Combination Vibrational And Thermal Jumper

Abstract

The disclosed inventive concept comprises a form-fitting body suit, or thermal juniper for wearing by a person, the jumper further comprising an internalized plurality of separate but integral pads. Each of the pads is secured within a pocket attached to the interior surface of the jumper, the pockets corresponding to the location of specific parts of the human anatomy when the jumper is donned by a wearer. Each pad functions as 1) a conductor of varying ranges of heat and 2) a source of vibration when integral wiring in the pad is activated by electrical current generated by at least one battery or rechargeable battery pack.

Claims

1. A one-piece, form-fitting body suit for wearing by a person, the body suit comprising an internalized plurality of separate, flexible pads, each pad being secured within pockets integral to the body suit, the pockets corresponding to the location of various parts of the human anatomy, and further each pad is fabricated with electrical wiring for connectivity to a source and means of generating heat to each pad.

2. A body suit as in claim 1, wherein the beat source is mechanically or automatically controlled to a specific temperature range as controlled by a wearer of the body suit.

3. A body suit as in claim 1, wherein a wrist-mounted controller device is utilized to mechanically or automatically control the heat source to provide heat within a specific temperature range.

4. A body suit as in claim 1, wherein the source and means of supplying heat is directed and distributed to any combination of pads of the body suit.

5. A body suit as in claim 1, wherein, the means and source of supplying heat to the pads consists of electrically-powered carbon fiber elements embedded the pads.

6. A body suit as in claim 1, wherein a standalone remote control device is utilized to manually or automatically control the heat source to provide heat within a specific temperature range.

7. A body suit as in claim 1, wherein an exterior side pocket is utilized for storing any of a variety of direct current power units, including single-use batteries and rechargeable battery packs.

8. A one-piece, form-fitting body suit for wearing by a person, the body suit comprising an internalized plurality of separate, flexible pads, each pad being secured within pockets integral to the body suit, the pockets corresponding to the location of various parts of the human anatomy, and further, each pad is fabricated with electrical wiring for connectivity to a source and means of generating vibrational sensations to the entirety of each pad.

9. A body suit as in claim 8, wherein the vibrating means is mechanically or automatically controlled to a range of amplitude and frequency of vibration in accordance with controls utilized by a wearer of the body suit

10. A body suit as in claim 8, wherein a wrist-mounted controller device is utilized to mechanically or automatically control a range of amplitude and frequency of vibration produced by the vibrating means.

11. A body suit as in claim 8, wherein the source and means of supplying vibration is directed and distributed to any combination of pads of the body suit.

12. A body suit as in claim 8, wherein, the means and source of supplying vibration to the pads consists of electrically-powered carbon fiber elements embedded in the pads.

13. A body suit as in claim 8, wherein a standalone remote control device is utilized to manually or automatically control the source and means of vibration within a specific amplitude and frequency range.

14. A body suit as in claim 8, wherein an exterior side pocket is utilized for storing any of a variety of direct current power units, including single-use batteries and rechargeable battery packs.

15. A one-piece, form-fitting body suit for wearing by a person, the body suit comprising an internalized plurality of separate, flexible pads, each pad being secured within pockets integral to the body suit, the pockets corresponding to the location of various parts of the human anatomy, wherein each pad is fabricated with electrical wiring for connectivity to a source and means of generating (a) heat to the pad and (b) vibrational sensation to the entirety of the pad.

16. A body suit as in claim 15, wherein the heat source is mechanically or automatically controlled to a specific temperature range as controlled by a wearer of the body suit.

17. A body suit as in claim 15, wherein a wrist-mounted controller device is utilized to mechanically or automatically control the heat source to provide heat within a specific temperature range.

18. A body suit as in claim 15, wherein the vibrating means is mechanically or automatically controlled to a range of amplitude and frequency of vibration in accordance with controls utilized by a wearer of the body suit

19. A body suit as in claim 15, wherein a wrist-mounted controller device is utilized to mechanically or automatically control a range of amplitude and frequency of vibration produced by the vibrating means.

20. A body suit as in claim 15, wherein both (a) the source and means of supplying heat and (b) the means of vibrating the entirety of the pad are each directed and distributed to any combination of pads of the body suit.

21. A body suit as in claim 15, wherein, the means and source of supplying heat to the pads consists of electrically-powered carbon fiber elements embedded the pads.

22. A body suit as in claim 15, wherein a standalone remote control device is utilized to manually or automatically control the heat source to provide heat within a specific temperature range and further, the source of vibration to control vibration within a range of amplitude and frequency.

23. A body suit as in claim 15, wherein an exterior side pocket is utilized for storing a selected variety of direct current power units, including one or more single-use batteries.

24. A body suit as in claim 15, wherein an exterior side pocket is utilized for storing a selected variety of direct current power units, including one or more rechargeable battery packs.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS AS EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT

[0015] FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a stylized version of the thermal jumper 1 showing predominately the frontal padding elements 13 system including pads of the shoulders 40, 41, biceps 50, 51, lungs 60, 61, inner elbows 48, 49, lower abdomen 68, inner thighs 30, 31, kneecaps 26, 27, ankles 22, 23, and foot insteps 20, 21. Also shown is the wrist-mounted controller 2. The frontal padding elements 13 shown typify the preferred embodiment of the thermal jumper 1. Other embodiments may contain more or fewer of the padding elements 13. Further, the relative size of the frontal padding elements 13 as shown, are for illustrative purposes only, and do not serve to limit or restrict their size or location.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a rear view of a stylized version of the thermal jumper 1 which predominantly shows the rear padding elements 14 system, including neck 64, 65, shoulder tops 40, 41, shoulder blades 42, 43, spinal areas 36, 37, 38, elbows 46, 47, wrists 52, 53, gluteous 34, 35 inner knees 28, 29, and calves 24, 25. The rear padding elements 14 shown typify the preferred embodiment of the thermal jumper 1. Other embodiments may contain more or fewer of the padding elements 14. Further, the relative size of the rear padding elements 14 as shown, are fir illustrative purposes only, and do not serve to limit or restrict their size or location.

[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a stylized version of the typical pad 9 heating and vibrational element used in the thermal jumper 1, further showing wiring 3 that may conduct electrical current to the individual pad 9.

[0018] FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of the right inner thigh 31 pad 9.

[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates the wrist-mounted controller 2 along with various control settings available.

[0020] FIG. 6 depicts the typical construction of wiring 3 that may be utilized in the jumper 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The objects, features, and advantages of the inventive concept presented in this application are more readily understood when referring to the accompanying drawings. The drawings, totaling six figures, show the basic components and functions of the preferred embodiment. In the several figures, like reference numbers are used in each figure to correspond to the same component as may be depicted in other figures.

[0022] The disclosed inventive concept comprises a form-fitting body suit, referred to as a thermal jumper 1. The thermal jumper 1 is for wearing by a person who seeks the soothing application of warm temperatures to a variety of locations on the anatomy, particularly aching joints or areas of muscular distress due to injury. These temperatures are generated by a plurality of frontal pack systems 13 comprising heat padding elements 9 and a plurality of rear pack systems 14 of the same type heating padding elements 9. A separate, continuous wiring system 3 not only conveys electrical current for heating each of the pads 9, but also provides electrical current to induce minute vibrations emitting from either or both the frontal pack 13 or the rear pack 14 systems, whichever of these the wearer selects.

[0023] Referring to the drawing figures in general, the thermal jumper 1 preferably includes heating pads 20-68 located on every major muscle and joint in the body, a controller 2 with separate switches for adjusting the heat intensity, as well as setting the desired level of vibration in the pads 9. The components must be powered by a D-cell rechargeable battery. The thermal jumper 1 may be manufactured from materials common to the heating pad, industry with all the consumer safety matters taken into consideration.

[0024] The heat and vibrational therapy provided by the thermal jumper 1 are effective in relieving tightness of various muscle groups and recovering from muscular injuries. Blood circulation is improved due to the moderate heat application dilating the blood vessels in those areas in contact with the pads 9. Blood circulates more readily throughout the muscles, the spinal column, and bodily organs. The functioning of the lungs improves while wearing the thermal jumper 1, as oxygen flow is improved. Slight perspiration, which may be generated by use of the thermal jumper 1, helps the body rid itself of toxins through the pores of the skin. The heat applied by the pads 9 of the thermal jumper 1 promotes the body's level of cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone, thereby allowing a wearer to relax and de stress.

[0025] The thermal jumper 1 is formed from elastomeric material and is suitably sized and shaped for being, tightly fitted along the skin 6 surface area of a human body. The jumper 1 accessories include a rechargeable power source, a controller 2 electrically coupled thereto and a plurality of sensors in communication with the controller 2. The sensors regularly detect the real time temperature of various body regions and cooperate with a plurality of heat emitting pads 20-68 for improving blood circulation throughout the user's blood vessels.

[0026] The pads 9 of the front and rear pack systems 13, 14 are secured within pad pockets 4 fabricated between a first inner material 7 and a second outer material 8, both of these materials being conjoined at a seam 19 about the perimeter of each pad pocket 4. The heating pads 20-68, as stated previously, are secured within pad pockets 4, and a seam 19 at each pad also forms a junction with the inner and outer materials 7, 8, thereby comprising the overall contour of the thermal jumper 1. The entirety of the thermal jumper 1, including the inner and outer materials 7, 8 and the locations of the heating pads 20-68 correspond to the location of specific muscular groupings and/or joints of the human anatomy when the thermal jumper 1 is donned by a user.

[0027] Beginning with FIG. 1, there is illustrated a frontal view of a stylized version of the thermal jumper 1, showing primarily the front pad heating elements 13. Starting with the upper portion of the thermal jumper 1, there is shown a right neck pad 64, a left neck pad 65, a right top shoulder pad 41, a left top shoulder pad 40, a right breast pad 63, a left breast pad 62, a right lung pad 61, a left lung pad 62, a right abdominal pad 67, and a abdominal pad 68.

[0028] Continuing with FIG. 1, there is further shown a mid-body zipper 10, a right front shoulder pad 45, a left front shoulder pad 44, a left bicep pad 51, a right bicep pad 50, a right arm fold pad 49, a left arm fold pad 48, a right side pocket 5, a right outer thigh pad 33, a left outer thigh pad 32, a right inner thigh pad 31, a left inner thigh pad 30, a right kneecap pad 27, a left kneecap pad 26, a right calf pad 25, a left calf pad 24, a right ankle pad 23, a left ankle pad 22, a right foot instep pad 21, and a left foot instep pad 20.

[0029] In referring to FIG. 2, there is shown the general arrangement of the rear pack systems 14. Starting with the upper portion of the thermal jumper 1, there is shown the right neck pad 64, left neck pad 65, right top shoulder pad 41, left top shoulder pad 40, a left shoulder blade pad, a right shoulder blade pad 43, a left elbow pad 46, a right elbow pad 47, a left wrist pad 52, a right wrist pad 53, an upper spine pad 38, a mid-spine pad 37, a lower spine pad 36, a left gluteous pad, a right gluteous pad 35, a left breast pad 62, a right lung pad 61, a left lung pad 62, a right abdominal pad 67, a left inner thigh pad 30, a right inner thigh pad 31, a left inner knee pad 28, a right inner knee pad 29, a left rear calf pad 24, and a right rear calf pad 25.

[0030] Integral to the thermal jumper 1 are sections of thin, web-like material located under each arm pit and the crotch area, thereby providing ventilation to these parts of the body.

[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a stylized, cross-sectional view of the typical pad 9 heating and vibrational component used in the thermal jumper 1, further showing the location of a length or plurality of lengths of wiring 3 which becomes heated by electrical current supplied to the individual pad 9. The wiring 3, in the preferred embodiment, is composed of insulated, thin carbon fiber that works from low voltage outputs of 12 to 24 volts. The wiring 3, is fabricated integral to each pad 9 and is further connected to a general distribution wire leading from a battery or battery packs contained within a side pocket 5 of the thermal jumper 1. The heat may thus be supplied to all pads 9 which internally contain one, or a plurality of the wires 3.

[0032] Direct current electricity is required in the preferred embodiment and may be provided by means of single-use batteries or one or more rechargeable battery packs contained in the side pocket 5. In other embodiments, carbon fiber embedded in the pads 9 may be the heat conducting mechanism.

[0033] In the preferred embodiment, the thermal jumper 1 will utilize rechargeable batteries, which are available in a variety of sizes to accommodate the electrical current needs of the thermal jumper 1. Rechargeable battery sizes include AAA, AA, C, D, and 9 volt. Further, many brands of rechargeable batteries are sold as sets that include a charger. An appropriate battery charger may be included as part of the components of the thermal jumper 1. Nickel-Zinc and Lithium-Ion batteries require specialized chargers. However, nickel-metal hydride and nickel-cadmium batteries can be used with universal chargers. In some embodiments, the thermal jumper 1 may be provided electrical current by means of an ac-dc adaptor.

[0034] FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of the right inner thigh pad 31, typical of the general jumper 1 pads 9, as it is pressed against the skin 6 of the inner thigh of a wearer. In FIG. 4, the pad 9 is illustrated fitting within a pad pocket 4, the pad pocket 4 having been formed by the inner material 7 and the outer material 8. A portion of stitching 19, connecting the inner material 7 and the outer material 8, is shown at each terminal end of the pocket 4.

[0035] The controller 2 may, in different embodiments, include an electronic user interface preferably comprising a set of controls, a processor, and a memory function to effectively operate the heating pads 9 according to the needs of the user. The aforementioned user interface may include a variety of stand-alone or shared devices that are capable of generating and transmitting a control signal upon receiving a user input. For example, exemplary user interface devices may include a remote controller employing RF, infra-red, acoustic, or cellular technology, as well known in the industry.

[0036] In alternate embodiments, the user interface may include a handheld computer, a PDA, a cell phone, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. that may be comprised of commercially available hardware and software operating systems, for example. The aforementioned user interfaces are intended to represent a broad category of exemplary user interfaces capable of functioning in accordance with the present invention. Of course, the user interfaces may include other components, peripherals and software applications provided they are compatible and capable of operating the numerous pads 9 contained within the thermal juniper 1.

[0037] For providing vibration movement and sensations to each pad 9, the means utilized may be an electrical current directed to multi-level piezo-electric chips or directed to mechanical vibrators imbedded within the pads 9. Electrically-driven mechanical vibrators, which vibrate at a frequency of 20-to-50 cycles per second, may be incorporated into each of the pads 9. Studies have shown that muscle tension caused by physical injury, emotional stress, or overwork, can be released by a combination of heat and vibration. Peter La Grasse, LMT; Symposium, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Jun. 19, 2003.

[0038] While preferred embodiments of the present inventive concept have been, shown and disclosed herein, it will be obvious to those persons skilled in the art that such embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not as a limitation to the scope of the inventive concept. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions may occur or be suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the intent, scope, and totality of this inventive concept. Such variations, changes, and substitutions may involve other features which are already known per se and which may be used instead of, in combination with, or in addition to features already disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is intended that this inventive concept be inclusive of such variations, changes, and substitutions, and by no means limited by, the scope of the claims presented herein.