GB2479385A

GB2479385A - An acupressure ring for pressing two points

Info

Publication number: GB2479385A
Application number: GB1005830A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Carter Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-04-08
Filing date: 2010-04-08
Publication date: 2011-10-12
Also published as: GB201005830D0

Abstract

An acupressure ring has two distinct "acu-activators" or projections that apply pressure to two different acupressure points (HT9 and S12) on the little finger. The ring may have a gap or break in it. This invention uses the acupressure treatment with the intention of helping the heart's natural biorhythm and helping improve breathing (sinus) during the daytime and problem snoring during sleep.

Description

1. DUAL ACTION ACUPRESSURE PRODUCT (An Alternative Treatment "Lifestyle" Ring) 1. This invention (ring) is unique by way of its dual action on two different acupressure points located on the small (pinky) finger of the hand.

These points exist on both the left and right hand.

2. The location of these two separate acu pressure points on the little finger is identified by their Chinese names Shao Chong (HT9) and Qiangu (S12).

See Acupressure Point drawings (APD) in section 6.

3. This invention generates multiple benefits owing to its dual action: a) Shao Chong (HT9) -it is widely accepted that by applying pressure to this point there are benefits the wearer during sleep by means of regulating his/her heart beat. It is believed that it calms and normalises the heart's rhythm during sleep and can stop heart palpitations. This in turn ensures that the body's sleep process is undisturbed, allowing for normal mind /body activity to function and the sleep cycle(s) to take place undisturbed.

b) Qiangu (S19) -it is widely believed that by applying pressure to this point it improves breathing either during sleep or in daytime use.* The acupressure works on the nose (sinus), throat and mouth airways. This process brings about an improvement in the breathing process during the day and reduces or stops snoring during sleep time.

* This invention can be used both at night time during sleep periods or daytime during rest and relaxation periods or short sleep breaks.

* During the daytime the effect will benefit those who suffer from a sinus/breathing problem due to restricted air passages.

* It is not recommended that this product be worn continuously as this will eliminate the positive effect of the acupressure treatment. It is recommended that there should be at least 5-6 hours between uses. It is preferable to opt for either daytime or night time treatment.

4. Modern day thinking now concludes that the use of meridian lines was a means by which the original Chinese practitioners of acupressure (some 3,000 years ago) explained how these points were connected and how they interacted.

5. Today's thinking is that these points act as "triggers" in different parts of the brain. Each acupressure point sends a message to the brain which then brings about a response to the stimulus.

6. This invention takes the form of a ring that has two specific "acu -activators" on the inner surface (see Section 5. Fig. 1) which stimulate not one but TWO acupressure points at the same time.

This is a totally unique design and function.

7. The Shao Chong point (HT9) is located on the inner side of the little finger (see APD #??) at a position equivalent to 9 o'clock on a timepiece.

8. The Qiangu point (S12) is located on the outer edge of the little finger (see APD #?), at a position equivalent to 3 o'clock on a timepiece.

9. The ring also has an opening located at the top (see Section 5, Fig 1); this allows the user to fit the ring to their finger in order to apply the exact amount of pressure to bring about the appropriate stimulus. This also ensures that the blood flow is not constricted and prevents any problem with blood circulation, while at the same time allowing the "acu -activators" to effectively produce the desired treatment they were designed for.

10.This invention is totally unique; not even the Chinese or other current inventions have this dual function built into their design.

They are reliant on ONE process only, namely to reduce or stop snoring. Refer to UK Patent 2405345 and the Australian Patent 767789. Other design references are US 57921 75, US 4122852 and DT 2424219 11. It is also well documented (see Section 3, References et al) that an acupressure point is a singular in nature; therefore it requires only a single stimulator per acupressure point to bring about the desired response.

12. This invention can be made from a variety of substances for instance: metal, plastic, wood, carbon fibre or any material that will allow the ring to be a) placed on the fingerb) adjusted to allow the correct pressure to be achievedc) not react in a negative manner with the skin and d) is easily removed.

13.The recommended materials are solid gold, solid silver, flexible plastic, rubber and carbon fibre, 1 4.The acu -activators (internal protrusions), can also be made from a variety of different materials (see point 12). It is advisable that the material used is the same as the main ring construction, or of a material that does not change shape when pressure is applied during wearing and does not react with the skin.

1 5.The shape of the acu-activators should be of a design that allows firm contact with the acupressure point but does not cause damage or injury to the skin or finger as well as being comfortable when wearing the ring.

1 6.To this end it is recommended that the shape of the acu-activators should be round, oval, conical, circular, mushroom, domed, tubular or any shape that meets the guidelines in point above.

1 7.The ring size used should enable the wearer to fit, adjust and remove the ring without too much difficulty. The correct size should be found using the relevant country ring size chart that corresponds to the intended user finger size.

1 8.The technical specifications charts below show the minimum and maximum size plus the recommended optimum for each aspect of the acupressure ring (see also Section 4 Technical

Specification Drawing).

1 9.The Technical Specification Drawing clearly shows the layout of the acu-activators in relation to the ring gap (which must always be positioned at the top, upward facing on the finger.

Technical Specifications Charts:

Ring Design Minimum Maximum Optimum ___________ Dimension Dimension Dimension Ring 10mm 28mm 16-21 mm Diameter ______________ ______________ ______________ Gap in Ring 1 mm 10mm 6-8mm Band Width 1 mm 8mm 4-5mm Depth 0.5mm 1.6mm 0.8-0.95mm Shao Chong Minimum Maximum Optimum Acu -Dimension Dimension Dimension Activator ______________ ______________ ______________ Length 1mm 4mm 4mm Depth 1mm 5mm 1.5mm Width 1mm 8mm 4-5mm Qiangu Minimum Maximum Optimum Acu -Dimension Dimension Dimension Activator _______________ _______________ _______________ Length 4mm 16mm 12-13mm Depth 1 mm 6mm 2mm Width 1mm 8mm 4-5mm 20. The invention is further illustrated by a set of line drawings See Section 4 Fig. 1 -8 Fig. 1 shows the cross section of the ring with the two acu-activators in their correct positions and the adjustment/circulation gap.

Fig 2. shows the cross section of the ring, ref. X-X in Fig 1.

Fig. 3. shows view from top of ring looking down on the adjustment / circulation gap; this view obscures the two acu-activators.

Fig. 4. shows the cross section Y-Y as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5. shows a view from the left side at a 45 degree angle to the ring. This gives a side view of the Qiangu acu-activator and a full view of the Shao Chong acu-activator. The gap is also seen.

Fig. 6. shows a view from the right side at a 45 degree angle to the ring. This gives a side view of the Qiangu acu-activator and a full view of the Shao Chong acu-activafor. The gap is also seen.

Fig. 7. Shows a top down view again at 45 degrees. This gives a full view of the Shao Chong acu-activafor and again the gap is visible.

Fig. 8. Is a reverse view of Fig. 7.

2]. Acupressure Point Drawing (APD) The Acu pressure points S12 and H19 are illustrated by way of a line drawing.

The left side diagram (hand facing down) shows the Small Intestine meridian line and the location of the Qiangu acupressure point location on that line and its position on the little (pinky) finger.

The right side diagram (hand facing up) shows the Heart meridian line and the location of the Shao Chong acupressure point location on that line and its position on the little (pinky) finger.