Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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MASSAGE DEVICES
I. DESCRIPTION:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field Of The Invention
This invention relates to a massaging mechanism
comprising a massage head rotatably inserted into a
rotatable angled socket and to dry massage devices which
utilize the massaging mechanism. When the angled socket
is rotated, it causes the massage head to produce a non-
rotating kneading, massaging action.
More particularly, this invention relates to a massage
mechanism which comprises an easily replaced massage head
having a non-rotating kneading, massaging action ~hich is
in general synchronization with the heartbeat of the
massagee. This synchronization results in a maximization
o the blood circulation to the muscles being massaged,
thus aiding in the support of metabolic activity and
increasing the tone and suppleness of the treated muscles.
2. Description Of The Prior ~rt
Tnere are a variety of dry massage devices which
utilize angled massage heads, however, none of these
devices have massage heads which can be removed while
the apparatus is in operation and none of these devices
are synchronized to the heartbeat of the massagee.
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Examples of those prior art devices which have non-
rotating massage heads are:
Sandt, U.S. Patent 4,061,137 which discloses a
device that provides a vibrating action while utilizing
flat massage heads with wobbling motions. This device
is a complex mechanism which does not impose a late.al
or chafing motion. The massage heads are non-rotatably
attached to the drive means and can safely be removed
only when the device is not operating.
Thornton, U.S. Patent 3,207,152 discloses a massage
couch having multiple inclined flat massage heads attached
to a rotating shaft. The heads rotate but are covered
by massage pads which do not rotate but have a wobbl~ng
motion. The wobble massage heads can be actuated at
different speeds to more closely simulate the action of
a pair of hands giving a Swedish massage.
Fujimoto, U.S. Patent 3,678,924 discloses a device
in which a flat circular plate is rotatably attached to
an angled drive shaft by means of a bearing. When the
shaft rotates, the plate does not, causing the plate to
wobble. The shaft is actuated by a motor driven belt.
The prior art also includes massage devices which
operate on eccentric shafts such as Richmond, U.S.
Pat~nt 855,342; Miller, U.S. Patent 912,016; Macaura,
U.S. Patent 1,592,144; and, Miyahara, U.S. Patent
3,993,052.
Other prior art devices operate by means of vibration,
exampies are, Hall, U.S. Patent 2,265,729 and Ereemon,
U.S. Patent 1,844,247.
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Some other prior art devices disclose a p~uralit~
of massaging heads which may be on angular shafts, such
as, Paschall, U.S. patent 1,577,751; Ritter, U.S.
Patent 2,907,323; and, ~rent, U.S. Patent 3,374,784.
The prior art does not teach the concept of
utilizing a non-rotating, easily removable massage head
which is set rotatably into a socket which is on a
driver at an angle at which the axis of the driver can
intersect the axis of the massage head at a point on
the center of the top of the massage head or along the
center post. In addition, the prior art does not teach
utilizing a massage disc which has a non-rotating
kneading action essentially in synchronization with the
heartbeat.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object o this invention to provide an
improved massaging mechanism.
It is a further object of this invention to provide
an improved massage mechanism wherein the massage head
is rotatably set into a socket fixed at an angle on a
driver.
It is still another object of this invention to
provide an improved massage mechanism in a massage
de~ice ~herein the massage head can be removed and
replaced while the device is operating.
It is yet another object of this invention to pro-
vide an improved massage device suitable for use as a
foot massager which utilizes a massage mechanism whereir
the massage heads are rotatably set into sockets fixed
at an angle on a driver.
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It is an additional o~ject o~ thIs inyention to
provide an improved massage de~Ice suitable for use as
a hand-held body massager which utilizes a massage
mechanism wherein the massage head is rotatably set into
a ~ocket ~ixed at an angle on a driver.
It is yet an addItional object of this inyention
to provide an improved massage mechanism adaptable to
a Yariety of massage devices~
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to massage mechanisms
comprising one or more drivers having an angled socket
on the end of each driver. The socket has a massage
head rotatably engaged therewith by means of a post
fixed essentially perpendicularly to the back of the
head. The massage heads are generally conical shaped
discs. The socket is angled to a degree which results
in the axis of the head and the axis of the driver
intersecting at a point on the massage head or
post which results in the desired massaging action with
a minim~m of excess shear or excess chafing. Preferably
the intersection is at the apex of the cone or a hand-
held body massager and on the post for a foot massager.
As the socket rotates, it causes one edge of the massage
head to rise while the other falls to give an undulating,
kneading action. The edges of the conical shaped disc
rise and fall through e.g. about a 20 to 30 angle.
The driver is operatively connected to a power
source which revolves the socket at a rate approximating
the heartbeat, i.e., about 60 to 70 RPM. The massage
head can be removed and replaced by another head with
3a a different top shape or surface while the massage device
with which it is associated is in operation. The
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massage mechanis~ can be utilized in a ~ariety of
massage devices such as foot massagers and hand-held
body massagers.
BRIE~ DESCRIPTION O~ THE DR~ INGS
i.
Figure 1 shows two perspective yiews of a massage
head and socket in acccrdance with this invention;
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a massage
head with hemispherical tip pins on the top surface,
which head can be placed in the socket of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a top perspective view of the massage
head in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a side elevational view in cross section
of a massage head with concentric rings on the top sur-
face, which head can be placed in the socket of Figure l;
Figure 5 is a top perspective view of the massage
head in Figure 4:
Figure 6 is a side elevational view in cross section
of a massage head with radial bars on the top surface,
which head can be placed in the socket of Figure l;
Figure 7 is a top perspective view of the massage
head in Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a side elevational view of a massage
head with truncated cone shape having a depressed
center on the top surface, which head can be placed in
the socket of Figure 1;
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Figule 9 is a side elevational view of a massage
head o~ smooth rounded shape on the top surface, which
head can be placed in the socket of Figure l;
Figure 10 is a sIde elevational view in cross
5 section of a hand-~held massager with no housing details;
Figure 11 is a side elevational view in cross
section of a dual head foot massager in a housing;
Figure 12 is a top elevational view in cross
section of a dual head foot massager without the
10 massage heads, showing the worm gear drive;
Figure 13 is a top perspective view of a foot
massager and housing in accordance with this invention and
appears on the same sheet as Figure 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings, there is shown in
Figure 1 the details of the structural relationship of
a driver guide shaft 13, driver with socket hole 12
and massage head 11. The massage head 11 having a
perpendicular center post 14 rotatably fits into the ,
angled socket in the driver 12 which rotates on the
driver guide shaft 13. The head 11 is of a short
conical shape and has extending downward from the
base, a key 15 which fits into a slot 16 in the
housing 17 sho~n in part adjacent the orifice 18. The
diameter of the center post 14 is smaller than the
inside diameter of the socket hole in the driver 12.
The angle at which the axis of the driver guide shaft
13 intersects the axis of the massage head 11 is not
critical to the operation of the massage head mechanism
10 since any angle will operate, however, it was found
that an angle of about 10 to 15 depending on the
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desired shear ~o be applled to ~he massaged area gives
optimum results~ When the axes intersect at the apex
of the cone, there is no lateral movement of ~he apex;
this is mo~t suitable for a hand-held body massager.
5 As the point of intersection goes down the post at the
base of the massage head, the apex of the cone has an
increasing lateral movement. This is a preferred
feature for a foot massager.
An advantageous feature of the device of this
10 invention is that the massage heads can be easily
changed to provide mild or vigorous massaging action.
Figures 2-9 depict a variety of surface con-
figurations suitable for use as massage heads in this
invention, some of which impart a vigorous massage
15 action and others of which impart a mild action.
Figures 2 and 3 show a massage head 21 with
hemispherical tip pins 22 which is suitable for use in
this invention when a vigorous massage is desired.
The massage head 61 shown in Figure 6 having radial
20 bars 62 is also suitable for vigorous massage action.
A less vigorous massage effect is obtained when
using the massage head 41 in Figure 4, 81 in Figure 8,
and 91 in ~igure 9, having, respectively, concentric
rings 42, a depressed center 82 and a smooth rounded
25 surface 92.
Figure 10 shows a hand-held massager 100 comprised
of a housing 101 with an electric motor 102 therein,
said motor having a driver guide shaft 13 with a
tilted driver with a socket hole 12 suppcrted by the
30 end therecf. The tilt of the socket hole in the driver
12 is at an angle which ensures that the massage head
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103 therein imparts little or no la-teral movem~nt and
chafing to the massaged portions of the body. The
housing 101 ~s of a shape which makes it easy to hold
in the hand. Generally, if the axis of the d iver
guide shaft 13 intersects the axis of the apex 104 OL
the cone on the top surface of the head 103, the
optimum massaging action is obtained. The center
post 14 of the head 103 fits rotatably in the
socket hole of driver 12, as it has a diameter
smaller than the inside diameter of the socket
hole. The head 103 can be of a variety of shapes
on its top surface 105. The head 103 depicted in
Figure 10 is of a short, smooth, conical shape with
the apex 104 removed. This results in the massaging
action being distributed over a wider area. The
head preferably has a collar 106 which fits rotatably
in the orifice 18 of the housing 101. When the
motor 102 is turned on, it rotates the bottom gear
107, the idler gearset 99 and the top gear 108
which is fixed to the driver with the socket hole
12. rrhis rotates the driver 12 at a rate approximating
the heartbeat, i.e., about 60 - 70 RPM. As the
driver with the socket hole 12 rotates, it causes in
the edge 98 of the massage head 103 to rise and fall
in an undulating motion through about 20 to 30,
depending on the angle of tilt which is one half the
angle the edge 98 of the massage head 103 rises and
falls. The device 100 is designed so that when the
massage head 103 is pressed against the body, the
pressure prevents the massage head 103 from rotatlng
substantially and assures that the desired non-rotating
kneading, massaging action takes place. The massage
head 103 can be removed while the device 100 is turned
on or it can be removed while it is turned off. This
enables the operator to change with facility the
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massage h~ad 103 to suit personal preference and use,
~or example, the massage heads depicted in Figures 2-9.
Anothex mean~ to m~ke sure t~at the massage head does
not rotate with the driver with the socket hole 12 is
to pro~ide a key pin as depicted in Figures 1, 2, 4, 6,
8 and 9, and a keyhole as depicted in Figure 1. In
order to assist ~n preJenting the top gear 108 from
lifting out through the orifice 18, a ring 109 is
inserted ~n the orifice 18.
The device of this invention can have multiple
massage heads driven by a power source which causes
each to have a non-rotating kneading action. For
example, a body massage couch or chair can be con-
structed using the massage mechanism of this inven-
tion. The massage mechanism of this invention is
eminently suitable for use in a foot massage device.
Such devices can be made with, e.g. as many as eight
massage heads arranged in the housing so that for each
foot one head massages the toes, one head massages the
ball of the foot, one head massages the arch, and one
head massages the heel; or a simple foot massage
device can be constructed with one massage head for
each foot. In such case, one moves the foot over the
massage head to get the desired effect.
Depicted in Figures 11, 12 and 13 is a foot
massage device 110 of this invention wherein the
housing 111 has two orifices 112 which are spaced
apart to enabLe one to place one foot on each of the
massage heads 114 placed therein. The height of the
heads is such that the feet rest on the surface of the
housing and the heads comfortably. The pressure of
the $eet on the massage heads 114 heips prevent the
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heads ~rom rotating when the motor 115 is turned on
with switch 122. ~hen the motor 115 is t~lrned on, it
actuates worm gear llo which turns gears il7 each of
which in turn rotate drivers with socket holes 119.
The drivers w~th socket holes 119 are fixed to the
~ears 117 wh~ch a~e mounted to rotate freely on the
driver gu~de shaft 118. The socket holes are on
the upper ends of the drivers 119 and are tilted at
an angle wherein the axes of the drivers ll9 and
the driver guide shafts 118 which are concentric
intersect the axes of the massage heads 114 at half
the height of the center posts 14. This causes the
edges 120 of the heads to undulate (wobble), resulting
in the desired non-rotating kneading, massaging
action on the feet. The angle of the axis can be
varied to alter the desired angle of wobble to
provide more shear, however, an angle of about
13 - 15 which results in an angle of wobble of about
26 - 30 is preferred. The motor llS and gears 117
are selected to enable them to rotate the drivers with
the socket holes ll9 at about 60 - 70 RPM. This
rotation rate is in approximate synchronization with
the heartbeat. Other conventional means may also be
used to rotate the drivers with the socket holes,
directly or indirectly, e.g., belts, gears, and the
like.
The massage heads 114 also can be prevented from
rotating substantially with the drivers with the
socket holes ll9 by several conventional expedients.
For example, as shown in Figure ll, the massage heads
114 can have collars 123 which frictionally abut felt
wipers 121 at one side of the orifices 112. The
collars 123 are designed to have suf'icient downward
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length so the bottom ed~e ~s inside the orifices 112
and below the top edge of the orifices 1l?~ this
prevents p~nching of the ~oot between the massage head
114 as it undulates and the housing 111. This ~s the
preferred con~i~urat~on of the massage heads~ Another
structural expedient is shown in Pigures 1, ?, 4, 6, 8
and 9 ~herein a ~ey 15 extends downward ~rom the ba~e
of the massage head with or without a collar to engage
a keyhole or slot 16 in the surface of the housing.
If it is desired to have the foot massaging device
vibrate, an unbalanced weight can be attached to the
dri~e shaft of worm gear 116.
The invention described herein is related to the
invention described in applicants' co-pending application
Serial No. 351,589 filed May 9, 1980.
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