Electric vest for treatment of anatomically-interrelated regions of the upper torso

• US 20080237209A1
• Filed: 03/26/2007
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert E. Gibbons
• Original Assignee: Robert E. Gibbons
• Inventors: Gibbons, Robert E.
• Application Number:
  US11/728,527
• Publication Number:
  US 20080237209A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/211
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0071 using a resistor, e.g. near the spot to be heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0234 for the upper part of the trunk, e.g. bodice
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/007 characterised by electric heating
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/003 using serpentine layout
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/014 Heaters using resistive wires or cables not provided for in H05B3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/017 Manufacturing methods or apparatus for heaters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/032 Heaters specially adapted for heating by radiation heating
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/033 Heater including particular mechanical reinforcing means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/036 Heaters specially adapted for garment heating
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/342 heaters used in textiles

Abstract

An electric vest for therapeutic heating of the upper torso. An insulated electrical conductor is fixed to a canvas matrix by means of metal clips. The canvas matrix in layout resembles a face shaped region with radially-directed ears shaped regions so that, when worn over the shoulders of user, the pectoralis muscles of the upper chest, the trapezius muscles of the upper back and the posterior cervical muscles are covered. The electrical conductor is fixed to a path traversing the canvas matrix whereby heating is simultaneously provided to the neck, upper back and upper chest regions of the wearer.

Claims

1. An electric heating vest for applying heat to predetermined areas of the body of a wearer comprising, in combination:

a) an electrical cord;

b) said electrical cord being fixed in a pattern on a flexible matrix having a boundary;

c) said flexible matrix being shaped to include regions for overlying predetermined muscle groups of the upper torso of said wearer; and

d) said pattern of said electrical cord traversing said regions of said flexible matrix shaped to overlie the pectoral, trapezius and posterior cervical muscle groups of said wearer.

2. An electric heating vest as defined in claim 1 further including a controller for receiving and converting an a.c. input into a selectable output for energizing said electrical cord.

3. An electric heating vest as defined in claim 2 wherein said electrical cord is looped throughout said regions of said flexible matrix.

4. An electric heating vest as defined in claim 3 further including a plurality of metal clips arranged along the length of said looped electrical cord for affixing said electrical cord to said flexible matrix.

5. An electric heating vest as defined in claim 4 wherein said flexible matrix comprises canvas.

6. An electric heating vest as defined in claim 5 further including a cover comprising opposed sheets of flexible material wherein each of said flexible sheets of material is substantially shaped and sized to conform to said flexible matrix.

7. An electric vest as defined in claim 6 wherein said cover includes material for emitting infrared radiation in response to the application of heat.

8. An electric heating vest as defined in claim 1 wherein said boundary of said flexible matrix defines a pattern resembling face-shaped, ear-shaped and scalp-shaped regions.

9. An electric heating vest as defined in claim 7 further characterized in that:

a) said face-shaped region is arranged to cover said trapezius muscle group;

b) said ear-shaped regions are arranged to cover said pectoral muscle group; and

c) said scalp-shaped region is arranged to cover said posterior cervical muscle group.

10. An electric heating vest as defined in claim 9 wherein said electrical cord traverses a generally-diamond shaped pattern within said face shaped region of said flexible matrix.

11. An electric heating vest as defined in claim 10 wherein said electrical cord traverses a major dimension of said scalp shaped region of said flexible matrix.

12. An electric heating vest as defined in claim 11 wherein said electrical cord traverses a major dimension of each of said ear shaped regions.