US2038275A - Pad for applying heat to portion of a person's head - Google Patents

Description

A ril 21, 1936, D. K. F QGG 2,038,275

PAD FOR APPLYING HEAT TO PORTION OF A PERSONS HEAD Filed March 21, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR D. K. FOGG April 21, 1936.

PAD FOR APPLYING HEAT TO PORTION OF A PERSONS HEAD Filed March 21, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I mvmo Dalgp ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 21, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PAD FOR APPLYING'HEAT T0 PORTION OF A PERSONS HEAD Delia K. Fogg, Tacoma, Wash. Application March 21, 1935, Serial No. 12,280 a cjfims. (01. 219-46) My present invention relates to the art of electrically heated, flexible pads and more specifimation located in those parts or portions of the face and head lying in the horizontal plane embracing the eyes and nose. The usual form-of pad can be used in the same manner as a hot,

water bottle. In other words a patient can lie on the pad or hold the same in position. Other pads which have been examined are adapted to apply heat to one localized area. Such devices are not satisfactory for the treatment of certain infections, however, as it has been found that head congestion and inflammation tends to affect a large area, and further that treatment must be maintained for relatively long periods, and further it is desirable to vary the intensity of the applied heat for difierent portions of the head.

It is believed that the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more fully described in-the accompanying specification overcomes the forehead, nose, cheeks and head of any wearer,

extending around the back of the head and fas tening at one side, so that when it is adjusted and fastened in place, the wearer may receive the full benefit of the heat furnished thereby whether he be reclining, lying prone, or sitting upright, the mask remaining in position without further effort or attention from the wearer.

A further object is to provide a heating mask pad for therapeutic and other purposes with apertures, or eyeholes, therein whereby the wearer may have full use of the eyes while at the same time receiving full benefit of the heat provided.

by such mask.

Other and more specific objects will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure *1 illustrates, in perspective view, the general appearance of my device as applied to a patients head.

' Figure 2 illustrates in plan view my complete unit.

Figure 3 illustrates in schematic diagram arrangement, the electrical circuit, switching and control means therefor.

Figure 4 is a plan view of my heating pad with v the covering on one side of the pad removed to disclose the exact placement of the wires forming the various circuits and the controlling thermostats therefor.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan View showing the reinforcement applied over the nose area so as to define and position the nasal ridge.

Figures 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views taken along the lines 6-6 and l--l' respectively of Figure 4.

Referring to. the drawings, throughout which like reference characters indicate like parts, 8 designates the backing or foundation of my mask. This I normallyprefer to make of material such as duck or canvas so that it will have considerable resistance to injury and will have sufiicient body to hold the device in the desired general shape. Betweenthe two layers of body 8 I provide a plurality of electric resistant wires which I preferto divide into 3 circuits as ill, l2 and I l. The wire forming these circuits is of that general type now in common use in electric heating pads, it is a flexible resistance wire covered with a. resisting insulation such as asbestos.

After the heating wires are encased in the canvas covering case I prefer to cover this again with a softer material indicated in the sectional views at [6. This may be material such as outing or Canton flannel or probably, more prefers ably, a soft woolen material.

Disposed between the outer layer 8 and the outer layer of covering material i6 I provide in that area which will normally cover the nose, a reinforcing material as l8. At present the most suitable material for this reinforcing is a non-ferrous wire screen which should be of a character that it will have considerable initial strength, which will not be affected-by moderate temperatures, and which can be distorted or molded to iit quite closely the contour of the nose of the individual wearing the device. This reinforcement has been found to be very desirable if tight engagement between the mask and the wearers flesh in immediate proximity of the nose is desired. Normally the tension of the securing means tends to flatten out the mask at this point and raise the same ot! the flesh adjacent the nose. With this screen reinforcement of sumcient strength, however, this diiilcuity is overcome and the usefulness of the mask is greatly enhanced.

The mask may be held in the desired position by any suitable means. I have found however that hook members as 28 secured to the mask by adjustable straps 2| form a very convenient and readily adjustable securing means when engaged in rings or loops 22 at the opposite ends of the mask, after the showing particularly of Figure l.

The electrical circuit arrangement I have provided gives a wide range of adjustability and adaptability to the particular problem of the individual user of this device. First of all the usual two-conductor cable 24 is provided so as to connect with any suitable source of electric energy. This I prefer to lead through a rheostat 28 so that the total current supplied to the mask may be changed from full intensity down by steps to zero intensity. After the current leaves the rheostat 28 I provide a selective switching means 28 which may be provided to take care of such switching arrangements as are necessary. From switch 28 a multi-conductor cable 38 leads I to the mask proper.

One desirable circuit arrangement is illustrat- 7 ed in Figures 3 and 4. Here one circuit I8 is provided to take care of the area at the back of the head extending forward to approximately each ear. Circuits l2 and are then provided to take care respectively of the left hand and the right hand sinus areas. It will be noted, particularly in Figure 4, that the heating elements are brought down well below the lower level of the nose so as to provide effective treatment of that area, as indicated at 29.

Each circuit, as l8, l2 and II, ls provided with an adjustable coupling unit as II, 32 and 33. These units are independently adjustable as by means of the slotted screw 35. They can thus be set so that the temperature in any one circuit cannot rise above a certain predetermined value. There are many devices that might be used in this position, I prefer as at present advised, to use thermostatic units which open-the circuit at this point when the temperature rises to a certain point and, then when it falls down to normal, to reconnect the circuit.

Switch 28 provides for seven circuit arrangements. when the switch arm 38 is moved in a counter clock-wise direction it energizes one only at a time, circuits ll, l2 and 18. When it progrosses suiiiciently far to engage the pair of contact points 40, circuits l8 and i2 are energized together, at points 42 circuits ill and H are energized together. at point 48 circuits l2 and I4 are energized together and, when the arm is in contact with the three contacts at I all three circuits are energised at the same time.

Method of operation In using my mask it is first desirable to let thermostats ll, 32 and 38 to the maximum temperature allowable for the treatment of the allment in question. This adjustment is effected by turning the adjustment screw for each of the thermostats. These can be reached through opening 58 provided in the fabric covering of my device. The mask is then adjusted to the wearers head by means of the adjustment provided in tapes 2i and the device is secured after the showing of Figure 1. Switch 28 should then be set to pass the current to the desired heating area. This control, however, can be made after the mask is in place and at any time after commencing to use the same. Rheostat 26 should then be adjusted for any variation in temperature the patient may desire from zero to the full capacity for" which the thermostats 3i, 22

and 33 have been previously adjusted. In the treatment of certain ailments it may be desirable to gradually bring the heat up to a certain point and then to decrease the same after a certain period of treatment. Thus full range of control is provided in my mask arrangement. If. however, the mask is worn by an invalid or if the wearer should fall asleep with the mask in place no excessive or dangerous temperatures can build up owing to the protective control pro- ,vided by the thermostatic members.

Eye openings 52 are provided so the wearer can use my pad for long periods andstlll be able to read or work without undue hindrance except for the limitations imposed by the electrical conductor 24. I2 and I4, as l5 and II, respectively, encircle openings 52 to insure treatment of thearea immediately adjacent the eye without interfering with the vision or subjecting the eye itself to undesirable heat. I

The foregoing description and the accompanying drawings are believed to clearly disclose a preferred embodiment of my invention but it will be understood that thisdisclosure is merely illustrative and that such changes in the invention may be made. as are fairly within the scope and spirit of the following claims:

I claim:

1. An electric heating mask for therapeutic purposes consisting of a flexible band adapted to be adjusted and secured to the head of a patient, said band containing a plurality of electric cir-- cuits, thermostatic elements connected in series with each of said circuits, selective switching means controlling the energizing of said circuits. means for varying the intensity of the'current in said circuits, and a portion intermediate said band including a reinforcement of non-ferrous wire screen built into said mask permitting the molding of said mask to conform to the particular outline of the wearer's nose.

2. A canvas electric heating mask having spaced eye-openings and an intermediate portion conforming to the contour of the nose, said intermediate portion having a reinforcement of non-ferrous wire screen, electric heating units mounted in the mask and control means therefor, and adjustable fastening means at opposite ends of the mask for fastening the latter in position.

DELIA K. FOGG.

A special loop of circuits

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