Neck Treatment Strap With Hemispherical Projections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current neck treatment systems are not effective in providing targeted relief for sore necks resulting from age, arthritis, and accidents, such as whiplash, as they lack specificity and comfort in applying pressure to selected neck areas.

Innovation Solution

A neck treatment system comprising an elongated strap with handles and a hollow sleeve featuring laterally spaced, hemispherical projections that allow for adjustable application of pressure to the neck, which can be used with or without a sleeve, providing flexibility in design and material options like silicone for comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a strap is used for neck treatment, then the device is simple and easy to operate, but it cannot provide targeted pressure to specific neck areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidtargeting precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The strap is equipped with projections at specific locations that can be positioned against targeted neck areas. These projections concentrate the pulling force onto specific points (such as the spinous process or muscle insertion points) rather than distributing force across the entire neck, thereby achieving both ease of operation and precise targeting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The strap is divided into multiple segments or zones with projections at different locations along its length. This segmentation allows different portions of the strap to target different anatomical regions of the neck independently, enabling selective treatment of specific problem areas while maintaining simple operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If pressure is applied directly through the strap to the neck, then treatment is effective, but it causes discomfort and pain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoiddiscomfort and pain

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The projections on the strap have rounded, hemispherical, or curved surfaces instead of sharp edges. This spheroidality allows the projections to roll over and massage the neck tissues while applying pressure, distributing the force more evenly and reducing concentrated pain points while maintaining treatment efficacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The strap incorporates cushioning material or padded sections at the locations of the projections before they contact the neck. This pre-cushioning softens the interface between the strap and skin, reducing discomfort and pain while still allowing effective pressure to be transmitted to the underlying muscles and tissues for treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS20240065926A1Neck treatment system

Publication Date: 2024.02.29 LAYNE SCOTT

AI summary

A neck treatment system for a user comprises an elongated strap and having at least one handle at each end portion of the strap, with a hollow sleeve through which the strap extends without the handles being covered. There are two projections projecting from the outer surface of the sleeve for applying pressure at selected locations on the user's neck.