, it is also possible to employ various other coating methods such as metal plating, composite plating and dip coating with fluidization of a plastic powder, as well as a method of adaptation using a protective member, as mentioned in the description of the above embodiments.

 It can also be effective, to form the flat magnet according to the present invention, to interpose a sheet or the like in a magnetically permeable material chosen from iron, nickel, cobalt and alloys containing these metals between each pair of adjacent unit magnets constituting the flat magnet and also covering the surfaces of the magnet with the exception of the contact surface of such a sheet, or the like, in order to increase the density of magnetic flux at the contact surface and strengthen the composite magnet.

 Thus, the flat magnets according to the present invention have the unique nature of always attracting each other and no force of repulsion acts between them. Accordingly, the present invention can be used in many fields. More particularly, the composite magnet according to the present invention can be used as more practical means than conventional magnets, for example, connection, fixing and clamping means for industrial use, learning materials, toys, games, sports equipment. etc.For example, flat magnets can be used in place of buttons, hooks or fastening means for fixing clothes by designing them in various ways to be elegant, and this allows small children, the elderly and physically disabled people to easily tie their clothes. In this case, two flat magnets according to the invention come into close contact with each other without any offset because the forces of attraction and repulsion act simultaneously, while a pair of simple magnets is difficult to put in contact without any misalignment, even if they have the same configuration. This is one of the characteristics of the present invention, and the flat magnet is therefore suitable for uses where objects must always come into contact. close contact with each other to remain stationary at the same position. The flat magnet is also advantageously used as a magnetic therapeutic device which uses magnetism.

More particularly, the magnet allows the level of the attraction force and the magnetic force to be adjusted as desired according to the purpose, and it is considerably easy to assemble, disassemble and detach the magnet when it is handled as a magnetic therapeutic device. Thus, one can expect various uses in addition to those described above.

 There is no specific restriction on the kind of magnet that can be used in this embodiment, which is identical to the case of the fifth and sixth embodiments described above, and it is possible to choose any magnet from among those which are generally marketed and used, such as ferrite magnets, alnico magnets, rare earth magnets and plastic magnets using them. Among them, rare earth magnets are particularly advantageous because they have a high magnetic force and therefore it is possible to reduce the size.

The present invention will be better understood, and other objects, characteristics, details and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the explanatory description which follows, made with reference to the appended schematic drawings given solely by way of example illustrating several embodiments of the invention and in which
- Figures 1 to 6 show, in combination, the structure of a magnetic therapeutic device received in a protective organ according to an embodiment of the present invention, where
- Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the general structure of the magnetic therapeutic device;
- Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of one half of the magnetic therapeutic device;
- Figure 3 is a side sectional view of the magnetic therapeutic device; and
- Figures 4 to 6 are side sectional views of the magnetic therapeutic device in a state where the halves are brought into contact with each other;
- Figures 7 and 8 show examples of the use of the magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention;
- Figures 9 to 12 show, in perspective view, front and rear, examples of the structure of another embodiment of the present invention which is formed by placing a number of magnets so that the polished north and south are alternately arranged;
- Figures 13 to 15 show the composite magnet according to the present invention which is received in a protective member;
- Figures 16 and 17 show examples of the use of composite magnets according to the present invention;
- Figures 18A and 8 show a perspective view of a composite magnet according to the present invention which is formed by placing unit magnets having a high magnetic force in a row with a magnetically permeable material interposed between each pair of adjacent unit magnets ;
- Figure 19 shows an example of the use of the magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention which is formed using the composite magnet shown in Figure 18;
- Figure 20 shows an example where the magnet according to the present invention, which has protuberances, is defined by a disc-shaped magnet which is formed by an integral molding process;
- Figure 21 shows an example where the protruding part of the magnet is formed separately using a magnetically permeable material;
- Figure 22 shows an example where the magnet is formed by combining protruding magnetic poles, each having a truncated pyramid configuration;
- Figure 23 shows an example where a number of protrusions of the magnet are formed of a magnetically permeable material;
- Figure 24 shows an example where the magnet shown in Figure 22 is used for the human body as a magnetic therapeutic device;
- Figure 25 shows a very small unit of a composite magnet, the unit consisting of four unit magnets;
- Figure 26 shows a composite magnet formed by placing two unitary composite magnets side by side;
- Figure 27 shows a composite magnet formed by stacking two unitary composite magnets; ;
- Figure 28 shows a composite magnet formed by combining four unitary composite magnets both horizontally and vertically;
- Figures 29 to 32 show examples where variously combined composite magnets according to the present invention are used for magnetic therapy;
- Figure 33 shows a composite magnet consisting of two unit magnets;
- Figure 34 shows a composite magnet formed by placing side by side two composite magnets of the type shown in Figure 33;
- Figure 35 shows a composite magnet consisting of three unitary magnets;
- Figure 36 shows a composite magnet formed by stacking two composite magnets of the type shown in Figure 35 ;;
- Figure 37 shows a composite magnet which is formed by combining four unitary composite magnets both horizontally and vertically, each unitary composite magnet consisting of five unitary magnets;
- Figures 38 to 41 show examples where the various composite magnets described above according to the present invention are used for magnetic therapy;
- Figure 42 shows a square flat magnet according to the present invention;
- Figure 43 schematically shows how flat magnets of the type shown in Figure 42 are placed side by side so that their planes extend vertically;
- Figure 44 schematically shows how flat magnets of the type shown in Figure 42 are stacked so that their planes extend horizontally;
- Figures 45a, b and c show various forms of flat disc-shaped magnets;
- Figures 46a, b and c show various shapes of annular flat magnets;
- Figures 47a, b and c show various forms of magnets which are formed by combining various kinds of polygonal unit magnets;
- Figure 48 shows an example of a magnet which is formed by stacking flat magnets having different configurations;
- Figure 49 shows an example where a number of flat magnets are stacked to define a magnetic therapeutic device and are brought into contact with the affected part; and
- Figures 50 and 51 show examples where these flat magnets are combined to define a magnetic therapeutic device and are brought into contact with the affected part.

 Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is understood that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 6, the magnetic therapeutic device according to the first embodiment of the invention consists of two halves
A and 6 having substantially the same configuration and the same dimension, each of the halves A and B having a structure where a magnet 1 having a high magnetic force is received in a part 3 for receiving the magnet of a protective member 2 of so that the contact surface 4 of the magnet 1 is exposed. In this case, the contact surface 4 of one of the pairs of halves A and 8 facing each other is defined by the north pole while the contact surface 4 of the other half is defined by the pale south. surface of each protective member 2 on the side where the contact surface 4 of the associated magnet 1 is exposed to the shape of a flat surface 6, therefore the contact surfaces 4 facing the two magnets 1 can be put in close contact with each other. As shown in Figure 3, each of the contact surfaces 4 of the magnets 1 is arranged so as to slightly protrude from the contact surface 6 of the protective member 2 as shown by the reference numeral 5 in order to allow the surfaces 4 to be easily brought into contact with the affected part, and when they are arranged face to face, these two surfaces have a minimum space defined between them. Consequently, it is preferable to arrange the device so that , when the two halves A and B are brought into contact with each other, a slight air space 7 is left between the protective members 2 as shown in FIG. 4. The air space 7 serves to allow the magnets 1 to be easily brought into direct and close contact with one another by the force of attraction due to the magnets 1. It is also possible to adopt the arrangement shown in FIG. 6. More particularly , a 7 'spacer can be inserted in the space 7 so that there is no air space between the contact surfaces 6 of the protective members 2. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 5, the contact surfaces 4 of the magnets 1 are slightly hollowed out relative to the contact surfaces 6 of the protective members 2 so that a slight space is defined between these two surfaces. Thus, it is preferable to arrange the device so that when the two members 2 are brought into contact with each other, a slight space 7 is left between the magnets 1 as shown in FIG. 5.

This space 7 serves to prevent degradation of the magnets which could otherwise occur when the magnets 1 are forced to collide with each other by their force of attraction when they are brought into contact with each other. the other.

 The above-described pair of magnets having a large magnetic force may have a prismatic configuration or other configurations, for example, flat plate or disc-like configurations where the direction of magnetization and the faces of the blades have already been determined. The protective members serve not only to protect the respective magnets but also to facilitate the handling of the device.

Consequently, it is effective to give the protective members an easy to handle shape, but it suffices, at the base, to form the protective members so that they are capable of protecting the external surfaces of the respective magnets with the exception of the contact surfaces. For example, the protective members may have a prismatic, hemispherical or plate-like configuration in addition to the semicylindrical configuration shown by the embodiment described above. Although in the embodiment described above, each magnet has only one contact surface which is not covered by the associated protective member, each magnet can have two contact surfaces. In this case, the two halves have completely the same structure in which two contact surfaces are defined by the north and south blades respectively. The magnets and the protective members can be connected by known means, according to need, for example, by sticky using an adhesive.

 The use of the magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention will be described below.

 In general, the contact surface of one half 10 of the device which consists of two magnets having a high magnetic force is lightly pressed against a painful part 9 of the body 8 of the user in relation to the contact surface of the 'other half 10' so that the strongest lines of magnetic force act on the affected part 9 as shown in Figure 7. Instead of being arranged to keep the affected part 9 sandwiched, the two halves 10 and 10 'can be placed side by side so that their respective contact surfaces are brought into contact with the affected part 9 as shown in Figure 8.

In each process, strong lines of magnetic force act on the affected part, so the discomfort of the affected part can be relieved very quickly. The physical discomforts which can be alleviated by the magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention include stiffness, pain, numbness, heaviness ets. and the device can be used to relieve discomfort in any position of the wearer's body. It is understood that a therapeutic effect is also produced by the application of the device to a therapeutic point in relation rather than by its direct application to the affected part.

 The composite magnet which constitutes the magnetic therapeutic device according to the second embodiment of the invention is formed by arranging a number of magnets having a strong magnetic force so that the north and south poles are arranged alternately as the show figures 9 to 12.

In the example shown in Figure 9, two strong magnets, which have substantially the same shape and the same size, are placed side by side longitudinally so that the north pole of a magnet faces the south pole of the other magnet. The magnetic therapeutic device comprising the two magnets is normally covered with a sheet of non-magnetically permeable metal such as stainless steel, aluminum or copper, in order to hold the magnets and protect their surfaces, and the surface of the covering is coated with a plastic material to finish it. In this case, the magnets which must be combined do not necessarily have to have substantially the same shape and the same dimension but it is possible to use two magnets which have different dimensions, provided that the respective contact surfaces have the same dimension.

 In the example shown in FIG. 10, a composite magnet is formed by laterally arranging two units, each defined by a combination of two magnets having a large magnetic force, shown in FIG. 9.

 The composite magnet shown in the example illustrated in Figure 11 is formed by vertically arranging two units in a manner similar to the above. This arrangement is suitable for the use where two of these composite magnets are arranged in order to maintain the affected part in sandwich.

 Figure 12 shows another example where the composite magnet is formed using four units to better improve the magnetic force.

 The magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention can be formed by combining magnets having a high magnetic force in various ways in addition to the examples shown in Figures 9 to 12.

 It is preferable to adopt an optimal arrangement as necessary. There is no specific restriction on how to combine magnets where the configuration and size of the composite magnet, provided that the final configuration and size of the device can be shaped for this purpose.

 In many cases, each of the magnet units having a large magnetic force is coated in order to fix and protect the component magnets as described above for use in this state as a magnetic therapeutic device. However, it is also possible to adopt a structure in which, as shown in Figures 13, 14 and 15, a unit of magnets 1 of high power is received in a receiving part defined in a protective member 2 so that only a contact surface 4 is exposed.

In this case, the unit 1 can be fixed to the receiving part 3 in the protective member 2 by a known connection means, for example, by bonding using an adhesive.

 In the magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention, the use of two magnets in a pair as shown in Figure 1 is even more effective and, in such a case, it is necessary that the contact surfaces face to face of the two magnets have opposite polarities. In this case, the surface of each protective member 2 on the side where the contact surface 4 of the associated magnet 1 is exposed. has the shape of a flat surface 6, therefore the contact surfaces 4 facing the two magnets 1 can be brought into close contact with each other.

 For example, the protective members may have a prismatic, hemispherical or plate-like configuration in addition to the semi-cylindrical configuration shown in the embodiment described above.

Although in the embodiment described above, each magnet has only one contact surface which is not covered by the associated protective member, each magnet can have two contact surfaces. In this case, the two devices have completely the same structure.

The magnets and the protective members can be connected by known means, as required, for example, bonding using an adhesive. However, it is preferable to connect them either directly or indirectly using fixing screws because, by doing so, a higher bonding force is obtained and the protective members are made replaceable.

 In the arrangements shown in Figures 14 and 5, the contact surface 4 of the magnet 1 of high power is slightly hollowed out relative to the contact surface 6 of the protective member 2, a slight space is therefore defined between these two surfaces. Thus, it is preferable to arrange the device so that, when the two members are brought into contact with each other, a slight space 7 is left between the magnets 1 as shown in FIG. 5. This space 7 serves to prevent degradation of magnet 1 which could otherwise occur when magnets 1 are forced to collide with each other by their force of attraction when they are brought into contact with each other the other.

 When the contact surface 4 of the magnet 1 slightly protrudes from the contact surface 6 of the protective member 2 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 6, or else when the contact surfaces 4 and 6 are flush with each other with the other, a spacer can be interposed so that a slight space 7 is left, or else the contact surfaces 4 and 6 can be flush with each other.

 Although in the embodiment described above, each of the high power magnets has a prismatic configuration, the magnet may have other configurations, for example, a flat plate configuration on which the direction of magnetization has already been determined. The protective members serve not only to protect the respective magnets but also to facilitate the handling of the device.

Consequently, it is effective to give the protective members a shape which is practical to handle, but it suffices, in the basics, to form the protective members so that they are capable of protecting the external surfaces of the respective magnets.

 ûn will describe below the use of the magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention.

 In general, the relatively large contact surface 11 of the magnetic therapeutic device 10 is lightly pressed against the affected part 9 of the body 8 of the user. Unlike conventional magnetic therapeutic devices, the device according to the present invention has its north and south blades which are alternately arranged on the contact surface and therefore this allows the lines of magnetic force to act on the body of the user so even stronger, and this allows the magnetic therapy to act in a short period of time in combination with the use of a large contact surface.

 In the case where two magnetic therapeutic devices are used in a group, the contact surface 11 of a magnetic therapeutic device '10 is slightly pressed against the affected part 9 of the body 8 of the user in relation to the contact surface of the other magnetic therapeutic device 10 'so that the strongest lines of magnetic force act on the affected part 9 as shown in FIG. 7. Instead of being arranged in order to keep the affected part 9 sandwiched, the two magnetic therapeutic devices 10 and 10 ′ can be placed side by side so that their respective contact surfaces are brought into contact with the affected part 9 as shown in FIG. 8.

 In each process, strong lines of magnetic force act on the affected part, so the discomfort of the affected part can be relieved very quickly. Physical discomforts which can be relieved by the magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention include stiffness, pain, numbness, heaviness etc., and the device can be used to relieve discomforts at any position of the user's body . it is understood that a therapeutic effect is also produced by the application of the device to a therapeutic point in relation to the place of its application directly to the affected part.

 The high power composite magnet which constitutes the magnetic therapeutic device according to the third embodiment of the invention consists of a number of very strong magnets which are arranged in a row in the direction of magnetization so that Identical blades of each pair of adjacent magnets face each other through a magnetically permeable material as shown in Figures 18 (A) and 18 (8).

 In the arrangement shown in Figure 18 (A), a number of very strong magnets 2 playing substantially the same shape and size, are placed in a row in the direction of magnetization with a magnetically permeable material interposed between each pair adjacent magnets 21 In this case, the cross-sectional configuration of the magnetically permeable material 22 is normally substantially the same as that of the magnet 21.

 In the arrangement shown in Figure 18 (A), the composite magnet is formed by placing, in a row, five very strong magnets having the same configuration with the interposition of four magnetically permeable materials, each being interposed between two adjacent magnets, materials having the same cross-sectional configuration as that of the magnets. In this case, there is no specific restriction on the size of very strong magnets, provided that they can be produced. Furthermore, each of the magnets need not necessarily have the same dimensions, but it is simply necessary that the magnets have substantially the same configuration in cross section. It is the same in the case of magnetically permeable materials. More particularly, all the various materials do not necessarily have to have the same dimensions but it is preferable to arrange the magnetically permeable materials so that the density of magnetic flux at the surface of each material is lower than the saturation level.

 Figure 18 (B) shows a magnetic therapeutic device that must be paired with the device shown in Figure 18 (A). The magnetic therapeutic device shown in Figure 18 (8) is formed by combining very strong magnets 23 and magnetically permeable materials 24 so that the corresponding magnets 23 of the two devices shown in Figures 18 (A) and 18 (8) respectively opposite magnetic blades. In actual use, each magnetic therapy device is normally covered with a sheet of non-magnetically permeable metal such as stainless steel, aluminum or copper in order to fix magnets and magnetically permeable materials and protect the surface. of the device, and the covering surface is coated with a plastic material or the like for its finish.

Usually, each of the magnetic therapeutic devices shown in Figures 18 (A) and 18 (B) can be used alone in the finished state. However, using them in a pair is even more effective.

 The magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention may have a structure where the composite magnet 1 is received in a part 3 for receiving the magnet which is defined in a protective member 2 so that the contact surface 4 is exposed as the show Figures 1 and 2. In this case, the composite magnet 1 can be fixed to the receiving part 3 of the protective member 2 by a known connection means, for example gluing using an adhesive.

 The use of two magnetic therapeutic devices in a pair as shown in FIGS. 14, 5, 3 and 4 is even more effective and, in such a case, it is necessary that the contact surfaces facing the two devices have opposite polarities. In this case, the surface of each protective member 2 on the side where the contact surface 4 of the associated magnet 1 is exposed has the shape of a flat surface 6 so that the contact surfaces 4 face to face of the two magnets 1 can be brought into close contact with each other.

 In the arrangement shown in Figures 14 and 5, the contact surface 4 of the very powerful magnet 1 is slightly hollowed out relative to the contact surface 6 of the protective member 2, so a slight space is defined between these two surfaces. it is thus preferable to arrange the device so that, when the two members are brought into contact with each other, a slight space 7 is left between the magnets 1 as shown in FIG. 5. This space 7 serves to prevent damage to the magnets 1 which could occur when the magnets 1 are forced to collide with each other by their attractive force when they are brought into contact with each other.

 When the contact surface 4 of the magnet 1 slightly protrudes from the contact surface 6 of the protective member 2 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, or when the contact surfaces 4 and 6 are flush with each other the other, a spacer can be inserted so that a slight space 7 is left as shown in FIG. 6, or else the contact surfaces 4 and 6 can be flush with each other.

 Although in the embodiment described above, each of the high power magnets has a prismatic configuration, the magnet can have other configurations, for example, a flat plate configuration where the direction of magnetization has already been determined. The protective members serve not only to protect the respective magnets but also to facilitate the handling of the device. Consequently, it is effective to form the protective members in an easy-to-handle form, but it is sufficient at the base to form the protective members so that they are able to protect the external surfaces of the respective magnets. For example, the protective members may have a prismatic, hemispherical or plate-like configuration in addition to the semicylindrical configuration shown in the embodiment described above.

 The use of the magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention will be described below.

 In general, the relatively large contact surface of the magnetic therapeutic device 10 is lightly pressed against the affected part 9 of the body 8 of the user as shown in Figure 19. Unlike conventional magnetic therapeutic devices, the device according to this invention has its north and south poles which are alternately formed on the contact surface by the magnetically permeable parts of the device and therefore this allows the lines of magnetic force to act on the body of the user even more strongly, and this allows magnetic therapy to act in a short period of time in combination with the use of a large contact surface. In the case where two magnetic therapeutic devices are used in a set, the contact surface 11 of a magnetic therapeutic device 10 is lightly pressed against the affected part 9 of the body 8 of the user in relation to the contact surface t of the other magnetic therapeutic device 10 ′, therefore the strongest lines of magnetic force act on the affected part 9 as shown in FIG. 7. Instead of being arranged in order to keep the affected part 9 sandwiched, the two magnetic therapeutic devices 10 and 10 ′ can be placed side by side so that their respective contact surfaces are brought into contact with the affected part 9 as shown in FIG. 8.

 Figures 20 and 21 show an embodiment of the magnetic therapeutic device according to the fourth embodiment of the invention, which has a contact surface in the form of a disc. In this embodiment, four conical poles protruding Qî, which define alternating north and south blades, are formed on the contact surface. The apex of each pale conical protrusion O is slightly rounded in order to reduce the stimulation of the skin of the user's body. In the example shown in Figure 20, the contact portion having protruding blades which are shown by the reference numeral Q is defined by a magnet which is formed by an integral molding process.

However, it is understood that such a structure can be formed by combining two unitary magnets, each having a pair of north and south poles. In this embodiment, a mild steel plate @ , which is a magnetically permeable material, is glued to the bottom of the magnet in order to increase the density of magnetic flux in the vicinity of the protruding Q batteries which must be brought into contact with the human body.

 In the example shown in Figure 21, although the configuration of the magnetic therapeutic device is the same as that of the example shown in Figure 20, that is, the device has four blades @ protruding, the part of the device which must be brought into contact with the human body, that is to say the part comprising the poles 1 in protrusion, is formed from mild steel which is a magnetically permeable material. The ferrite magnets and rare earth magnets which are generally used are sintered magnets and therefore fragile and difficult to machine.

Consequently, if the device consists of two parts, i.e. a disc-shaped sintered magnet and a part of protruding poles, which are formed separately from each other, the part of the protruding poles which is difficult to machine can advantageously be produced using a magnetically permeable material such as iron or an iron-based alloy which can be easily machined. In this case, the base Q2 is formed into a rare earth magnet.

Figure 22 shows another embodiment where the contact part consists of six magnetic poles
Q in protuberance, each having the shape of a trunk of a rectangular pyramid, the pale Q being arranged so as to define alternating north and south pale.

This embodiment is formed by combining six unit magnets, each having a pale north or south.

 If the magnetic therapeutic device is formed using unit magnets each of which has a pair of north and south poles so that they can be assembled and disassembled as desired when the device is to be used, it is possible to vary the number of unit magnets to use according to the conditions of the affected part, which is very practical.

 Figure 23 shows an example where protruding magnetic poles Q, which define a contact portion, are formed of a magnetically permeable material while a base Q is defined by a rare earth magnet. In this example, a number of protrusions constitute, in combination, each of the north and south pale.

 Figure 24 shows an example of the use of the magnet for medical treatment, where the reference number Q designates the magnet, 0 protrusions, a piece of tape and Q4 the body of the user.

 Figure 25 shows a very small unit used to form the composite magnet according to the fifth embodiment of the invention. The unit consists of four rectangular parallelepiped magnets with the same configuration. The four magnets are arranged so that the north and south blades are alternately arranged around the center of the unit, looking in a plane perpendicular to the direction of handling as illustrated. Figure 26 shows a composite magnet which is formed by horizontally combining two unitary composite magnets of the type shown in Figure 25. Figure 27 shows a composite magnet according to the present invention which is formed by vertically stacking two unitary composite magnets of the type shown in Figure 25.

FIG. 28 shows a composite magnet which is formed by combining both horizontally and vertically a total of four unitary composite magnets, each one being arranged as shown in FIG. 25.

 The present invention makes it possible to form a desired composite magnet by appropriately connecting unitary composite magnets with their identical surfaces facing each other as illustrated.

 When a composite magnet thus arranged is put in place, if unitary composite magnets are combined as desired with their identical surfaces facing each other, the force of attraction acts invariably.

 Figures 29 to 32 show practical examples where the composite magnet according to the present invention is used for magnetic therapy.

 Figure 29 shows an example where two unitary composite magnets, each consisting of four magnets as shown in Figure 25 are contacted with the affected part, on both sides, respectively.

In this case, the two composite magnets are inevitably arranged so that an attractive force acts between them, and there is therefore no possibility that the affected part is sandwiched between the surfaces of the magnets which repel each other. .

 Figure 30 shows how the affected part is sandwiched between two composite magnets of the type shown in Figure 27, i.e. two composite magnets of the type shown in Figure 29 are stacked. Figure 31 shows how a composite magnet shown in Figure 26 is used for the affected part, the composite magnet being covered with a protective member in order to combine the magnets composing it into a unit. In this case, small protrusions are provided near the center of the magnets combined into a unit so that even a person with poor eyesight can distinguish the central position of the device. Figure 32 shows an example where four composite magnets of the type shown in Figure 25 are used so that two stacks of two composite magnets are placed side by side.

 As described above, the composite magnet according to the present invention makes it possible to produce unitary magnets with a free choice of the kind, the size and the level of magnetic force of the magnets. Consequently, it is possible to appropriately choose the area of action of magnetism, the level of magnetic force etc., according to the purpose and need in actual use. In addition, the unitary composite magnets can be assembled and disassembled as desired and are easy to handle in a practical manner, therefore the composite magnet according to the present invention can be used in a considerably advantageous manner.

 Figure 33 shows a very small unit of the composite magnet according to the present invention, i.e. a magnet structure consisting of two unit magnets. The hatched lines drawn on the north pole indicate that a color that is different from the color of the south pole is placed on the surface of the north pole. FIG. 34 shows a composite magnet formed by horizontally combining two unitary composite magnets of the type shown in FIG. 33, that is to say that the two unitary composite magnets are placed side by side.

Thus, the surface of this composite magnet has a checkerboard pattern. Figure 35 shows a composite magnet which likewise consists of three unitary magnets. Figure 36 shows a composite magnet which is formed by vertically combining two unitary composite magnets of the type shown in Figure 35, i.e. the two unitary composite magnets are stacked. Figure 37 shows a composite magnet which is formed by combining both horizontally and vertically four unitary composite magnets in total, each consisting of four unitary magnets. The surface of the composite magnet likewise has a checkerboard pattern which is formed by two different colors. Thus, the composite magnet according to the present invention allows the choice of a desired dimension and a desired level of force. magnetic by three-dimensionally combining a desired number of unitary composite magnets. As the two different colors are placed on the north and south poles respectively, it is possible to easily combine a desired number of unitary composite magnets.

 Figures 38 to 41 show examples where the composite magnet according to the present invention is used for magnetic therapy.

 Figure 38 shows an example where the affected part is sandwiched between two composite magnets of the type shown in Figure 35, which consists of three unit magnets. It is essential to combine the two composite magnets in such a way that they attract on the basis of the colors which are placed on the different magnetic blades, respectively.

 Figure 39 shows an example where the affected part is similarly sandwiched between a pair of composite magnets of the type shown in Figure 36.

 FIG. 40 shows an example where two composite magnets of the type shown in FIG. 35 are placed side by side on the affected part, while FIG. 41 shows an example where the composite magnet shown in FIG. 37 is used.

 Figures 42 to 47 show basic configurations of the flat magnet according to the seventh embodiment of the invention. Figure 42 shows a flat magnet which is formed by combining square unit magnets so that the north and south poles are alternately placed in a checkerboard pattern. Figure 43 schematically shows an example in which two flat magnets of the type shown in Figure 42 are combined by being placed vertically so that they attract each other, while Figure 44 shows an example where three flat magnets of the type shown in FIG. 42 are combined by stacking them. FIGS. 45 and 46 respectively show flat disc-shaped and annular-shaped magnets (toroid shape), each of which is formed by magnetizing, by dividing, a material in the form of disc or ring, so that the north and south poles are alternately arranged.

 Figure 47 shows examples of flat magnets which are formed by combining various polygonal unit magnets so that the north and south poles are alternately arranged. Figure 48 shows an example where two flat magnets with different configurations are stacked so that the boundary lines between the north and south poles of the two magnets coincide. Figure 49 shows an example where a number of flat magnets are stacked to define a magnetic therapeutic device and brought into contact with the affected part, while Figure 50 shows an example where flat magnets are placed side by side on the affected part, and Figure 51 shows an example where the affected part is sandwiched between two stacked flat magnets.

 As described above, the flat magnet according to the present invention makes it possible to produce unitary magnets with a free choice of the kind, the size and the level of the magnetic force of the magnets.

Consequently, it is possible to appropriately choose the area of action of magnetism, the level of magnetic force, etc., depending on the purpose and need in actual use. In addition, since it is possible to have a desired number of north and south poles by magnetizing, dividing, a single magnet having a desired dimension, the flat magnet can advantageously be used for various purposes.

 Therapeutic examples carried out using the magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention will now be described.

THERAPEUTIC EXAMPLE 1
A sixty-year-old man who could not walk without the aid of a cane because of pain in his knee after an arthritis operation was treated with a magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention employing a samariumcobalt 2-17 magnet having a produced energy of 20 MGDe, as a magnet having a strong magnetic force, the magnet being coated with polyethylene from a thickness of 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm by immersion coating with fluidification. The contact area of the magnet part was 15 cm2 (10 cm x 1.5 cm) and the density of the magnetic flux at the contact surface was 3,000 gauss. The magnet was received in a protective wooden member having a column configuration as shown in Figures 1 to 4.

 The treatment was performed by sandwiching the affected knee between two halves of the magnetic therapy device. After 2 minutes from the start of treatment, the patient was able to walk for about 5 m without using his cane, and after 3 minutes of treatment, he was able to walk at a fast pace without feeling any pain. in the knee.

THERAPEUTIC EXAMPLE 2
A forty-five year old man who suffered from lumbago for more than a week was treated with a magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention, using a samarium-cobalt 2-17 magnet having a produced energy of 20 MGOe in as a magnet having a large magnetic force, the magnet being coated with 0.25 mm thick polyethylene by immersion coating with fluidization. The contact area of the magnet part was 18 cm2 (9 cm x 2 cm) and the density of magnetic flux at the contact surface was 3,600 gauss. The magnet was received in a protective wooden member having a column configuration as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5.

 The treatment was carried out by placing two halves of the magnetic therapeutic device, side by side, and pressing them against the affected part as shown in Figure 8. three minutes after the start of treatment, the pain was completely gone, and it didn’t has not reappeared.

THERAPEUTIDUE EXAMPLE 3
Two samarium-cobalt 2-17 magnets with a produced energy of 20 MGOe were used as magnets with a strong magnetic force and assembled as shown in Figure 9.

 The contact area of the magnet part was 20 cm2 (10 cm x 2 cm) and the density of magnetic flux at the contact surface was 3,000 gauss.

An aluminum foil was glued to the back of the magnet, that is to say its side opposite to the contact surface, for its reinforcement, and the magnet was then coated with polyethylene of a thickness of 0.2 mm by immersion coating with fluidization. The coated magnet was received in a protective wooden member as shown in Figures 13 and 14 to form a magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention.

 A fifty-six year old man suffering from shoulder joint pain was treated with the above described magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention. The treatment was carried out so that the contact surface of the therapeutic device was lightly pressed against the affected part and maintained in this state. Ten minutes after the start of treatment, the pain subsided, and after 30 minutes of treatment, the patient felt significantly more pain.

THERAPEUTIC EXAMPLE 4
Four samarium-cobalt magnets 2-17, having a produced energy of 20 MGûe, were used as magnets with a strong magnetic force and assembled as shown in Figure 10.

 The contact area of the magnet part was 30 cm2 (10 cm x 3 cm) and the density of magnetic flux at the contact surface was 3,100 gauss.

An aluminum foil was glued to the back of the magnet, that is to say its opposite side relatively to the contact surface, for its reinforcement, and the magnet was then coated with a thick polyethylene 0.2 mm by immersion coating with fluidization.

The coated magnet was received in a protective wooden member as shown in Figures 13 and 15 to form a magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention.

 A man of sixty years unable to walk without the aid of a cane because of pain remaining in his knee after an arthritis operation was treated by two magnetic therapeutic devices according to the present invention arranged as described above. above. The treatment was performed by sandwiching the affected knee between two halves of the magnetic therapy device. Three minutes after the start of treatment, the patient was able to walk for about 5 m without using his cane and after 5 minutes of treatment, he was able to walk at a fast pace without feeling any pain in the knee.

EXAMPLE THERAPEUTIOUE 5
A man of fifty who had suffered from lumbago for more than five days was treated with a pair of magnetic therapeutic devices according to the present invention, the same as those used in therapeutic example 4, except that the devices used in this example did not have a wooden protector and the polyethylene coating was exposed.

 The treatment was carried out by placing two magnetic therapeutic devices side by side and pressing them against the affected part. After three minutes after the start of treatment, the pain had completely disappeared and it did not return.

EXAMPLE THERAPEUTIOUE 6
Five samarium-cobalt 2-17 magnets, having a produced energy of 24 MGOe, were used as magnets with a strong magnetic force and were assembled as shown in Figure 15 (A). The contact area of each of the magnets was 1.5 x 1.5 cm. Iron was used as the magnetically permeable material and the surface area of each permeable material was 1.5 x 1.0 cm.

The magnetic flux density at the contact surface was from 1,800 to 3,200 gauss. An aluminum foil was bonded to each of the surfaces, except the contact surface, for reinforcement purposes, and the magnet was then coated with 0.15 mm thick polyethylene by immersion coating with thinning. .

The coated magnet was received in a protective wooden member as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 to form a magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention.

 A sixty year old man suffering from lumbago was treated with the magnetic therapy device described above according to the present invention. The treatment was carried out so that the magnetic therapeutic device was lightly pressed against the affected part. Thirty minutes after the start of treatment, the patient no longer felt any significant pain.

THERAPEUTIC EXAMPLE 7
A fifty-five year old man, suffering from knee pain for more than 10 days, was treated with a pair of magnetic therapeutic devices according to the present invention, the pair of devices consisting of the one used in the therapeutic example 6 and a magnetic therapeutic device such as that shown in FIG. 18 (8), that is to say a pair of magnetic therapeutic devices having completely the same arrangement. The treatment was carried out so that the affected part was sandwiched between the two magnetic therapeutic devices. Several minutes after the start of treatment, the pain disappeared.

THERAPEUTIC EXAMPLE 8
A fifty-four year old man with a heavy left shoulder was treated with the magnetic therapy device shown in Figure 21. For the magnet Q, a rare earth magnet of samarium-cobalt was used d10 and the protruding contact part was made of mild steel with a height of 6 mm.

The treatment was carried out so that two magnets according to the present invention arranged as described above are glued to the affected part using an adhesive strip. Two hours after the start of treatment, the heaviness in the patient's left shoulder had considerably decreased. The patient's skin was relatively sensitive to adhesive plasters and therefore, after having stuck on a commercial magnet for one day, the part of his skin which had been covered by the adhesive tape itched. However, as the duration of treatment was excessively short in this example, there was no itching due to the adhesive tape.

THERAPEUTIC EXAMPLE 9
A fifty-seven year old man suffering from a dull ache in the muscle near his left knee when moving, was treated with the therapeutic device shown in Figure 22. The contact area was 10 x 15 mm, while the height of the truncated pyramid protrusions was 7 mm. A neodymium-iron magnet (rare earth magnet) was used and the device was applied to the affected part using an adhesive tape. After 3 hours of treatment, there was noticeably more pain in the muscle.

EXAMPLE THERAPEUTIOUE lo
A fifty-one year old woman who suffered from pain at 1. ' left shoulder was treated with a composite magnet (contact surface: 2 x 9 cm) formed by combining three unit magnets defined by rare earth magnets, each having a dimension of 2 x 3 x 1.5 cm in the manner shown in Figure 35.

When the composite magnet was lightly pressed against the affected part for 10 minutes, the pain diminished considerably and after 15 minutes of treatment, the patient no longer felt any pain.

THERAPEUTIC EXAMPLE 11
A woman of the same age as above, also suffering from left shoulder pain, was treated with a combination of two composite magnets of the same type as that used in therapeutic example 10, the magnets being placed side by side alongside (contact surface 4 x 9 cm). After 7 minutes after the start of treatment, the pain subsided considerably and after 10 minutes of treatment, the patient no longer felt any pain.

THERAPEUTIC EXAMPLE 12
A sixty-three year old woman suffering from lumbago and also from right shoulder pain was treated with two different types of composite magnet according to the present invention. More particularly, the affected shoulder was treated with a combination of two composite magnets (the contact area 4 x 9 cm), the same as those used in therapeutic example 11, while the lower back was treated by a composite magnet (contact surface 2 x 15 cm) formed by stacking two unitary composite magnets, each consisting of five unitary magnets which were the same as those used in therapeutic example 10; as shown in Figure 41.

After 15 minutes of treatment, the patient no longer felt pain in the shoulder or lower back.

THERAPEUTIC EXAMPLE 13
A forty year old man who suffered from right arm pain was treated with a pair of composite magnets of the same type as that used in Therapeutic Example 10 so that the affected part was sandwiched between the pair of composite magnets as shown in Figure 38. Five minutes after the start of treatment "the pain subsided considerably, and 8 minutes later, the patient no longer felt any pain.

 As described above, the magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention is of a fairly new type, which can be assembled to a desired dimension according to a particular affected part, to apply a large magnetic force to the affected part, and be easily handled. Consequently, the extent to which the magnetic therapeutic device can be used for medical treatment is advantageously large, and it is possible to apply it to an affected part in any position of the user's body. magnetic circuits are produced on the contact surface of the device, the magnetic force lines of the device act on the affected part of the user even more effectively, so it is possible to relieve any kind of physical discomfort in an extremely short period of time. Thus, the magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention has a considerably important therapeutic effect.

Using the device is safe and simple, so even inexperienced people can easily use it. In addition, even when the device is used for medical treatment for an unnecessarily long time, it does not produce any bad effect, advantageously.

 The magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention, which has a number of protrusions on the contact surface, acts favorably on the affected part, in particular, the therapeutic point, by applying lines of magnetic force, thereby producing therapeutic effects even more excellent than those offered by conventional magnetic therapeutic devices. If the magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention is applied to slippers, shoes, body bandages, etc., which are always used in close contact with the human body, it is advantageously possible to improve the health of the user. and strengthen his body.

 The composite magnet according to the present invention can be arranged in such a way that the respective surfaces of the unit magnets or of the unit composite magnets of the same kind always attract without repelling each other, and it is therefore possible to assemble, dismantle and detach the composite magnet as desired, as necessary.

 Two flat magnets according to the present invention always attract each other, whatever the sides of the magnets which are brought close together, and no repelling force acts between them. Accordingly, it is possible to conveniently and easily assemble a magnet having characteristics which can conform to a particular purpose, and the present invention is therefore applicable to various uses which use magnetic attraction. For example, magnets can be used for industrial use, toys, games, learning materials, clothing and household items.

 As the composite and flat magnets according to the present invention can be safely and easily handled and can be combined or stacked in any desired number in order to choose a level of magnetic force and a surface area of the contact surface suitable for a particular purpose, the The present invention is considerably effective in accomplishing useful magnetic treatment.

 it should be noted that, as the magnetic therapeutic device according to the present invention uses a permanent magnet, it can be used semi-permanently and the therapeutic effect lasts a long time.

Claims (20)

 1. Composite magnet characterized in that it comprises a number of units combined together, each of said units being formed by placing a number of magnets (1) which alternately define north and south poles arranged on a plane which is perpendicular to the direction of magnetization.  2. Composite magnet according to claim 2, characterized in that four magnets of substantially the same configuration in rectangular parallelepiped are arranged in such a way that the faces of the north and south poles are alternately arranged in point symmetry with each other relative to the center of the four magnets as seen along a plane which is perpendicular to the direction of magnetization.  3. Composite magnet according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a combination of a number of composite magnets each of which is used in one unit.  4. Composite magnet according to claim 2, characterized in that a number of small protrusions are provided near the center of the surface of the composite magnet.  5. Composite magnet according to claim 2, characterized in that the composite magnet is partially or completely covered with a protective member and is connected to it in a unit.  6. Composite magnet according to claim 5, characterized in that the protective member is made of a magnetically permeable material and / or a non-magnetically permeable material.  7. Composite magnet according to claim 5, characterized in that the protective member is defined by a coating.  8. Composite magnet according to claim 7, characterized in that the coating which defines the protective element is formed by immersion coating with fluidization of a plastic powder.  9. Composite magnet according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a prime number of magnets having a configuration substantially in rectangular parallelepiped, where the respective planes of the magnets which are perpendicular to the direction of magnetization have the same shape, the faces of the north and south poles being made discernible from each other so that the faces of the north and south poles are alternately arranged.  10. Composite magnet according to claim 9, characterized in that the faces of the north and south poles are made discernible from one another by using different colors.  11. Composite magnet according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a combination of a number of composite magnets each of which is a unit.  12. Composite magnet according to claim 9, characterized in that each of the aforementioned magnets is partially or completely covered with a protective member and is connected to it in a unit.  13. Composite magnet according to claim 12, characterized in that the composite magnet where the faces of the north and south poles are made discernible by using different colors is covered with a transparent protective member.  14. Composite magnet according to claim 13, characterized in that the aforesaid protective member is formed by coating by immersion with fluidification of a plastic powder.  15. A composite magnet according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a magnet having a substantially planar configuration, the magnet being magnetized in a direction perpendicular to its surface in such a way that a number of faces of north and south poles are alternately arranged on said surface.  16. Composite magnet according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a disc or ring-shaped configuration and in that the faces of the north and south poles are alternately arranged on the surface of said magnet in relatively point symmetry. in the center of said magnet.  17. Composite magnet according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises a combination of a certain number of unitary magnets, having the same polygonal configuration.  18. Composite magnet according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises a combination of a certain number of unitary magnets having different polygonal configurations.  19. Composite magnet according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises a stack of a number of flat magnets, each of which is used in a unit.  20. Composite magnet according to claim 15, characterized in that it is partially or completely covered with a protective member and connected to it in a unit.