Therapeutic treatment using magnetic jewelry
A magnetic key chain which provides for the ability to attach itself to a magnetic material, such as the inner surface of a front door of a home or a refrigerator door. The magnetic key chain also allows for therapeutic treatment of an anatomical site in a living body. In another embodiment, magnetic jewelry is adapted for both ornamental and therapeutic use.
This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 60/292140, filed May 18, 2001, entitled MAGNETIC KEY CHAIN, naming as inventors Jonathan J. Kaufman and Gocha Chkadua.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe invention pertains to apparatus for improving the utility of key chains.
A variety of key chains have been commonly utilized. These have included the standard key ring attached to a “token”, such as a plastic or metal piece in some shape. Often the piece is decorated with a particular icon, such as a flag or other symbol. In other cases, the piece may include a hook, for attaching, for example, to a belt loop. While decorative and somewhat functional, key chains have not been heretofore designed for maximum utility.
BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE INVENTIONIt is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a key chain apparatus that is more useful than presently available.
Another object is to meet the above object, such that key chains can be more widely utilized.
A further object is to provide magnetic jewelry.
Another object is to provide magnetic therapy through use of the key chain and jewelry.
Briefly stated, the invention in its presently preferred form achieves the foregoing objects by construction of a magnetic key chain. The magnetic key chain is comprised of a rubber tube two inches in length. The outside diameter of the rubber tube is 0.250 inch, and the inside diameter is 0.050 inch. Inserted into one end of the rubber tube is a neodymium cylindrical magnet having a diameter of 0.250 inch and a length of 0.250 inch, in such a way so that the end of the magnet is flush with the end of the tube. In the presently preferred embodiment the diameter of the magnet is large enough to stretch the tube sufficiently so that the magnet is held firmly inside the tube, without the need for any glue or adhesive. At the other end of the tube, a metal plug or hook is inserted. The metal plug is also cylindrical; about half of it is inside the tube (this part has a diameter about the same as the magnet's), and about half of it projects out from the tube (this part has a slightly larger diameter, about equal to the external diameter of the tube when it is stretched by the insertion of the metal plug. On the half that projects out from the tube there is a hole, through which is attached a metal ring. The metal ring is used for attaching keys. As described, the presently preferred embodiment is ideal for keeping one's keys in a pocket or a pocketbook or backpack or other bag. It is also ideal for attaching to the inside surface of the front door of a home, or any other metal surface that is able to be attracted by magnets (i.e., a “magnetic” material). The key chain can even be “thrown” at a door, and it will “stick.” It should be appreciated that in many cities, local fire codes require doors to be covered with steel, an ideal magnetic surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe invention will be described in detail for a presently preferred embodiment, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The invention will be described in detail for a presently preferred embodiment, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The invention is shown in FIGS. 1 through
In
A number of variations, as noted, can be understood to be in the scope of the present invention. These include (i) multiple colors of tubing, including on the same magnetic key ring; (ii) small colored plastic rings for finishing purposes, for example between the collar of the plastic hook and the flexible tube; (iii) additional metal key ring (to which the keys are actually attached) to attach to a metal ring that is itself attached to the plastic or metal hook; (iv) a special hook which is attached to the metal ring of the magnetic key chain, that is easily detachable to allow the keys to be removed; (v) a variety of different magnets, not necessarily neodymium, that can be used, as long as they have sufficient “strength,” and including a variety of coatings, such as with nickel plating; (vi) extra magnets placed inside the flexible tube at various locations, mainly for purposes of providing for magnetic therapy on the body; (vi) magnets which are “poled” or magnetized not only along its cylindrical axis, but also so that the “North” and “South” poles are azimuthal; (vii) magnetic therapy associated with the magnet key chain for the purposes of reducing pain and inflammation, increasing blood flow, and other therapeutic benefits; and (viii) multiple lengths of tubing within the same magnetic key chain, having the same or different colors, and attached to each other through the use of either magnets or magnetic material placed inside the tubes.
It should also be appreciated that while a number of sizes have been given for presently preferred embodiments of the invention, any size useful in the context of a flexible tube containing at least one magnet at one end of the tube and a hook and metal ring at the other end of the tube should be considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Thus, tubes with smaller and larger diameters (both inner and outer), longer and wider magnets and hooks, and different shaped hooks can all be considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
It should also be understood that the present invention includes not only key chains but the use of the flexible tube with magnets as jewelry, i.e., an item of magnetic jewelry. In one such embodiment of the invention, and with reference to
In general, a wide range of therapeutic benefits may be realized by wearing the magnetic jewelry at a variety of locations on the body. Thus it should be understood that therapeutic treatment may be realized by the method comprising the step of placing the magnetic jewelry around an anatomical site, whereby to expose the anatomical site to a magnetic field associated with the magnet or magnets in the magnetic jewelry. It should be appreciated that the magnetic jewelry is placed around the site and remains there owing to the magnetic attraction between the magnet at one end of the tube and the magnetic material or another magnet at the other end.
In addition, an add-on feature of the invention includes magnetic darts. As shown in
Finally, it should be understood that any flexible tubing material may be used in the various embodiments of the invention, although the presently preferred material is latex rubber.
While several embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed hereinabove, it is to be understood that these embodiments are given by example only and not in a limiting sense. Those skilled in the art may make various modifications and additions to the preferred embodiments chosen to illustrate the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present contribution to the art. Accordingly, it is to be realized that the patent protection sought and to be afforded hereby shall be deemed to extend to the subject matter claimed and all equivalence thereof fairly within the scope of the invention.
It will be seen that the described invention meets all stated objectives as to providing a extremely useful key chain, with specific advantages that include but are not limited to the following:
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- (1) Ability to attach the key chain to any magnetic material, like a front door of a home, or a refrigerator;
- (2) Ability to wear very simple but decorative jewelry;
- (3) Ability to therapeutically treat various ailments and to provide generally health benefits to the individual using the magnetic key chain or wearing the magnetic jewelry.
Claims
1-10. (Cancelled)
11. A method of therapeutically treating an anatomical site in a living body, using an item of magnetic jewelry, said item of magnetic jewelry comprising a a flexible tube having a first end and a second end, a first magnet attached to said first end of said tube, and a magnetic material attached to said second end of said tube, said method comprising the step of placing said item of magnetic jewelry around said anatomical site, whereby to expose said anatomical site to a magnetic field associated with said first magnet in said item of magnetic jewelry.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said magnetic material comprises a second magnet.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein said anatomical site is a wrist.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein said anatomical site is an elbow.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein said anatomical site is a heart.
16. A magnetic dart, said magnetic dart comprising a first tube and a second tube, a magnet, and a length of fabric, wherein said magnet being attached to said first tube, said length of fabric being attached to said magnet and said first tube, and said second tube being a sleeve over said fabric adjacent to said first tube and magnet.
17. The magnetic dart according to claim 16, wherein said fabric is wool.
18. The magnetic dart according to claim 16, wherein said fabric is velvet.
19. The magnetic dart according to claim 16, wherein said fabric is cotton.
20. The magnetic dart according to claim 16, wherein said fabric is leather.
21. The method of claim 11 wherein said item of magnetic jewelry, further includes:
- a hook attached to said second end of said tube; and, a ring attached to said hook.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein at least a portion of said hook is disposed within said second end of said tube.
23. The method of claim 21 wherein said hook includes an aperture proximate a first end of said hook, and said ring extends through said aperture.
24. The method of claim 21 wherein said aperture is aligned with a corresponding aperture in said tube and said ring extends through said aperture in said tube.
25. The method of claim 21 wherein said hook has a first portion having a first diameter sized to be received within said second end of said tube and a second portion having a second diameter greater than said first diameter.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein said second diameter is about equal to an outer diameter of said second end of said tube following insertion of said hook into said second end of said tube.
27. The method of claim 11 wherein said flexible tube is rubber.
28. The method of claim 11 wherein said first magnet is inserted into said first end of said tube.
29. The method of claim 11 wherein a first end of said first magnet is disposed within said tube and a second end of said first magnet is flush with said first end of said tube.
30. The method of claim 11 wherein said first magnet is engaged in an interference fit with said first end of said tube.
31. The method of claim 11, wherein said item of magnetic jewelry further comprises a second tube and one of a second magnet and a second magnetic material coupled to said second tube and to said first magnet of said first tube.
32. The method of claim 11, wherein said first magnet is inserted into said first end of said tube and engaged in an interference fit with said first end of said tube, a first end of said first magnet disposed within said tube and a second end of said magnet flush with the first end of said tube.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 15, 2004
Publication Date: Mar 3, 2005
Inventors: Jonathan Kaufman (Brooklyn, NY), Gocha Chkadua (Hawthorne, CA)
Application Number: 10/966,929