US3744483A

US3744483A - Physiotherapeutic mat

Info

Publication number: US3744483A
Application number: US00249576A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Picolin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-05-07
Filing date: 1972-05-02
Publication date: 1973-07-10
Anticipated expiration: 1990-07-10
Also published as: DE2122739A1

Abstract

A mat for the physiotherapeutic treatment of human legs and feet is a composite structure including two tiers or layers, i.e., an elongated base layer of an elastic material having an upper surface provided with lump-like projections and a plurality of cover elements superimposed upon the upper surface of said base layer and extending transversely across the base layer. Each of said cover elements has a sinuous profile as seen in a direction transversely to said base layer. Magnetic fastener means make it possible to secure the cover elements in various desired positions to the base layer.

Description

1 PHYSIOTHERAPEUTIC MAT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The physiotherapeutic treatment of human feet and legs calls frequently for exercising mats made of rubber, or a like elastic material whose upper surface is undulated. Such mats have an elongated shape and are intended to form walking surfaces. The undulations of the surface of such mats when walked upon result in an exercise or massage beneficial to muscles of the feet and to the muscles of the portions of legs both below and above the knee as well as to all the joints involved in such kind of exercise. The use of exercising mats is indicated for both preventive and curative medical purposes. The undulations required for different persons, and more particularly the spacing between contiguous undulations required for different persons, may vary within relatively wide limits. Asa result, distributers of exercising mats of the kind under consideration must stock mats having undulations of various sizes. In families where children as well as adults are supposed to walk on an exercising mat, generally several mats must be provided for the several members of the family. This is inconvenient, particularly in view of the relative bulk of such exercising mats, and also because of the expense involved in procuring several mats.

In some instances it is medically indicated to exercise on walking mats whose surface is substantially flat rather than sinusoidal and has lump-like projections, knobs or burls. This increases the difficulty for dealers to keep an adequate supply of exercising mats in stock, and makes it difficult for users of mats to keep in readiness combinations of mats having various desired surface characteristics.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an exercising mat for physiotherapy which is universally applicable, i.e., that can be adapted to conform to any specific surface requierement, or requirements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Mats embodying this invention include an elongated base layer of an elastic material having an upper surface provided with lum'plike projections. Such mats further include a plurality of cover elements superimposed upon said upper surface of said base layer and extending in strip-like fashion transversely across said base layer. Each of said cover elements has a sinuous profile as seen in a direction transversely to said base layer. Composite mats embodying this invention further include fastener means adapted to secure said cover elements to saidbase layer and to vary the positions of said cover elements relative to said base layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a portion of a mat embodying the present invention showing but two cover elements on the base layer of which elements one is in position and the other is about to be placed in position; and

FIG. 2 is a top-plan view of a mat according to FIG. 1, some portions of the mat shown in FIG. 2 being broken away.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference character M has been applied to indicate an elastic base layer of natural rubber, or of a rubberlike substance, i.e., of an elastomer. Base layer M has an upper surface provided with lump-like projections N which may be more or less prismatic. Projections N stimulate the muscles of the feet and legs of any person walking barefoot on a base layer M.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of magnetizable units or plates E is arranged along both longitudinal edges of baselayer M and spaced equidistantly in a direction longitudinally of base layer M. A plurality of cover elements L of which but two are shown in FIG.l is superimposed upon-the upper surface of base layer M and extend in strip-like fashion transversely across base layer M. Cover elements L have a sinuous profile as seen in a direction transversely to base layer M. This has been clearly shown in FIG]. Cover elements L are also made of natural rubber, or a rubber-like substance, or an elastomer. Permanent magnets Ma are inserted into the lower surfaces of cover elements L and cooperate with units or plates E to affix cover elements L to base layer M in any desired position relative to base layer M.

While FIG. 1 shows cover means L of which each is provided with one single permanent magnet Ma, the cover means may be provided with several such magnets, if desired. The positioning of permanent magnets Ma may differ from that shown in FIG. 1 as long as the permanent magnets Ma and the magnetizable elements E form a system of fasteners allowing to adjust the position of cover means L in a direction longitudinally of base layer M.

While magnetic fasteners E,Ma are the preferred way. of flexibly attaching cover means L to base layer M, this invention is not limited to magnetic fasteners since other means could be applied to attach cover means L to base layer M.

As indicated in FIG.l cover means L are provided on the upper surfaces thereof with lump-like projections similar to those provided on the upper surface of base layer M arid serving the same purpose as the lump-like projections on the upper surface of base layer M. Preferably the lump-like projections on cover elements L are lower, and spaced farther apart, than the projections N on the upper surface of base layer M.

It will be apparent that walking on the base layer M with the cover elements L removed from it provides one kind of exercise, and that walking on the cover element L affixed to the base layer M provides another different kind of exercise.

Exercising mats are often used in bathrooms, on walks around swimming pools or, more generally speaking, in locations where water is likely to be spilled. To adapt the mat for use in such places base layer M is provided as shown in FIG.2 with perforations Lo, forming passages allowing the flow of liquids, and more specifically of water, across base layer'M.

Mats embodying this invention may also be used in bath tubs as ordinary bath tub mats. If such use is intended, the cover elements L are removed and the base I layer is placed upside down into a bathtub.

I claim as my invention: 1. A mat for the physiotherapeutic treatment of human feet and legs including a. an elongated base layer of an elastic material having an upper surface provided with lump-like projections;

b. a plurality of cover elements superimposed upon said upper surface of said base layer and extending in strip-like fashion transversely across said base layer, each of said cover elements having a sinuous profile as seen in a direction transversely to said base layer; and

c. fastener means adapted to secure said cover elements to said base layer and to vary the positions of said cover elements relative to said base layer.

2. A mat as specified in claim 1 wherein said base layer and said cover elements consist substantially on an elastomeric material.

3. A mat as specified in claim 1 wherein said fastener means include a plurality of magnetizable units arlowing the flow of liquids across said base layer,

It i i t

Claims

1. A mat for the physiotherapeutic treatment of human feet and legs including a. an elongated base layer of an elastic material having an upper surface provided with lump-like projections; b. a plurality of cover elements superimposed upon said upper surface of said base layer and extending in strip-like fashion transversely across said base layer, each of said cover elements having a sinuous profile as seen in a direction transversely to said base layer; and c. fastener means adapted to secure said cover elements to said base layer and to vary the positions of said cover elements relative to said base layer.

3. A mat as specified in claim 1 wherein said fastener means include a plurality of magnetizable units arranged along both longitudinal edges of said base layer and spaced in a direction longitudinally thereof, said fastener means further including permanent magnets inserted into the lower surfaces of said cover elements and cooperating with said magnetizable units to position said cover elements relative to said base layer.

4. A mat as specified in claim 1 wherein the upper surfaces of said cover elements are provided with lump-like projections.

5. A mat as specified in claim 1 wherein said base layer is provided with perforations forming passages allowing the flow of liquids across said base layer.