US4574787A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acupressure apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-08-13
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Granted: 1986-03-11
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Expires: 2002-08-13
Abstract
Abstract An acupressure apparatus for applying vibrational pressure evenly to a plurality of preselected points on a shaded portion of a living body such as upon the face thereof includes a housing and a flexible membrane secured to the housing to form an enclosed chamber between the housing and the flexible membrane for containing therein a liquid. A plurality of protrusions are carried on the flexible membrane and, when the housing is placed adjacent to the shaped portion of the living body, the plurality of protrusions contact preselected acupuncture points. The fluid is excited by vibrational energy such that this energy is transferred to the plurality of protrusions evenly so that the protrusions exert vibrational pressure on the preselected acupressure points. The fluid can be heated if desired.
Inventors
- 👤 H. Barry Jacobs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:43
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61H; A61H39/00; A61H39/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
An acupressure apparatus for applying vibrational pressure substantially evenly to a plurality of preselected points on a shaped portion of a living body comprising: a rigid housing; a flexible membrane fixedly secured to said housing so as to form an enclosed chamber between said housing and said flexible membrane for containing a liquid when disposed within said chamber; a plurality of protrusions carried by said flexible membrane for contacting said preselected points when in proximity thereto; and means for exciting said liquid with vibrational energy, the exciting of said liquid causing said plurality of protrusions to exert said vibrational pressure on said preselected points.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
An acupressure apparatus for applying vibrational pressure substantially evenly to a plurality of preselected points on a shaped portion of a living body comprising: a rigid housing; a flexible membrane fixedly secured to said housing so as to form an enclosed chamber between said housing and said flexible membrane for containing a liquid when disposed within said chamber; a plurality of protrusions carried by said flexible membrane for contacting said preselected points when in proximity thereto; and means for exciting said liquid with vibrational energy, the exciting of said liquid causing said plurality of protrusions to exert said vibrational pressure on said preselected points.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An acupressure apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising means for heating said liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
An acupressure apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said protrusions are blunt ended.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An acupressure apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said exciting means comprises a vibrator mounted to excite said liquid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An acupressure apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said chamber is contoured to conform generally to said shaped portion of said living body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
115 words
An acupressure mask for applying vibrational pressure substantially evenly to a plurality of preselected points on the face of the user comprising: a rigid mask plate contoured to form an open ended chamber to accept said face therein; a flexible membrane fixedly secured on said mask plate over said open end thereof so as to close said chamber; a liquid disposed within said chamber; a plurality of protrusions carried by said flexible membrane for contacting said preselected points when said mask plate is disposed over said face; and means for exciting said liquid with vibrational energy, the exciting of said liquid causing said plurality of protrusions to exert said vibrational pressure on said preselected points.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
115 words
An acupressure mask for applying vibrational pressure substantially evenly to a plurality of preselected points on the face of the user comprising: a rigid mask plate contoured to form an open ended chamber to accept said face therein; a flexible membrane fixedly secured on said mask plate over said open end thereof so as to close said chamber; a liquid disposed within said chamber; a plurality of protrusions carried by said flexible membrane for contacting said preselected points when said mask plate is disposed over said face; and means for exciting said liquid with vibrational energy, the exciting of said liquid causing said plurality of protrusions to exert said vibrational pressure on said preselected points.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
An acupressure mask in accordance with claim 6, further comprising means for facilitating respiration of the user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
An acupressure mask in accordance with claim 7, wherein said respiration facilitation means comprises an open ended tube disposed through said mask plate, said chamber and said flexible membrane, the end of said tube extending through said flexible membrane being disposed proximate to the mouth of said user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
An acupressure mask in accordance with claim 8, wherein said tube further comprises a flange disposed on said end thereof adjacent to the mouth of said user, said flange facilitating the engagement of said tube by said user.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
An acupressure mask in accordance with claim 6, further comprising means for heating said liquid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
An acupressure mask in accordance with claim 10, wherein said heating means comprises an electrical resistance heater having a heating element operably disposed to heat said liquid within said chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
An acupressure mask in accordance with claim 11, wherein said electrical resistance heater is thermostatically controlled.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
An acupressure mask in accordance with claim 6, wherein said plurality of protrusions are arranged in a selected pattern on said flexible membrane except in the areas of said flexible membrane which are disposed adjacent to the eyes and mouth of the user when said mask is disposed on the face of the user in a use position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
An acupressure mask in accordance with claim 6, wherein each of said plurality of protrusions is blunt ened.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
An acupressure mask in accordance with claim 14, wherein each of said plurality of protrusions is frustoconical in shape.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
An acupressure mask in accordance with claim 6, wherein said exciting means comprises a vibrator mounted to excite said liquid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
An acupressure mask in accordance with claim 16, wherein said vibrator is electrically powered.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
An acupressure mask in accordance with claim 6, further comprising a sealable fill port in communication with said open ended chamber for permitting the ingress and egress of said liquid relative to said open ended chamber.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
An acupressure mask in accordance with claim 6, wherein said mask plate is substantially rigid.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-03-10 | 1989-09-09 | 1990-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-10 | 1993-09-09 | 1994-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-10 | 1997-09-09 | 1998-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |