THERAPEUTIC BOLSTER AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME

Abstract

A therapeutic bolster for applying a constant pressure or a rolling massage to a body portion which simulates the touch of a human thumb or palm. The bolster includes a rigid, non-flexible core having a curved outer surface, and a foam cover substantially surrounding the core. The covering is bonded to the core such that an inward surface of the covering remains in a continuous contact with curved outer surface of the core. A method of making the bolster is also disclosed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to bolsters, and more particularly, relating to a therapeutic bolster of a construction that simulates the touch of a human palm or thumb to provide therapeutic massage or pressure to areas of the human body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many people suffer from various injuries or ailments, such as soft tissue injuries, deep tissue injuries and joint injuries, among others, which can result in mild discomfort to deliberating pain. Recovery from these injuries or ailments or relief from pain from these injuries or ailments may be had through proper pressure point and massage technique. Due to the busy life of most people and the high cost receiving professional treatment these injuries or ailments are left untreated and the person goes through life coping with the pain.

Accordingly, there is a need for an alternative means for treating and relieving the pain and discomfort associated with many types of injuries and ailments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiments of the present invention addresses this need by providing an inexpensive, portable and easy to use therapeutic bolster of an improved construction and method of making the same, which simulates the touch of a human thumb or palm.

To achieve these and other advantages, in general, in one aspect, therapeutic bolster is provided. The bolster includes a rigid, non-flexible core having a curved outer surface, and a covering of a resilient material substantially surrounding the core such that the covering remains in a continuous contact with the outer surface of the core when non-axially compressive pressure is applied to the bolster.

In general, in another aspect, a therapeutic bolster is provided. The bolster includes a rigid non-flexible core having a curved outer surface; a covering of a resilient material substantially surrounding the core such that the covering remains in a continuous contact with the outer surface of the core when a non-axially compressive pressure is applied to the bolster. The covering forming a curved exterior contact surface, and the resilient material is of a material having hardness of about 15 A to about 35 A Durometer.

In general, in another aspect, the covering is of a sheet material having an inward surface opposite of the exterior contact surface of a length substantially equal to the circumference of said outer surface.

In general, in another aspect, the sheet material has a pair of opposed edges normal to the length thereof that are joined together in a mitered lap-joint forming said covering.

In general, in another aspect, each of the pair of opposed edges are at opposing 45 degree angles.

In general, in another aspect, covering has continuous thickness from about 5.0 millimeters to about 8.0 millimeters.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the therapeutic bolster constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the therapeutic bolster;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of the therapeutic bolster; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembly of the therapeutic bolster.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally designates the therapeutic bolster of the present invention. The bolster 10, in accordance with the present invention, is designed and constructed to closely simulate the touch of a human thumb or palm of a human hand to provide therapeutic pressure to a user. The unique structure of the bolster and the method of making the bolster provides the simulated touch.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the bolster 10 is cylindrically shaped including a substantially hard, rigid, non-flexible core 12 having a curved outer surface 14 covered by a single layer cushion cover 16 that provides a curved exterior contact surface 18. The core 12 may be a hollow pipe core (as shown) or may be a solid core. The core 12 may be made of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or the like. I discovered a core 12 having a diameter between about 9.0 centimeters (3.5 inches) to about 14 centimeters (5.5 inches) fits the proportions of most users and provides the best therapeutic properties to the user.

The cover 16 is of foam material, such as closed cell foam materials, foamed plastic materials, foamed rubber materials, or combinations thereof. I discovered, to provide the simulated touch, the cover is preferably of a foam material having a shore hardness of about 15 A to about 35 A Durometer. Most preferably, the cover 16 is of a closed cell foamed thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or partially closed cell foamed polyvinyl chloride (PVC) having a shore hardness of about 15 A to about 35 A Durometer. I discovered, the closest simulated touch is found when the cover 16 has a thickness from about 5.0 millimeters (0.20 inches) to about 8.0 millimeters (0.31 inches) and is of a closed cell foamed TPE or a partially closed cell foamed PVC with a shore hardness of about 15 A to about 35 A Durometer.

The cover 16 comprises a single sheet 20 that is tightly wrapped around the core 12 with the entire inward facing surface 22 in continuous contact with the outer surface 14 of the core. The cover 16 is adhesively bonded to the core 12 such that the entire inward facing surface 22 remains in continuous contact with the outer surface 14 of the core, such as for example, during non-axially compressive loading to the bolster. Ends 24 and 26 of the cover 12 are joined together in a mitered lap-joint. Preferably, each end 24 and 26 are cut or otherwise formed to have opposing 45 degree angles ensuring a tight and continuous seam. Ends 24 and 26 are adhesively bonded together.

With reference to FIG. 4, the bolster is constructed by cutting the sheet 20 of the cover 16 to have a width about equal to the length of the core 12, and a length L such that surface 22 is of a length equal to the circumference of the outer surface 14 of the core. Ends 24 and 26 are parallel to each other and normal to the length L of the sheet 20. Ends 24 and 26 are cut or otherwise formed to have opposing 45 degree angles. A first adhesive, such as a non-toxic contact cement, is lightly coated on both ends 24 and 26 and allowed to dry to tact. The first adhesive is an adhesive that remains flexible once cured. A light coating of a second adhesive is applied to the entire surface 22 of the sheet 20. The second adhesive may be a non-toxic metal adhesive. The second adhesive may be a low viscosity pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive such as the adhesive sold under the product name GIA1045 by Glue Machine Corporation of Baltimore Md. The second adhesive may be applied to the surface 22 using a nip roller application machine. The core 12 is placed lengthwise across the width of the sheet 20 with the ends 28 and 30 registered with the side edges 32 and 34 of the sheet. The sheet 20 is then tightly wrapped around the core 12 compressing the sheet inwardly against the core to securely bond the surface 22 with the outer surface 14. Ends 24 and 26 are overlapped and pressure is applied along the seam to join them together by the first adhesive.

In use or application, a user may position the therapeutic bolster 10 on a ground surface or other supporting surface, and either lay across or otherwise press a body portion against the curved exterior contact surface 18 to apply a constant pressure or a rolling massage to the body portion simulating contact with a person's hand or thumb.

A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A bolster comprising:

a rigid, non-flexible core having a curved outer surface; and

a covering of a resilient material substantially surrounding said core such that said covering remains in a continuous contact with said outer surface of said core when non-axially compressive pressure is applied to the bolster.

2. The bolster of claim 1, wherein said covering forms a curved exterior contact surface.

3. The bolster of claim 1, wherein said resilient material is of a closed-cell foam material.

4. The bolster of claim 1, wherein said covering has continuous thickness from about 5.0 millimeters to about 8.0 millimeters.

5. The bolster of claim 1, wherein said resilient material is of a material having shore hardness of about 15 A to about 35 A durometer.

6. The bolster of claim 1, wherein said core has an outer diameter of about 9.0 centimeters to about 14.0 centimeters.

7. The bolster of claim 1, wherein said covering is of a sheet material having an inward surface opposite of said exterior contact surface of a length substantially equal to the circumference of said outer surface.

8. The bolster of claim 7, wherein said sheet material has a pair of opposed edges normal to said length thereof that are joined together in a mitered lap-joint forming said covering.

9. The bolster of claim 8, wherein each of said pair of opposed edges are at opposing 45 degree angles.

10. The bolster of claim 1, wherein said covering is adhesively attached to said curved outer surface.

11. A bolster comprising:

a rigid non-flexible core having a curved outer surface;

a covering of a resilient material substantially surrounding said core such that said covering remains in a continuous contact with said outer surface of said core when a non-axially compressive pressure is applied to the bolster;

said covering forming a curved exterior contact surface; and

said resilient material is of a material having hardness of about 15 A to about 35 A durometer.

12. The bolster of claim 11, wherein said resilient material is of a closed-cell foam material.

13. The bolster of claim 11, wherein said covering has continuous thickness from about 5.0 millimeters to about 8.0 millimeters; and said core has an outer diameter of about 9.0 centimeters to about 14.0 centimeters.

14. The bolster of claim 11, wherein said covering is of a sheet material wrapped about said core and having an inward surface opposite of said exterior contact surface of a length substantially equal to the circumference of said outer surface.

15. The bolster of claim 14, wherein said sheet material has a pair of opposed edges normal to said length thereof that are joined together in a mitered lap-joint.

16. The bolster of claim 15, wherein each of said pair of opposed edges are at opposing 45 degree angles.

17. A bolster comprising:

a rigid non-flexible core having a curved outer surface and a diameter of about 9.0 centimeters to about 14.0 centimeters;

a covering of a resilient material substantially surrounding said core such that said covering remains in a continuous contact with said outer surface of said core when a non-axially compressive pressure is applied to the bolster;

wherein said covering forms a curved exterior contact surface;

wherein said resilient material is of a material having shore hardness of about 15 A to about 35 A durometer;

wherein said covering has continuous thickness from about 5.0 millimeters to about 8.0 millimeters;

wherein said covering is of a material selected from the group consisting of closed cell foamed thermoplastic elastomer and partially closed cell foamed polyvinyl chloride;

wherein said covering is of a single sheet material wrapped about said core and having an inward surface opposite of said exterior contact surface of a length substantially equal to the circumference of said outer surface, and a pair of opposed edges normal to said length thereof that are joined together in a mitered lap-joint forming; and

each of said pair of opposed edges are at opposing 45 degree angles.

18. The bolster of claim 17, wherein said sheet material is adhesively attached to said core using a first adhesive.

19. The bolster of claim 18, wherein said pair of opposed ends are adhesively joined using a second adhesive different from said first adhesive.