Relaxation device

• US 6,368,293 B1
• Filed: 12/23/1999
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eric P. Orgeron, Philip J. Delatte
• Original Assignee: Eric P. Orgeron, Philip J. Delatte
• Inventors: Delatte, Philip J., Orgeron, Eric P.
• Primary Examiner(s): YU, JUSTINE ROMANG
• Application Number:
  US09/471,968
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 601/46, 601/49, 601/67, 601/89, 601/70, 601/71, 601/75, 601/122, 601/119, 601/15, 600/9, 606/201, 606/204.15
• US Class Current: 601/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0263 using rotating unbalanced masses
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 7/006 Helmets for head-massage baths for the head A61H35/008; washing, rinsing, drying A45D

Abstract

Apparatus (110) for facilitating relaxing includes a helmet (120) made of a soft material, a vibration source (41) in the helmet, and a relatively hard transmission network (30) for transmitting vibration from the vibration source throughout the helmet. Preferably, there is a power source (42) remote from the helmet for powering the vibration source (41) in the helmet (120) so that the user is not exposed to EMF from the power source (42). This can be accomplished by having a flexible shaft (44), with one end of the shaft (44) at the power source 42 and the other end terminating in the vibration source (41) in the helmet (20). Preferably, there are handles (61) on the helmet (120) to allow a facilitator to help a user use the apparatus (110) by holding onto the handles (61) while vibration occurs. An optional auxiliary pressure source (70) can be used by the facilitator or by an additional facilitator to apply more pressure during vibration. Adjustment slits (50) allow fine tuning of the shape of the helmet. Strap guides (55) help secure a strap (not shown) which is used to adjust the shape of the helmet (120) by pulling the strap tight around the helmet.

Claims

1. Apparatus for facilitating relaxing, comprising:

a helmet made of a soft material;

a vibrating means in the helmet;

a mechanical power source remote from the helmet for powering the vibrating means in the helmet so that the user is not exposed to electromagnetic field from the power source;

a flexible shaft for transmitting mechanical energy from the mechanical power source to the vibrating means in the helmet; and

relatively hard transmission means for transmitting vibration from the vibrating means throughout the helmet.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the helmet is shaped to cover a user'"'"'s eyes during use.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

magnets in the helmet.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the helmet is shaped to cover a user'"'"'s eyes during use.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the magnets have a strength of about 1250-3500 gauss.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the magnets are round and have a diameter of about 0.250-0.750 inch (6.35-19.05 mm) and a thickness of about 0.125-0.375 inch (3.175-9.525 mm).

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a clamping apparatus, for use in conjunction with the helmet, the clamping apparatus including:

opposed gripping jaws;

handles for moving the gripping jaws from a position in which the gripping jaws are open and can freely move over the helmet to a position in which the gripping jaws are closed and put pressure on the helmet.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the helmet is shaped to cover a user'"'"'s eyes during use.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the helmet includes a shell made of a material having a density of about 1.0-2.5 lbs. per cubic foot (0.016019-0.0400475 g/cc).

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the helmet includes an inner shell made of a material having a density of about 1.0-2.5 lbs. per cubic foot (0.016019-0.0400475 g/cc), and an outer shell made of a material having a Durometer hardness of about 50 shore A—

95 shore D.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising handles on the helmet.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

magnets in the helmet; and

a clamping apparatus, including opposed gripping jaws and handles for moving the gripping jaws from a position in which the gripping jaws are open and can freely move over the helmet to a position in which the gripping jaws are closed and put pressure on the helmet.

13. A method of facilitating relaxing, comprising:

providing the apparatus of claim 12;

placing the helmet on a user'"'"'s head;

causing the helmet to vibrate.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein pressure is provided on the helmet during vibration by pressing down on or pulling down on handles attached to the helmet.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein pressure is also provided on the helmet during vibration with an auxiliary pressure means gripping the helmet.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein pressure is provided on the helmet during vibration with an auxiliary pressure means gripping the helmet.

17. A method of facilitating relaxing, comprising:

providing the apparatus of claim 1;

placing the helmet on a user'"'"'s head;

causing the helmet to vibrate.

18. Apparatus for facilitating relaxing, comprising:

a helmet made of a soft material;

a vibrating means in the helmet;

a mechanical power source remote from the helmet for powering the vibrating means in the helmet so that the user is not exposed to electromagnetic field from the power source; and

a flexible shaft for transmitting mechanical energy from the mechanical power source to the vibrating means in the helmet.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the helmet is shaped to cover a user'"'"'s eyes during use.