EP0229169A1

EP0229169A1 - Combination brush and massager

Info

Publication number: EP0229169A1
Application number: EP19860904662
Authority: EP
Inventors: Anthony Battalia
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-07-17
Filing date: 1986-07-15
Publication date: 1987-07-22
Also published as: WO1987000425A1

Abstract

Combinaison brosse et dispositif de massage comprenant des éléments de massage sphériques rotatifs omnidirectionnels et interchangeables 14 et 14' et des parties de brosse interchangeables 16. Lesdites parties de brosse sont aisément interchangeables avec d'autres parties de brosse ou avec du matériau résilient afin d'obtenir l'effet de friction désiré. Etant donné que les sphères de massage 14 et 14' sont omnidirectionnelles, le dispositif peut être frotté sur le corps dans toutes les directions à la fois transversales et en arc de cercle, les sphères continuant à tourner.Combination brush and massage device comprising omnidirectional and interchangeable rotary spherical massage elements 14 and 14 ′ and interchangeable brush parts 16. Said brush parts are easily interchangeable with other brush parts or with resilient material in order to obtain the desired friction effect. Since the massage spheres 14 and 14 'are omnidirectional, the device can be rubbed on the body in all directions, both transverse and in an arc, the spheres continuing to rotate.

Description

COMBINATION BRUSH AND MASSAGER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention: The present invention related to the field of massage apparatus for use on the human body.

2. Description of Related Art: Brushes and massagers as independent elements have heretofore been used. In some cases the massager amd brush are connected by way of a handle but are not otherwise operably combined as shown in U.S. Patent No. 2,653,598 to The. Torino. In other combination devices the massage element is disposed within the field of the brush bristles as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 823,312 to R.U. Williams. The present invention combines a new and improved combination brush and massager wherein omnidirectional rotating massage elements are recessed within the field of the brush bristles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a combination massager and brush device, which when used, will accomplish the functions of massaging, kneading, stimulating and cleaning among others.

Massage has been used a therapeutic and relaxing process for several centuries and today is enjoying increasing popularity in the treatment of physical maladies such as sprains, contusions and to stimulate blood flow. Essentially massage is a process by which the skin and subcutaneous tissue is kneaded, rolled or manipulated. The process includes stroking, kneading, rubbing and friction. Massage is known to increase circulation in the skin and subcutaneous tissue by

SUBSTITUTESHEE causing dilation of the blood vessels. As it affects the deeper tissue the increased blood flow caused by massage aids in the flushing and removal of toxants and other by-products of exercise and fatigue.

The present invention is an improvement over the related art in that the rolling or kneading elements are omnidirectional thus allowing the device to be moved over the body in any direction including arcuate or circular travel without binding the massaging elements.

The invention has a conveniently sized and shaped body and handle to facilitate holding. A portion of the body has a field of bristles to that commonly used in a body scrub brush. The term bristles is used herein in its broadest sense and inculdes such materials as sponges, natural or. synthetic and any resilient material which, when rubbed over the skin gives the desired frictional effect. Within the field of bristles at least one or more omnidirectional revolving spheres are located. In the related art the movable portions which accomplish the kneading function have been wheeles or cylinders which, because of their fixed axis rotate in only two directions. ^* This limits the stroking direction of the device to the direction of rotation of the wheels or cylinders. In the present invention, spheres are used which rotate in virtually every direction this removing the limitation of the related art.

The present invention also incorporates an easily detachable brush portion and a separate detachable sphere portion. The brush portion which contains the field of bristles can be easily removed and replaced with other brush portions

SUBSTITUTE SHEET having various types of bristles of different stiffness, different materials, structures and shapes. Thus, the bristle portion can be readily changed to effect varying therapeutic and/or comforting effects as desired.

The sphere portion is also detachable from the body brush and as with the brush portion, can be readily replaced with spheres of varying numbers and sizes to accomplish the desired therepeutic and/or comforting effect.

It is anticipated that one or more times for using the device will be during a shower or bath. The soap and water environment in which the invention would be used subjects the moving parts to clogging and corrosion. The present invention substantially reduces and virtually eliminates this possibility by way of the method with which the spheres are operably mounted to the body. Each sphere is mounted between two or more resilient members or fingers having an arcuate inner surface slightly larger than the outside diameter of the sphere, thus forming a socket. The resiliency and flexibility of these members allows each of the spheres to be easily plucked out of its sockets for rinsing and cleaning if necessary. The resilient members themselves can be formed substantially in the shape of fingers which reduces or virtually elimates the possibility of clogging or other conditions which may affect the spheres' ability to rotate within the socket.

The invention may also feature a vibrating mechanism to enhance the massaging action. In addition, the invention may include water channels having outlets within or adjacent to the bristles and spheres for steady or pulsating streams of fluid

SUBST8TUTESHEET such as water or water and soap mixtures. The inlet for these channels can have a convenient means for connection to a fluid source such as a faucet or shower head.

It is an object of this invention to provide a combination brush and massager.

It is another object of this invention to provide a combination brush and massager having changeable brush portions.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a combination brush and massager consistent with the foregoing objectives and further to provide for removing and replacing the rotating massage elements.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a combination brush and massager- wherein the massaging elements may be removed and replaced with other massaging elements of varying numbers and sizes.

In accordance with these and other objectives which may become apparent, the invention will now be described by reference to the drawings filed herewith.

SUBSTITUTESHEET BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an isometric view showing the bristle face of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a partial cross sectional view of the bristle portion of the invention taken along lines A-A¹ in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a partial isometric cross-sectional exploded view of the ball and socket assembly of the invention.

Figure 4 is an isometric exploded view of the entire invention showing it component parts.

Figure 5 is a face view of the removable bristle portion of the invention.

Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional side elevation view of the quick massage release mechanism showing the release mechanism is the up position and the massage elements in place.

Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional side elevation view of the quick releaes mechanism in the depressed position and the massage elements dislodged.

Figure 8 is an isometric view of the invention showing water channels in phantom view.

Figure 9 is an end view of the threaded portion of the pocket portion of the invention adapted for the quick release mechanism.

SUBSTITUTESHEET DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows the bristles generally 16 disposed in bristle plate 42 connected to brush body 10. The brush body 10 has a handle 12 which are both shaped and sized to be conveniently held by hand. Also shown in Figure 1 are the spheres 14 and 14' disposed within the field of bristles generally 16.

Referring now also in Figure 2, a partial cross-section of the invention is shown of the field of bristles generally 16 disposed within a base 42. The field of bristles 16 is composed of a plurality or typical bristles bundles 18 disposed within the base 42. The base 42 is removably attached to the body 10 as shown in Figure 4. Also releaseably attached to the body 10 is second place 44. Connected to the second plate 44 are the sockets 20 and 20' respectively. The socket 20 is constructed of the three resilient fingers 22, 22' and 22". Each of these resilient fingers 22, 22' and 22" have arcuate inner surfaces for receiving and retaining sphere 14. Likewise, the socket 20' has resilient fingers 40, 40' and 40" for retaining the sphere 14' .

Referring now to Figure 3 a partial cross-sectional view of the second plate 44 having threaded hole 24 for receiving the threaded portion 46 of socket 20. The threaded protion 46 is fixed to the socket 20 formed by resilient fingers 22, 22' and 22". Thus, the socket 20 can be screwed into plate 44 and retained therein. Also shown in Figure 3 is sphere 14 removed from the socket 20 formed by resilient fingers 22, 22' and 22".' The sphere 14 is shown along center line B which coincides with

TUTE SHEET the center line of the threaded portion 46 and threaded hole 26.

The resilient fingers 22, 22' and 22" of socket 20 are of the

•a socket 20, . but resilient enough to retain the sphere 14 when the invention is being used.

In Figure 4 an exploded view of the invention is shown. The sphere 14 is shown aligned along center line B with socket 20, threaded portion 46 and threaded hole 26. When assembled, sphere 14 is retained within the socket 20 by resilient fingers 22, 22' and 22". At the base of socket 20 is threaded rod portion 46 which screws into threaded hole 26. Threaded hole 26 is disposed within the second plate 44. Likewise, sphere 14' is shown aligned with socket 20', threaded rod 46' and threaded hole 26' along by resilient fingers 40, 40' and 40" when assembled. The threaded rod portion 46' is fixed to the base of the socket 20' and is screwed into threaded hole 26' for assembly. Threaded hole 26' is disposed in the second plate 44. An additional hole 30 is provided in base plate 44 for attaching the second plate 44 to the brush body 10 by means of the screw 28 and threaded hole 32. The bristles generally 16 are disposed in bristle plate 42.

Referring also to Figure 5, the bristle plate 42 is shown with plurality of typical bristle bundles 18. Also disposed within bristle plate 42 are open holes 60 and 60'. The holes 60 and 60' shown in Figure 5 are aligned along center line C as shown in Figure 4. Also along center line C in Figure 4 is screw 24 and threaded hole 34. The threaded portion of screw 24 passes through hole 60 in the bristle plate 42 and is threaded into hole 34 for assembly. Likewise, the threaded portion of

SUBSTITUTE SHEET screw 24' passes through hole 60' in the first plate 42 and is threaded into threaded hole 34' in the body 10 for assembly.

The threaded screws 24 and 24' retain the bristle plate 42 and the bristles 16 easily interchangeable with other plates having various bristle compositions or other frictional material.

Referring now also to Figure 6 and 7, a "quick release mechanism" is shown as an additional feature to facilitate the removal, of the spheres 14 and 14' from their socket 20 and 20' respectively. The threaded portion 46 of socket 20 is provided with a through hole 74 as also shown in Figure 8 through which the release mechanism arm 68 is slideably disposed. The spring 70 is in compression when assembled thereby maintaining the quick release mechanism 66 in the up position. The quick release mechanism 66 is disposed within the brush body 10. with the recessed area 82.

When the quick release mechanism 66 is pressed in the direction of arrow H the quick release mechanism arms 68 and 68' respectively contact spheres 14 and 14' respectively driving out of their sockets 20 and 20' respectively. In this manner, the spheres 14 and 14' can be removed for cleaning or to allow the invention to be used merely as a brush. While the embodiment shown has only two spheres 14 and 14' by simple modification of the second plate 44 additional spheres of various sizes can be substituted.

Referring now to Figure 7 an inlet 92 is disposed within the handle 12 which is in fluid communication via a plurality of channels 88, 88' and 88" having outlets 90' and 90" in the area of the bristles 16. A fluid source (not shown) can be attached

SUBSTITUTESHEET to port 92 to supply a steady or pulsating stream of fluid to enhance the brushing and massaging features of the invention.

Figure 8 shows an end view typically of the socket 20 and 20'. The quick release mechanism arm 68 showing the Figures 5 and 6 are sideably received within the hole 74. The recessed are 82 for receiving the quick release mechanism 66 and arms 68 and 68' is sized and shaped to allow quick release mechanism 66 and arms 68 and 68' to travel in the direction of arrow H. The recessed area 82 is a single size and shape sufficient to accomodate a variety of quick release mechanisms 66 with varying numbers of arms corresponding to the number of spheres.

This invention has been described in what is considered to be the preferred embodiment. Variations may be possible without departing from"the spirit of the invention.

SUBSTITUTESHEET

Claims

What I claim is :

1. A combination brush and massager comprising of: a main body portion, at least one resilient flexible material means having an exposed surface for creating friction when placed in contact with and moved in relation to an object, a means for releaseably attaching said resilient flexible material means to said main body portion, at least one spherical massage element, and at least one socket means for operably connecting said spherical massage element to said main body portion to dllow omnidirectional rotation of said spherical massage element.

2. A combination brush and massager as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said spherical massage element, when retained in said socket means connected to said main body portion is oriented with respect to said exposed surface of said resilient flexible material to cause rotation when said spherical massage element and said exposed surface are brought in connection with an object and moved in relation thereto.

3. A combination brush and massage, as set forth in claim 1 or 2 wherein: said socket means includes a tension means for allowing said spherical massage element to move transversely

SUBSTITUTESHEET therein and maintain contact with an irregular surface over which it is moved.

4. A combination brush and massager as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said socket means includes at least two resilient fingers each having an arcuate inner surface means sized and spaced in relation to said spherical massage element to permit said spherical massage element to rotate therebetween.

5. A combination brush and massager as set forth in claim 2 wherein: said socket means includes at least two resilient fingers each having an arcuate inner surface eans sized and spaced in relation to said spherical massage element to permit said spherical massage element to rotate therebetween.

6. A combination brush and massager as set forth in claim 3 wherein: said socket means includes at least two resilient fingers each having an arcuate inner surface means sized and spaced in relation to said spherical massage element to permit said spherical massage element to rotate therebetween.

7. A combination brush and massager as set forth in claim 2

SUBSTITUTE SHEET wherein : said resilient members are sufficiently flexible to allow insertion and removal of said spherical massage element therebetween and are of sufficiently rigid to retain said spherical massage element therebetween and allow omnidirectional rotation during use.

8. A combination brush and massager as set forth in claim 3 herein: said resilient members are sufficiently flexible to allow insertion and removal- of said spherical massage element therebetween and-are of sufficiently rigid to retain said spherical massage element therebetween and allow omnidirectional rotation during use.

9. A combination brush and massager as set forth in claim 4 or 5 wherein: said resilient members are sufficient flexible to allow insertion and removal of said spherical massage element therebetween and are of sufficiently rigid to retain said spherical massage element therebetween and allow omnidirectional rotation during use.

10. A combination brush and massager as set forth in claim 6 wherein: said resilient members are sufficiently flexible to allow insertion and removal of said spherical massage element therebetween and are of sufficiently rigid to

SUBSTITUTESHEET retain said spherical massage element therebetween and allow omnidirectional rotation during use.

SUBSTITUTESHEET