Blood circulation stimulating apparatus

Claim 2

A blood circulation stimulation apparatus comprising: an air tight suit-like bag conformed to fit the human body; compressed air supply means for supplying compressed air from a source at a predetermined pressure; a conduit connecting said compressed air supply means to said bag for supplying compressed air to said bag; control means for regulating the pressure buildup and the exhaust of the compressed air from the apparatus; a one-way exhaust valve located in said compressed air supply means and coupled to said control means for releasing said compressed air from said supply means in response to said control means; and valve means located in said conduit for controlling the directional flow of compressed air into and out of said air bag.

Claim 3

An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises: a valve casing having a plurality of exhaust holes open to the atmosphere in the side of the casing opposite the inlet opening from the compressed air supply means; a panel-like valve member within said casing axially moveable away from the inlet opening in response to air flowing into said air bag for covering said exhaust holes and away from said exhaust holes in response to air flowing out of said air bag for opening said exhaust holes to the atmosphere; and a switch valve operatively positioned within said panellike valve member and adapted to open only in the direction to allow compressed air to flow into said air bag, whereby lower air pressure in said air bag than in said compressed air supply means causes air to flow from said supply means toward said air bag through said valve casing, forces said panel-like member against said exhaust holes, and forces said switch valve to open, thus allowing compressed air to enter said air bag while maintaining said exhaust holes closed, and whereby lower air pressure in said compressed air supply means caused by the opening of said one-way exhaust valve causes air to flow from said air bag thus forcing said switch valve to close, forcing the panel-like member away from said exhaust holes, and permitting the compressed air within the air bag to exhaust into the atmosphere.