Modular device for stimulating and relaxing the human body for physical or mental preparation and / or recovery

Abstract

Modular device for stimulating and relaxing the human body for recovery or physical or mental preparation, consisting of a base mattress (1) made up of two monobloc end cushions (1'), and at least one monobloc central cushion (1"), which are connected to each other by a flexible hinge (2) and arranged to receive means of stimulation and relaxation, such as vibrating and / or magnetic pads or heating elements.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for stimulating and relaxing the human body, intended to carry out physical or mental preparation and / or recovery before, respectively after, an effort, said device being designed to allow the formation of a modular assembly to ensure the localized and simultaneous treatment of different areas of the body by vibration, by magnetic field or by heating, without requiring the device to be adapted or adjusted on a case-by-case basis according to the morphology of the user, or to be connected to any other device.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to an electrical stimulation and relaxation device in which an impulse is transmitted to elements that are not in contact with the patient's body, while being able to heat the treated area by radiation using elements in contact with the patient's body.

[0003] The use of mechanical, electrical, magnetic or electromagnetic impulses to cause vibrations by means of which certain areas of the human body are then stimulated or relaxed in order to relieve pain or to allow the repair of organs affected or damaged, following an accident or due to poor posture, is known in itself.

[0004] It is also well known to use heat sources that warm the area to be treated, thus facilitating the treatment.

[0005] There are therefore many devices or apparatus which are commonly used by physiotherapists or in rehabilitation centers or by sports trainers, in the form of tables or seats with vibrating and / or heating elements and / or using magnetic fields to stimulate and massage, before or after exertion.

[0006] The patient is placed in a sitting or lying position which he must maintain throughout the cycle.

[0007] An example is described in document FR2659550 concerning a massage mat composed of rows of massage cells, each row being able to be operated in a differentiated manner.

[0008] This solution has the drawback of requiring the patient to remain immobile until the end of the cycle. Furthermore, it does not allow for highly localized treatments.

[0009] There are also compact, handheld devices with a vibrating or magnetically generating end piece that the user or practitioner moves manually over the treatment area. The effectiveness of this type of device remains limited, and its use is cumbersome, as the operator must maintain constant attention to keep the device in position and generally cannot use it alone. An example of such a device is illustrated in document FR 2531335.

[0010] These devices are unsatisfactory because they require the constant presence of an operator and are neither modular nor easily usable in all locations and circumstances. Indeed, they allow treatment through radiation, vibration, or magnetic fields, but without the ability to choose between the three modalities or combine them.

[0011] The present invention aims to remedy these various drawbacks by providing an autonomous and universal stimulation and relaxation device that can be used on any area of ​​a user's body, regardless of their morphology, ensuring that the user has total control over the use of the device, including the cycles of mechanical or magnetic vibrations, without requiring the presence of a third-party operator or heavy equipment to hold the device in place for the duration of the treatment.

[0012] The stimulation and relaxation device according to the invention is characterized in particular in that the means of stimulation and relaxation by mechanical or magnetic vibrations, or heating, are arranged in several monobloc cushions associated to form a basic mattress, each of the cushions having means of quick attachment and detachment allowing the placement of various accessories depending on the treatment to be carried out.

[0013] The invention will be better understood through the following description of a non-limiting example of its embodiment, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [ Fig.1 [ ] represents the device according to the invention with four one-piece cushions joined to form a basic mattress. Fig.2 [ ] shows the four one-piece cushions folded one on top of the other. ] Fig.3 ] shows the unfolded device to which side armrests have been added, [ Fig.4 ] shows the device on which a self-contained heating element has been placed, [ Fig.5 ] shows the device to which an ergonomic headrest has been added, [ Fig.6 ] is an exploded view showing the different component parts of the device according to the invention.

[0014] As we can see [ Fig.1 ], the device according to the invention is composed of a base mattress (I) made up of monobloc cushions (1', 1") of substantially equal dimensions, which are connected to each other by a flexible hinge (2).

[0015] In the embodiment described and shown in the figures, the base mattress comprises two end one-piece cushions (1') on either side of two central one-piece cushions (1").

[0016] This allows for the creation of a surface whose length corresponds to the average height of an adult. It should be clear that there is nothing preventing the use of a mattress with a different number of central, single-piece cushions, depending on whether a shorter or longer configuration is desired.

[0017] The combination of the one-piece cushions that make up the base mattress using a flexible hinge allows the cushions to be folded on top of each other, to facilitate transport or storage of the device when not in use, as shown [ Fig.2 ].

[0018] When the four one-piece cushions are folded on top of each other, the device occupies minimal volume and can easily be inserted inside a protective cover (not shown).

[0019] For this purpose, the flexible hinge (2) has a width at least equal to the height of a one-piece cushion (1', 1").

[0020] The one-piece cushions (1', 1") are substantially rectangular in shape and have the same dimensions in height, length and width, but the free edges of each of the two end one-piece cushions (1') are rounded.

[0021] One-piece cushions (1', 1") consist of a waterproof cover filled with a soft, hypoallergenic, shock-absorbing material, such as a foam block, with sufficient resilience to return to its original shape after a person has lain on the mattress formed by combining the one-piece cushions. High-resilience (HR) polyurethane foam or closed-cell foam can be used, for example.

[0022] Recesses (not shown) have been formed in the foam blocks to allow the insertion of stimulation and relaxation devices such as vibrating or magnetic pads, or heating elements, which will then provide the desired treatments. Since the vibrating or magnetic pads and heating elements are positioned inside the single-piece cushions, they are not visible in the figure.

[0023] To allow for the maintenance of the covers and / or the inserted stimulation and relaxation devices, the one-piece cushions each have an opening (not shown) on the edge of one of their outer edges which can advantageously be opened or closed, for example by means of a zipper.

[0024] The dimensions are such that they allow the foam blocks to be inserted fully inside the covers without forcing them, but without leaving any play once the cover is closed.

[0025] The stimulation and relaxation devices are inserted into the recesses provided in the foam so as not to be flush with the surface of the mattress in contact with the user, and therefore not to form any roughness which could make the use of the device uncomfortable when a person is lying on the mattress.

[0026] On at least one of the lateral edges of at least one outer monobloc cushion (1') and at least one central monobloc cushion (1") are provided openings (3) for the passage of cables (4) for the connection of vibrating or magnetic pads, and / or heating elements to a low voltage battery (not shown) and a remote control device, for example at least one remote control (5) which will allow the stimulation or heating functions to be activated or deactivated and modulated on a case-by-case basis in temperature, speed, intensity or frequency, according to the treatment program chosen.

[0027] In the illustrated implementation example [ Fig.2 ], the openings (3) are arranged on only one of the lateral edges of the monobloc cushions (1' and 1").

[0028] This remote control can be of the wireless or wired type, in which case the opening (3) allows the passage of the remote control link cable (5).

[0029] The remote control (5) performs several functions.

[0030] Firstly, it controls the activation and deactivation of the stimulation and relaxation features associated with the mattress (1). The activation and deactivation of the vibrating or magnetic pads, on the one hand, and the heating elements, on the other, can be controlled separately. Each vibrating or magnetic pad, and each heating element, can also be controlled individually and independently of other vibrating or magnetic pads and / or heating elements. The functions performed by the vibrating or magnetic pads and the heating elements can be used independently or in combination.

[0031] Secondly, the remote control (5) allows you to choose and adjust the intensity of the vibrations of the vibrating or magnetic pads on the one hand, and the radiation from the heating elements on the other. Here too, it is possible to separate the functions and individualize the settings.

[0032] Thirdly, the remote control (5) can be programmed to perform cycles of stimulation and relaxation.

[0033] The basic device thus designed can be completed by associating various accessories with the mattress (1).

[0034] [ Fig.3 ] shows a variant of use of the device according to the invention in which two side armrests (6) have been attached to the base mattress (1) formed by the association of the one-piece cushions (1', 1").

[0035] The armrests (6) are preferably positioned in the central part and on the sides of the device, to allow adequate positioning in relation to the arm of a user who would be lying on the mattress.

[0036] In the example shown [ Fig.3 ], the armrests (6) are arranged straddling the edge of an outer one-piece cushion (1') and a central cushion (1"), but there is nothing preventing them from being positioned elsewhere.

[0037] The armrests (6) can be attached to the one-piece cushions (1', 1") using quick-release fastening systems, such as hook and loop fasteners, also known as Velcro (trademarked). However, there is no restriction on using the system without attaching the armrests to the one-piece cushions.

[0038] [ Fig.4 ] shows another variant of the embodiment in which a self-contained cushion (7) comprising heating elements (7') which are inserted inside a block of foam independent of the single-piece cushions (1', 1") is superimposed on one of the two central monobloc cushions (1') of the mattress, at a level which corresponds substantially to the back of a user lying on the mattress (1).

[0039] In the illustrated example, there are two heating elements (7') of circular shape, but they could very well have another shape, and be in a different number.

[0040] According to the embodiment shown, the heating elements are arranged in a self-contained cushion, separate from the main mattress, which allows one heating block to be used with several basic mattresses, when it is necessary to treat several people at the same time in a differentiated manner, thus reducing the cost, or to have one or more additional heating elements on a mattress already equipped.

[0041] [ Fig.5 ] shows another variant of an embodiment in which an accessory consisting of a cover filled with a foam material which is softer than that used for the cushions constituting the mattress and which will function as an ergonomic headrest (8) is associated with the free end part of one of the monobloc end cushions (1') of the mattress (1).

[0042] The headrest (8) can be attached to, or detached from, the mattress (1) also by means of quick-release hook and loop type attachment / detachment means.

[0043] According to one possible embodiment, the thickness of the mattress (1) can be reduced so that it can be rolled up instead of folded.

[0044] The preceding description shows that the invention fulfills the intended objectives.

[0045] The presence of the flexible hinges (2) allows the configuration of the device to be modulated according to the invention, which can therefore be used in a fully unfolded form to form a mattress or by folding two of the monobloc elements to form a seat and a backrest or by folding the monobloc cushions completely on top of each other for transport.

[0046] The device allows the use of vibrating or magnetic pavers and heating elements, either individually, in combination, or alternately.

[0047] The mattress's resilience properties allow the device to adapt to each user's morphology and to best conform to the contours of the body parts to be treated. List of digital landmarks

[0048] 1: Mattress 1': One-piece end cushion 1": One-piece center cushion 2: Flexible hinge 3: Openings 4: Cables 5: Remote control 6: Armrest 7: Independent cushion 7': Heating element 8: Ergonomic headrest

Claims

1. Modular device for body stimulation and relaxation, characterized in that It consists of a base mattress (1) made up of two one-piece end cushions (1'), and at least one one-piece central cushion (1"), which are connected together by a flexible hinge (2) and arranged to receive means of stimulation and relaxation, such as vibrating and / or magnetic pads and heating elements.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible hinge (2) has a width at least equal to the height of a one-piece cushion (1', 1").

3. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the one-piece cushions (1', 1") are substantially rectangular in shape and have the same dimensions in height, length and width, the free edges of each of the two end one-piece cushions (1') being rounded.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatThe one-piece cushions (1', 1") consist of a waterproof cover filled with a block of foam made from a soft, hypoallergenic shock-absorbing material with sufficient resilience properties to regain its original shape after a person has lain on the mattress (1).

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one-piece cushions (1', 1") each have on the edge of one of their outer edges an opening which can advantageously be opened or closed by means of a zipper.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that The dimensions of the cover are defined in such a way that they allow the foam blocks to be inserted fully inside the covers without forcing them, but without leaving any play once the cover is closed.

7. Device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in thatReservations are formed in the foam blocks to allow the insertion of stimulation and relaxation devices.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that The stimulation and relaxation devices are inserted into the recesses provided in the foam so as not to protrude from the surface of the mattress in contact with the user.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on at least one of the lateral edges of at least one outer monobloc cushion (1') and at least one central monobloc cushion (1") are provided openings (3) for the passage of cables (4).

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that It can be complemented by associating various accessories with the mattress (1), such as armrests (6), a self-contained heating pad (7) or a headrest (8).

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