Surgery: kinesitherapy – Kinesitherapy – Vibrator
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-22
2001-05-08
Yu, Justine R. (Department: 3733)
Surgery: kinesitherapy
Kinesitherapy
Vibrator
C601S046000, C601S056000, C601S057000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06228041
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a lightweight, portable, scalp-vibrating and hair-growth stimulating device. The invention also relates to a method of inconspicuously wearing a portable hair-growth stimulating device while going about one's day-to-day business.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Baldness is a problem which affects millions of people in the United States. A wide variety of solutions such as hair transplants, hair implants and drug therapy are widely used to correct or mitigate the effects of baldness. Surgical techniques such as hair transplants and hair implants are costly, painful and produce an unnatural appearance. Drug therapy, such as Rogain® (registered trademark of Johnson & Johnson) is also costly and produces undesirable side effects such as unwanted growth on parts of the body other than the head.
A known alternative method of stimulating hair growth involves massaging or in other ways stimulating the human scalp. It is generally well recognized that massage or stimulation increases blood flow to the scalp which, in turn, stimulates hair growth and reduces flaking and peeling of the scalp.
In the prior art, many inventors have recognized the benefits derived from stimulating or massaging the human scalp. Prior art massage devices are taught, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,763,853, 4,469,092, 4,765,316, 5,421,799, and 5,486,156. The devices disclosed in each of the aforementioned patents have complex and costly designs. Such designs are prone to mechanical failure and are not affordable to the average consumer. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a hair-growth stimulating device which is very inexpensive and which has a simple, reliable design.
The devices disclosed in the prior art are also bulky, require the user to remain stationary while wearing the device, and severely restrict the user's activities. Such bulky and restrictive designs deter regular use of the device which is necessary to achieve the benefits derived from stimulation of the scalp. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a lightweight and portable hair-growth stimulating device which is comfortably worn by the user in his day-to-day activities.
While some of the head massaging devices disclosed in prior art may be portable, such devices are very conspicuous and cause embarrassment to the user. Therefore, it is also desirable to provide a portable hair-growth stimulating device which is concealed from public view and inconspicuous when worn by the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a scalp vibrating and hair-growth stimulator which is very inexpensive and which has a simple, reliable design. The stimulator is comfortably worn by the user in his day-to-day activities, is concealed from public view, and is inconspicuous when worn by the user.
The lightweight, portable, hair-growth stimulator comprises a fashion hat and a scalp vibrator fixed to and concealed within the fashion hat. The vibrator is powered by a portable direct current power source. The vibrator has a pliable bladder containing a vibration medium, and at least one agitator connected to a vibrating motor immersed within the vibration medium.
The fashion hat is preferably made of a soft, pliable, fabric. The fashion hat may be selected from the group consisting of a baseball hat, cowboy hat, derby, bowler, or beret or the like. Alternatively, the hat may be rigid such as a helmet or hard hat.
The vibrator comprises an electric motor having top and bottom surfaces, front and back surfaces, left and right side surfaces, and an oscillator extending outwardly from the front surface. The vibrator includes a rechargeable power source.
The agitators preferably are made of a rigid material such as metal wire or hard plastic. One end of the agitators is fixed to the oscillator on the front surface of the vibrating motor. The agitators extend outwardly from the front surface, downwardly toward the bottom surface, and rearwardly parallel to the bottom surface to support the weight of the motor. The agitators have a curved contour similar to the contour of a human head.
The bladder is made of a breathable, washable, lightweight fabric such as cotton or polyester. The bladder is preferably removably fixed to the interior of the hat using releasable fasteners such as Velcro tabs or snaps. The bladder may include a removable cover.
The vibration medium comprises small beads such as generally-spherical polypropylene beads having an average diameter of about 3 mm. The vibrating motor and agitators are immersed within the vibration medium.
The present invention also provides a novel method of stimulating hair growth on the head of a human. Initially, the above-described lightweight, portable, scalp stimulator is provided. The user selects a hat within which to contain and conceal the scalp vibrator. The user removably fixes the scalp vibrator within the hat and places the hat on his or her head. The user energizes the scalp vibrator and wears the hat for a period of time while conducting everyday activities.
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Earley III John F. A.
Harding Earley Follmer & Frailey
Konieczny Joseph M.
Yu Justine R.
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