GB2476224A - An acupressure glove and sock for a layperson - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a glove and sock for a layperson on which there are printed organ names and ailments (1-28 and 29-42 figs 1 and 3) such as the heart, eye, kidney etc. which when pressed will activate acupressure points which will have a beneficial effect on the organs e.g. heart, eye, kidney etc. The invention is a well fitted glove or sock with the protrusions positioned inside the glove and sock corresponding to acupressure points on the hands, fingers, feet and toes. Organ and ailment names in the printed format are located on the outside of the glove to identify the underlying acupressure points. By applying a mild direct pressure over the printed names, an individual stimulates the underlying acupressure point.. The sock or glove may be colour coded and the names on the outside may be in Braille.

Description

BACKGROUND:

Acupressure Glove and Sock for a Layperson 14 Acupressure, a non-invasive form of acupuncture is accepted by the medical community and the general public as a valid form of treatment. Individuals 16 seeking a non-drug approach for a plurality of physical complaints find 17 acupressure therapy a safe and cost-effective alternative.

18 Acupressure gloves and socks have been described in various formats and 19 their methods of manufacturing are known.

Methods of making gloves with acupressure points are disclosed in 21 US5405310 where an acupressure glove includes upper and lower skins 22 which closely adhere to the back and palm of a hand, respectively, when worn 23 by a user, the skins defining a cavity there between for receiving a hand; a 24 plurality of receiving holes in the upper and lower skins; a plurality of hollow acupressure protuberances for applying acupressure to the hand, the 26 protuberances being positioned within the cavity in association with selected 27 receiving holes.

28 JP2006263133 discloses an acupressure glove and its manufacturing method 29 to secure a sufficient fixing strength for preventing the separation of acupressure projecting bodies by surely fixing the acupressure projecting 31 bodies to prescribe positions of finger parts despite of a knitted glove and to 32 reduce the manufacturing cost and improve the mass productivity by reducing 33 the manufacturing time.

34 DE4400496 discloses a glove which comprises of a support part having at least one first and second area. An acupressure element is arranged within 36 the first area.

38 GB2427558 discloses an elasticised wrist strap for a glove which has raised 39 nipples or buttons on an inside surface to stimulate pressure points at the base of a hand. The strap may be used for the alleviation of insomnia.

42 JP20081 04702 discloses an acupressure point display allowing an inexpert to 43 simply acquire acupressure points and make acupressure; and clothes having 44 an acupressure point display.

46 US5720046 disclose gloves which include a magnetic structure that 47 corresponds to acupressure points on the body appendages for effecting 48 therapeutic magnetic exposure when worn by a human user.

CA2O1 9588 and US5067478 disclose an electrode glove for the application of 51 transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and whole-hand massage 52 ("electro-massage") or acupressure ("electro-acupressure") to patients.

54 EP037041 3 discloses a shoe insole, made of latex for example, which is closed off both on the underside and on the upper side with an air-permeable 56 fibrous non-woven made of natural fibres or of other natural materials. The 57 sole can be latticed and form a frame for the insole, which is provided on top 58 with knobs and forms raised acupressure points and/or ridges, and between 59 the webs and the like physiologically active material is intercalated.

61 JP10158904 discloses socks with plural protrusive acupressure which come in 62 contact with effective spots on the bottom of the inside of sock bodies.

64 KR920009406 discloses a health sock which has at its bottom solid points printed and permeated in a pattern of distribution in the texture of the sole to 66 give the effect of acupressure on the foot sole of the wearer.

67 As above prior arts suggest several gloves and sock and their manufacturing 68 methods are available which have some acupressure benefits.

69 W0200501 8350 discloses an acupressure sock for selectively stimulating reflex zones of a sole of a foot includes a sock fabric defining a shape of the 71 sock and a plurality of protuberances attached on the sock fabric so as to 72 selectively stimulate the reflex zones. The sock is designed such that the 73 protuberances are disposed to correspond to specifically selected reflex zones 74 according to therapy purposes such as the improvement of blood circulation, growth stimulation, obesity suppression, and brain improvement, thereby 76 improving the therapy effect.

78 US5405357 discloses an acupressure glove enabling safe, accurate and cost- 79 effective application of self-stimulation of acupressure points on the hand and wrist. By producing direct pressure onto an acupressure point via a specifically 81 positioned nodule on the glove's interior surface and guided by the 82 corresponding colour-coded locator on the glove's exterior surface an 83 individual can utilize acupressure therapy for a variety of physical complaints.

84 For hand and wrist comprising of several points which relate to physical complaints are comprised of carpal tunnel syndrome, golfers and tennis elbow, 86 general pain, acute and chronic neck pain, headache, stress and anxiety.

87 For both of the above prior art such as reflex zones (sock) and colour coded 88 areas (glove) do not specifically link to acupressure points to effect and or 89 benefit(s) to specific organ e.g. heart, eye etc., but they are mostly related to general ailment benefits such as an improvement of blood circulation, growth 91 stimulation, obesity suppression, carpal tunnel syndrome, golfer's and tennis 92 elbow, general pain, acute and chronic neck pain etc. 93 This invention relates to a glove and sock for auto-stimulation of acupressure 94 points on the hands, fingers, feet and toes using direct pressure on nodules located on the glove's interior surface area. As described in prior art an 96 automatic correct placement of these nodules over the acupressure points is 97 accomplished by a flexible, elastic glove that conforms to a typical hand's bony 98 and soft-tissue contours. These nodules are identified on the glove's interior 99 surface by locators. The individual then only has to refer to the enclosed chart for their physical complaint and corresponding acupressure point(s) to safely 101 and accurately apply acupressure therapy via direct pressure. This invention 102 allows an individual to accurately apply acupressure therapy without having to 103 rely on other guides or having specific anatomical knowledge of the hand, 104 wrist, feet and toes. It also relates to non-invasive auto-stimulation of acupressure points on the dorsal and palm surfaces of the hands, fingers, 106 lower surface of feet and toes. More specifically, a glove and a sock, 107 conforming to anatomical contours, is fitted on its interior surface area with 108 nodules that, when worn by an individual, are positioned over acupressure 109 points of the hands, fingers, feet and toes. Gloves and socks can be worn on both the right and left The individual, after pulling the gloves and socks on 111 snugly, applies direct pressure to the locators on the exterior surface area of 112 the glove which are attached through the glove to the underlying nodules.

113 Stimulation of acupressure points via direct pressure produces a positive 114 reaction by the body for a plurality of physical complaints.

This invention is aimed at laypersons who will have gloves and/or socks on 116 where there are printed letters such as heart, eye, kidney etc. which when 117 pressed will activate acupressure points which will have beneficial effect on 118 these specific organs e.g. heart, eye, kidney etc.

Summary of Invention

119 The key embodiment of the invention is a well fitted glove with the protrusions positioned inside the glove corresponding to acupressure points on the hand 121 and finger. Organ and ailment names in printed format located on the outside 122 of the glove identify the underlying acupressure points. By applying a mild 123 direct pressure over the printed names, an individual stimulates the underlying 124 acupressure point.

The glove with printed areas which designates acupressure points benefits 126 organs and ailments such as the brain, sinuses, cold & stresses, ears, eyes, 127 headaches, shoulders, chest, breast, lungs, gall bladder, spleen, liver, 128 oesophagus, bronchi, throat, lymph, pituitary gland, neck, thyroids, spine, 129 adrenal gland over kidney, transverse colon, lymph system, long colon, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, urethra tube, sacrum, coccyx bones, 131 bladder, rectum, prostate, uterus, penis, lower lumber, ovaries and testicles.

132 The printed areas have protrusions inside the glove and surface which when 133 pressed generates acupressure which benefits organs and a number of 134 ailments similar to applying needles for acupuncture.

Another embodiment of the invention is a well fitted sock with the protrusions 136 positioned inside the sock corresponding to acupressure points on the feet 137 and toes. Organ and ailment names in a printed format located on the outside 138 of the sock identify the underlying acupressure points. By applying a mild 139 direct pressure over the printed names, an individual stimulates the underlying acupressure point.

141 The sock with printed areas designates acupressure points to benefit organs 142 and ailments such as the head, eyes, nose, ears, neck, thyroid gland, 143 shoulders, lungs, bronchi, spinal cord, upper arm and elbow, heart, liver, gall 144 bladder, kidney, stomach, pancreas, large intestine, small intestine, sexual organs and knees.

146 The printed areas have protrusions inside the sock and the bottom surface 147 which when pressed generate acupressure which benefits organs and a 148 number of ailments similar to applying needles for acupuncture.

149 A simplified use by a glove arid sock for the layperson, who does not have to be an expert in acupressure applications and theory such that the person has 151 to wear the glove and sock and press the printed region of the glove and sock 152 which will then provide benefits to the organs or ailments.

153 Another embodiment of the invention is that the beneficial areas will be colour 154 coded to represent the five elements of nature that also exist in our bodies through our organ system.

156 Another embodiment of the invention is that the names will be written in all 157 languages, to suit any country of usage.

158 Another embodiment of the invention is that the writing of the names will be 159 available in a Braille format for those that are visually impaired.

DESCRIPTION

Detailed Description:

Figure 1: AcupressureGlove 161 Figure 2: Acupressure Glove 162 Figure 3: Acupressure Sock 163 Figure 4: Acupressure Sock 164 Figure 1 describes the outlook of the acupressure glove with acupressure functionality. The glove has designated areas on the outside surface which 166 describes what ailment benefits are attainable from the acupressure glove.

167 The inner surface of the glove has protrusions which generate acupressure 168 points. The outside surface has clearly marked areas which when pressed will 169 generate acupressure benefits on bodily organs. The top end of the fingers and thumb (1) when pressed will aid the brain, Figure 1 shows the areas 171 which are as following; 172 1. Brain 173 2. Sinuses 174 3. Cold & Stresses 4. Ears 176 5. Eyes, Headaches 177 6. Shoulders 178 7. Chest, Breast 179 8. Lungs 9. Gall Bladder, Spleen 181 10. Liver 182 11. Oesophagus, Bronchi 183 12. Throat, Lymph, Colds 184 13. Pituitary Gland 14. Neck 186 15. Thyroids 187 16. Spine 188 17. Adrenal gland over kidney 189 18. Transverse Colon 19. Lymph System 191 20. Long Colon 192 21. Stomach 193 22. Duodenum, Small intestine 194 23. Urethra tube 24. Sacrum, Coccyx bones 196 25. Bladder 197 26. Rectum, Prostate, Uterus, Penis 198 27. Lower Lumber 199 28. Ovaries and Testicles Figure 2 shows the glove with printed areas which designates acupressure 201 points to benefit organs and ailments e.g. brain at top of the fingers and 202 thumb. Other acupressure benefits printed on the glove for vital organs and 203 body parts are sinuses, cold & stresses, ears, eyes, headaches, shoulders, 204 chest, breast, lungs, gall bladder, spleen, liver, oesophagus, bronchi, throat, 205 lymph, pituitary gland, neck, thyroids, spine, adrenal gland over kidney, 206 transverse colon, lymph system, long colon, stomach, duodenum, small 207 intestine, urethra tube, sacrum, coccyx bones, bladder, rectum, prostate, 208 uterus, penis, lower lumber, ovaries and testicles. These printed areas have 209 protrusions inside the glove surface which when pressed generate 210 acupressure which benefits a number of ailments similar to applying needles 211 for acupuncture. This invention simplifies the use of a glove to the layperson, 212 who does not have to be an expert in acupressure applications and theory.

213 The person has to wear the glove and press the printed region of the glove 214 e.g. the top of the fingers or thumb which will then provide benefits to the 215 brain. These areas will be marked and also colour coded. The writing will be in 216 all languages for any individual or country. And for blind persons, the writing 217 would also be in a Braille format.

218 Similarly, Figure 3 describes the outlook of the acupressure sock with an 219 acupressure functionality. The sock has designated areas on the outside 220 surface which describes what organ and body part benefits are attainable from 221 the acupressure sock. The inner surface of sock has protrusions which 222 generate acupressure points. The outside surface has clearly marked areas 223 which when pressed will generate acupressure benefits on bodily organs and 224 parts e.g. All toes (29) when pressed will aid the head, eyes, nose and ears.

225 Figure 3 shows the areas for organs and body parts as the following; 226 29. Head, Eye, Nose, Ear 227 30. Neck, Thyroid gland 228 31. Shoulder 229 32. Lung, Bronchi 230 33. Spinal Cord 231 34. UpperArm Elbow 232 35. Heart, Liver, Gall 233 36. Kidney 234 37. Stomach, Pancreas 235 38. Large Intestine 236 39. Small Intestine 237 40. Bladder 238 41. Sexual Organs 239 42, Knee 240 Figure 4 shows the sock with printed areas which designates acupressure 241 benefits to organs and the body e.g. head, eyes, nose, ears that are all 242 connected to our toes. Other acupressure benefits printed on the sock for vital 243 organs and body parts are the head, eyes, nose, ears, neck, thyroid gland, 244 shoulders, lungs, bronchi, spinal cord, upper arm elbow, heart, liver, gall 245 bladder, kidney, stomach, pancreas, large intestine, small intestine, sexual 246 organs and knees. These printed areas have protrusions inside the bottom 247 surface of the sock which when pressed generates acupressure which 248 benefits a number of organs and body parts similar to applying needles for 249 acupuncture to them. This invention simplifies the use of the sock to the 250 layperson, who does not have to be an expert in acupressure applications and 251 theory. The person has to wear the sock and press the printed region of the 252 sock e.g. toes which will then provide benefit to the head, eyes, nose and 253 ears. These areas will be marked and also colour coded. The writing will be in 254 all languages for any individual or country. And for blind persons, the writing 255 would also be in a Braille format.