WO2005018350A1

WO2005018350A1 - Acupressure socks

Info

Publication number: WO2005018350A1
Application number: PCT/KR2004/002147
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jae-Hyoung HONG
Original assignee: Gagmall Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2003-08-26
Filing date: 2004-08-26
Publication date: 2005-03-03
Also published as: CN1842280A; JP2007503531A; KR200341574Y1

Abstract

An acupressure sock for selectively stimulating reflex zones of a sole of a foot includes a sock fabric defining a shape of the sock and a plurality of protuberances attached on the sock fabric so as to selectively stimulate the reflex zones.

Description

ACUPRESSURE SOCKS

Technical Field The present invention relates to acupressure socks, and more particularly, to acupressure socks with protuberances disposed to correspond to selected reflex zones of the sole of a person wearing the shocks according to therapy purposes, thereby improving therapy maximizing acupressure effect.

Background Art It is well known that the foot is a small-scale map of a human body. That is, the various organs of the human body such as the kidney, heart, cerebellum, cerebrum, and the like are interrelated to blood vessels or nerve reflex spots disposed on the sole of the feet. The blood vessels and nerve reflex spots are called foot reflex zones in western countries. By stimulating the foot reflex zones, functions of the target organs can be controlled by the more intensive blood circulation flowing to the target organs, thereby enhancing the body energy and immunity. As a result, it becomes possible to prevent a disease and keep good health. As the means of transport is developed, the people intend to move using cars or trains rather than walking. Therefore, the stimulation of the foot reflex zone has been increasingly reduced. Due to this reason, an acupressure shoe with protuberances formed, for example, on a shoe liner has been developed. FIG. 1 shows a geometry of protuberances of conventional acupressure shoes provided with protuberances that are disposed so as to all of the reflex zones disposed on the sole of the foot. FIGs. 2 and 3 show another geometry of protuberances of conventional acupressure shoes disclosed in Korean laid-open patent No. 2000-0063905 (November 06, 2000) in which an insole provided with protuberances that are disposed so as to correspond to a part of the reflex zones disposed on the sole of the foot and a method for making the same are disclosed. As shown in the drawings, the protuberances are provided so as to correspond to a part of the reflex zones disposed on the sole of the foot so that impact applied on a part where the protuberances are formed can be absorbed by a part where the protuberances are not formed. The protuberances are arranged in a regular pattern. The reflex zones of the sole of the foot are designed having a different shape as shown in FIG. 4. Therefore, when the protuberances each formed in a small circular shape are regularly arranged in response to randomly selected reflex zones as shown in FIGs. 1, 2 and 3 or when the protuberances are also arranged so as to simultaneously stimulate the reflex zones disposed on the sole of the foot, the therapy effect is deteriorated. That is, it is impossible to control the function of the internal organs and blood circulation by simultaneously stimulating the randomly selected reflex zones. Therefore, the conventional acupressure shoes have a problem in that it cannot sufficiently provide a typical effect for preventing the disease by improving the immunity and increasing the internal energy of the human body. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the sole of the foot is a small-scale map of the organs of the human body. That is, 35 reflex zones corresponding to the 35 organs of the human body are located on the sole of the foot.

The protuberances are arranged so as to stimulate all of the reflex zones (i.e., kidney ( 1) -reflex zones, urethra (3) -reflex zones, bladde (4 ) -reflex zones, adrenal (2) - reflex zones, abdominal nurve plexus zones, front lobes (5)- reflex zones, neck/muscle-reflex zones, thyroid glands-reflex zones, trapezius-reflex zones, ear-reflex zones, nose (9)- reflex zones, stomach-reflex zones, gallbladder-reflex zones, appendix-reflex zones, and the like) or only one reflex zone. That is, the conventional arrangement of the protuberances is designed not to intensively stimulate desired reflex zones according to the therapy purpose.

Disclosure

Technical Problem Therefore, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above-described problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement of protuberances, which can intensively stimulate a specific reflex zone according to therapy purposes such as obesity suppression, energy improvement, growth improvement, and the like. It is another object of the present invention to provide acupressure socks provided with protuberances, thereby increasing a stimulation time and a stimulation range compared with a conventional acupressure shoe.

Technical Solution In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides an acupressure sock for selectively stimulating reflex zones of a sole of a foot, the acupressure shock comprising a sock fabric defining a shape of the sock; and a plurality of protuberances attached on the sock fabric so as to selectively stimulate the reflex zones. The protuberances may be formed of polyvinyl chloride containing ceramic or charcoal powder. The protuberances may be attached on at lease one of inner and outer surfaces of the sock fabric. When the sole of the foot is divided in 25 sections from a front end to a rear end, the sole being further divided into 10 sections from an innermost side end to an outermost side end, the 25 sections respectively having reference characters A-Z, the 10 sections respectively having reference numerals 1-10, the acupressure sock comprises protuberances disposed so as to correspond to kidney (1)- reflex zones J5, J6, K5, K6, L5 and L6, urethra (3) -reflex zones M4, N4, 03, 04, P3 and P4, and bladder (4 ) -reflex zones Q2, Q3, R2, R3, S2 and S3 of the sole of each of the left and right feet. Referring to FIG. 6, the protuberances are arranged so as to correspond to basic reflex zones such as kidney (1)- reflex zones J5, J6, K5, K6, L5 and L6, urethra (3) -reflex zones M4, N4, 03, 04, P3 and P4, and bladder (4 ) -reflex zones Q2, Q3, R2, R3, S2, and S3. The kidney functions to filter the blood that is being redirected from the tiptoe to the heart after being pumped out from the heart and directed to the tiptoe. Kidney is an important organ functioning to maintain proper water and electrolyte balance, regulate acid- base concentration, and filter the blood of metabolic wastes. In addition, the urethra is a canal through which urine is discharged from the bladder, and the bladder serves as a receptacle for storing the urine transmitted from the kidney and discharging the same when the same is increased to a predetermined level. The kidney (1) -reflex zones J5, J6, K5, K6, L5 and L6 are respectively located on concave portions under A-shaped cross-points formed under the second and third toes, the bladder (4 ) -reflex zones Q2, Q3, R2, R3, S2, and S3 are located on a slightly elevated portion under an inner ankle bone, and the urethra ( 3) -reflex zones M4, N4, 03, 04, P3, and P4 are located on portions interconnecting the kidney (1) -reflex zones K6 and K7 and the bladder (4 ) -reflex zones Q3 and R3. When stimulating the basic reflex zones [the kidney (1)- reflex zones J5, J6, K5, K6, L5 and L6, urethra (3) -reflex zones M4, N4, 03, 04, P3 and P4, and bladder (4 ) -reflex zones Q2, Q3, R2, R3, S2, and S3], the wastes (urine and the like) are transmitted from the kidney to the bladder through the urethra and are then discharged out of the body. That is, the wastes can be more actively transmitted and discharged by improving the blood circulation. As described above, the present invention is designed not to stimulate the irregularly and randomly selected reflex zones but to intensively stimulate the whole area of the specially selected reflex zones, thereby maximizing the desired acupressure effect. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, protuberances may be further disposed so as to correspond to adrenal (2 ) -reflex zones H5 and H6, thyroid glands (14 ) -reflex zones E3, F3, F4, G4, H4, 13, 14, J2, and J3, parathyroid glands (13) -reflex zones El and FI including a part of an inside portion of a foot that contacts the portions El and FI) , pituitary gland (6) -reflex zones B2, B3 and C2 and heart ( 19) -reflex zones 18 and 19 that are located on only the sole of the left foot. In this case, the obesity prevention and weight reduction effect can be further obtained. Based on the therapy effect (blood circulation and waste discharge effects) obtained by the protuberances disposed corresponding to the kidney (1) -reflex zones J5, J6, K5, K6, L5 and L6, the urethra (3) -reflex zones M4, N4, 03, 04, P3 and P4, and the bladder (4 ) -reflex zones Q2, Q3, R2, R3, S2 and S3, when the protuberances are further disposed corresponding to the thyroid glands (14 ) -reflex zones E3, F3, F4, G4, H4, 13, 14, J2 , and J3, the parathyroid glands (13)- reflex zones El and FI, the pituitary gland ( 6) -reflex zones B2, B3 and C2, and gonad (35) -reflex zones W4, W5, W6, W7 , X4, X5, X6, X7, Y4, Y5, Y6, and Y7, which are located on the left and right feet, as well as a gonad-reflex zone α located on a lower-rear portion of an outer ankle bone, a prostate gland-reflex zone β located on a lower-rear portion of an inner ankle bone, a urethra-reflex zone Y formed in an oblique line downward from a side of the prostate gland, a tailbone-reflex zone δ , and a lumbar-reflex zone ε , a thoracic vertebral-reflex zone ζ , and a cervical vertebral- reflex zone n, that are located below the prostate gland, the body energy improvement effect can be obtained. Based on the therapy effect (blood circulation and waste discharge effects) obtained by the protuberances disposed corresponding to the kidney (1) -reflex zones J5, J6, K5, K6, L5, and L6, the urethra (3) -reflex zones M4 , N4, 03, 04, P3, and P4, and the bladder (4 ) -reflex zones Q2, Q3, R2, R3, S2, and S3, when a plurality of hemispherical protuberances are further formed corresponding to the pituitary gland ( 6) -reflex zones B2, B3 and C2 and a cerebellum (10) -reflex zone D3, the growth effect of the children can be obtained.

Advantageous Effects As described above, the present invention is designed such that the protuberances are disposed to correspond to specifically selected reflex zones according to therapy purposes such as the improvement of blood circulation, growth stimulation, obesity suppression, and brain improvement, thereby improving the therapy effect. Furthermore, since the protuberances are applied to the socks, the reflex zones that are located on the top of the foot and ankles as well as the sole of the foot can be effectively stimulated.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view illustrating geometry of protuberances of conventional shoes; FIG. 2 is a view illustrating another geometry of protuberances of conventional shoes; FIG. 3 is a view illustrating another geometry of protuberances of conventional shoes; FIG. 4 is a view illustrating reflex zones formed on the soles of the feet; FIGs. 5 and 6 are views illustrating a structure of protuberances applied to acupressure socks of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a geometry of protuberances according to an embodiment of the present invention; and FIGs. 8 through 16 are views illustrating geometry of protuberances according to a variety of other embodiments of the present invention.

BEST MODE Acupressure socks of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings . FIG. 4 shows locations of the reflex zones formed on the soles of the feet by dividing the sole of the foot into 25 sections from a front end to a rear end and further dividing the sole into 10 sections from an innermost side end to an outermost side end, the 25 sections respectively having reference characters A-Z, the 10 sections respectively having reference numerals 1-10. FIGs. 5 and 6 are views illustrating a structure of protuberances applied to acupressure socks of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the protuberances are formed on an inner surface 11 of a socks by filling liquid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containing ceramic or charcoal powder in a mold having grooves each having a shape corresponding to the protuberance and printing the PVC on the inner surface 11 using a silk printing plate, and allowing the socks to pass through a heat dry apparatus. The protuberance has a hemispherical shape protruded to an inside of the sock. The protuberances are attached on an inner surface of the socks to selectively stimulate a plurality of foot reflex zones. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the protuberances are formed on an outer surface 11 of the socks by filling liquid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containing ceramic or charcoal powder in a mold having grooves each having a shape corresponding to the protuberance and printing the PVC on the inner surface 11 using a silk printing plate, and allowing the socks to pass through a heat dry apparatus. The protuberance has a hemispherical shape protruded to an outside of the sock. For example, 10W% ceramic or 10W% charcoal is mixed with 90W% PVC and the mixture is heated for about 3 minutes at 170^° C to be liquefied. The 10W% ceramic is preferably formed of 90W% bio-ceramic. The liquefied mixture is filled in a mold with grooves each having a shape identical to that of the protuberance and applied to socks through the silk printing. The socks applied printed with the liquefied mixture passes through the heat drier so that the printed liquefied mixture can be fixed thereon in the form of the protuberances. The protuberances depicted in FIGs. 5 and 6 are arranged corresponding to each reflex zone. Each of the protuberances may be formed in a single body or formed of a plurality of small projections. Alternatively, the protuberances may be formed of a circular or rectangular magnet . FIG. 7 shows an arrangement of the protuberances that is effective for preventing obesity and reducing body weight. As shown in the drawing, in addition to the protuberances disposed corresponding to the kidney (1) -reflex zones J5, J6, K5, K6, L5, and L6, the urethra (3) -reflex zones M4, N4, 03, 04, P3, and P4, and the bladder (4 ) -reflex zones Q2, Q3, R2, R3, S2, and S3, the protuberances are further disposed so as to correspond to adrenal (2 ) -reflex zones H5 and H6, thyroid glands ( 14 ) -reflex zones E3, F3, F4 , G4, H4, 13, 14, J2, and J3, parathyroid glands ( 13) -reflex zones El and FI including a part of an inside portion of a foot that contacts the portions El and FI), pituitary gland (6) -reflex zones B2, B3 and C2 and heart (19) -reflex zones 18 and 19 that are located only the sole of the left foot. In this case, the obesity preventing and weight reduction effect can be further obtained. Particularly, since the parathyroid glands (13) -reflex zones El and Fl includes an inner-side portion of the foot, that extends from the portions El and Fl, the protuberances are further disposed on the inner-side portion of the foot. Generally, the obesity is caused by excessive accumulation of fat due to the less active play of the body. That is, since a heat value of calories obtained by eating food is greater than that of calories consumed by the active play, the rest calories are converted into subcutaneous fat or adipose tissue and are then accumulated in the body, causing the obesity. There are many instances where it is difficult to reduce the fat of a specific part such as the abdomen, the fleshy inside of the thigh, the forearm, and the like. This becomes a source of trouble for many people who wish to reduce the weight. Such obesity is mostly caused by an abnormal (inter) action of endocrine glands. The endocrine glands of invertebrate animals include the pituitary grand (an anterior, an intermediate, and a posterior) , the thyroid grand, the parathyroid grand, and the adrenal grand. The endocrine glands interact to have an effect on each other. Describing each of the endocrine glands, the thyroid grand is located in front of and on either side of the trachea in humans to constantly maintain the palpitation of the heart and control the amount of oxygen in the body. When there is a problem in the thyroid grand, many symptoms such as the low consumption of oxygen, the obesity, the xeroderma, and lethargy are occurred. The thyroid grand (14 ) -reflex zones E3, F3, F4, G4, H4, 13, 14, J2 and J3 are located between the great toe and the second toe and at a middle portion under the great toe. By stimulating the thyroid grand-reflex zones E3, F3, F4 , G4, H4, 13, 14, J2 and J3, the function of the thyroid grand can be improved. Particularly, the stimulation of the thyroid grand-reflex zones is of sovereign remedy in curing the obesity. The pituitary grand is a small oval endocrine gland attached to the base of the vertebrate brain, having a 9-11mm length, a 7-9mm width, 6-8mm height, and 0,7-0.8g weight and consisting of an anterior, ϊ^ J and a posterior lobe. The anterior secrets a thyroid stimulating hormone to stimulate the hormone generation/secretion of the thyroid grand. The pituitary grand ( 6) -reflex zones B2, B3 and C2 are located on a fingerprint portion of the great toe. When the pituitary grand ( 6) -reflex zones B2, B3 and C2 are stimulated, the thyroid-stimulating hormone for stimulating the hormone generation/secretion of the thyroid grand is secreted. This is effective for the obesity. The adrenal grand and the parathyroid grand are endocrine glands, which secretes several steroid hormones and interact to influence the activity of the thyroid grand. The adrenal grand (2 ) -reflex zones H5 and H6 are located just above the kidney (1) -reflex zones J5, J6, K5, K6, L5 and Lβ. The parathyroid grand (13) -reflex zones El and Fl are located on a concave portion under a root of the great toe. The stimulation of the adrenal grand (2 ) -reflex zones H5 and H6 and the parathyroid grand (13) -reflex zones El and Fl activates the thyroid grand, being effective in preventing and suppressing the obesity. Describing the relationship between the heart and the obesity, when the weight is increased, the repeat motion of the heart is also increased, thereby weakening the function of the heat and causing the functional disorder of the left ventricle . The heart-reflex zones 18 and 19 are located on a concave portion under a convex portion between fourth and fifth toes. The stimulation of the heart-reflex zones 18 and

19 improves the function of the heart, being effective on the obesity. FIGs. 8 through 15 show a geometry of protuberances according to a variety of other embodiments of the present invention. In FIG. 8, the protuberances are formed corresponding to the thyroid glands (14 ) -reflex zones E3, F3, F4 , G4, H4, 13, 14, J2, and J3, the parathyroid glands (13) -reflex zones El and Fl, the pituitary gland ( 6) -reflex zones B2, B3 and C2, gonad (35) -reflex zones W4, W5, W6, W7 , X4, X5, X6, X7, Y4, Y5, Y6, and Y7 as well as the kidney (1) -reflex zones J5, J6, K5, K6, L5, and L6, urethra (3) -reflex zones M4, N4, 03, 04, P3, and P4, and bladder (4 ) -reflex zones Q2, Q3, R2, R3, S2, and S3. FIGs. 8 through 15 show that geometries of the protuberances relating to the improvement of the body energy. The protuberances are disposed corresponding to the gonad- reflex zone α , the prostate gland-reflex zone β , the urethra-reflex zone Y , the tailbone-reflex zone δ , the lumbar-reflex zone ε , the thoracic vertebral-reflex zone ζ , and the cervical vertebral-reflex zone tx . The reflex zones relating to the body energy will be described hereinafter. The gonad-reflex zones α (W3, W4, W5, W6, W7, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, Y4, Y5, Y6, and Y7) are located on a lower-rear portion of an outer ankle bone. The stimulation of the genital glad-reflex zones is effective in curing the insomnia, the menstrual problems, the sexual problem, and the prostatomegaly. The prostate gland-reflex zone β is located on a lower-rear portion of an inner ankle bone. The reflex zone corresponds to a male sexual organ corresponding to the womb. The stimulation of the prostate gland-reflex zone has a therapy effect in curing the prostatitis, the urine problem, and the hematuria. The urethra-reflex zone is located under the ankle bone. The urethra is a passage through which waste such as urine is discharged out of the body. Therefore, the stimulation of the urethra-reflex zone has a therapy effect in curing the urine problem and the urethritis. The tailbone-reflex zone δ is located under the prostate gland. The stimulation of the tailbone-reflex zone enhances the basin. The lumbar-reflex zone ε is located on a linear line in front of the tailbone-reflex zone. The stimulation of the lumbar-reflex zone is effective in easing the stitch of the waist . The thoracic vertebral-reflex zone is located on a linear line in front of the lumbar-reflex zone. The stimulation of the thoracic vertebral is effective in easing the stitch of the breast and shoulder. The cervical vertebral-reflex zone η, is located on first and second articulations to support the head. The stimulation of the cervical vertebral-reflex zone is effective in easing the stitch of the neck. FIG. 16 shows a geometry of the protuberances relating to the growth of the children. As shown in the drawing, the protuberances are formed corresponding to the pituitary gland ( 6) -reflex zones B2, B3 and C2 and the cerebrum (10) -reflex zone D3 of the soles of the left and right feet as well as the kidney (1) -reflex zones J5, J6, K5, K6, L5, and L6, urethra (3) -reflex zones M4, N4, 03, 04, P3, and P4, and bladder (4 ) -reflex zones Q2, Q3, R2, R3, S2, and S3. The pituitary grand (6) -reflex zones B2, B3 and C2 are located on a fingerprint portion of the great toe. The pituitary grand is a small oval endocrine gland attached to the base of the vertebrate brain, having a 9-1lmm length, a 7-9mm width, 6-8mm height, and 0,7-0.8g weight and consisting of an anterior, an intermediate and a posterior lobe. The anterior secrets a thyroid stimulating hormone to stimulate the hormone generation/secretion of the thyroid grand. When the pituitary grand ( 6) -reflex zones B2, B3 and C2 are stimulated, the thyroid-stimulating hormone for stimulating the hormone generation/secretion of the thyroid grand is secreted. This is effective for growing the children. The cerebellum (10) -reflex zone D3 is located on an inner-lower end of the big toe. The cerebellum is designed to control the senses of equilibrium and motion of the body. Therefore, the stimulation of the cerebellum ( 1) -reflex zone D3 is effective in the growth of the muscle and skeletal of the children by developing the sense of motion. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. An acupressure sock for selectively stimulating reflex zones of a sole of a foot, the acupressure shock comprising: a sock fabric defining a shape of the sock; and a plurality of protuberances attached on the sock fabric so as to selectively stimulate the reflex zones.

2. The acupressure sock of claim 1, wherein the protuberances are formed of polyvinyl chloride containing ceramic or charcoal powder.

3. The acupressure sock of claim 1, wherein the protuberances are attached on at lease one of inner and outer surfaces of the sock fabric.

4. An acupressure sock for selectively stimulating reflex zones of a sole of a foot, the sole of the foot being divided in 25 sections from a front end to a rear end, the sole being further divided into 10 sections from an innermost side end to an outermost side end, the 25 sections respectively having reference characters A-Z, the 10 sections respectively having reference numerals 1-10, the acupressure sock comprising: protuberances disposed so as to correspond to kidney ( 1) -reflex zones J5, J6, K5, K6, L5, and L6, urethra (3) -reflex zones M4, N4, 03, 04, P3, and P4, and bladder (4) -reflex zones Q2, Q3, R2, R3, S2, and S3 of the sole of each of the left and right feet.

5. The acupressure sock of claim 4, further comprising protuberances disposed so as to correspond to adrenal (2) - reflex zones H5 and H6, thyroid glands (14 ) -reflex zones E3, F3, F4, G4, H4, 13, 14, J2, and J3, parathyroid glands (13)- reflex zones El and Fl including a part of an inside portion of a foot that contacts the portions El and Fl), pituitary gland (6) -reflex zones B2, B3 and C2 of the soles of the left and right feet, and heart (19) -reflex zones 18 and 19 that are located only on the sole of the left foot.

6. The acupressure sock of claim 4, further comprising protuberances disposed so as to correspond to thyroid glands (14) -reflex zones E3, F3, F4, G4, H4, 13, 14, J2, and J3, parathyroid glands (13) -reflex zones El and Fl, pituitary gland ( 6) -reflex zones B2, B3 and C2, and gonad (35) -reflex zones W4, W5, W6, W7, X4, X5, X6, X7, Y4, Y5, Y6, and Y7, which are located on the left and right feet, as well as to a gonad-reflex zone α located on a lower-rear portion of an outer ankle bone, a prostate gland-reflex zone β located on a lower-rear portion of an inner ankle bone, a urethra-reflex zone formed in an oblique line downward from a side of the prostate gland, a tailbone-reflex zone δ , and a lumbar- reflex zone ε , a thoracic vertebral-reflex zone , and a cervical vertebral-reflex zone η, .

7. The acupressure sock of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of hemispherical protuberances disposed so as to correspond to pituitary gland ( 6) -reflex zones B2, B3 and C2 and a cerebellum (10) -reflex zone D3.