GB2100604A

GB2100604A - Massaging device

Info

Publication number: GB2100604A
Application number: GB08119077A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham John Sharpe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-06-20
Filing date: 1981-06-20
Publication date: 1983-01-06
Also published as: GB2100604B

Abstract

A massaging device comprises two coextending elongate flexible elements 10 connected together at spaced intervals by a plurality of transverse wooden spindles 13 each having two wooden spherical rollers 14. The spindles are spaced apart by wooden beads 12 threaded on the flexible elements 10, a ring handle 11 is provided at each end of the device. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A massaging device The invention provides a massaging device by means of which a person may massage himself or herself to improve muscle tone and provide firm and elastic muscles.

According to the invention there is provided a massaging device comprising two coextending elongate flexible elements connected together at spaced intervals along the length thereof by a plurality of transverse cross members each having at least one roller rotatable thereon.

The method of using the massaging device according to the invention will be described in greater detail below but, generally, the user holds the opposite ends of the flexible elements and moves the device back and forth over the part of the body to be massaged so that the rollers perform the massaging action.

Each cross member may comprise a substantially rigid spindle which may, for example, be formed from wood. Preferably there are mounted two or more rollers on each spindle. The rollers are preferably substantially spherical in shape and may also be formed from wood.

The two elongate flexible elements are preferably connected together at opposite ends thereof. For example, the ends of the elements may be connected together by being connected to a hande at each end of the device. Each handle may be generally in the form of a rigid ring.

The elongate flexible elements may pass through holes in the ends of the cross members, means being provided on each flexible element to maintain the ends of adjacent cross members spaced apart therealong. Said means may comprise one or more distance pieces, such as beads, through which the flexible element is threaded. The beads may also be formed from wood.

The following is a more detailed description of an embodiment of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a massaging device according to the invention, and Figures 2 to 5 show the device in use.

Referring to Figure 1, the device comprises two cords 10 connected between ring-shaped handles 11 which may be moulded from plastics material. For convenience the two cords 10 may comprise two halves of a single continuous cord which is tied at its mid point to one of the rings 11, the two ends of the cord being tied to the other ring.

Threaded on the cords 10 between the rings 11 are a plurality of wooden beads 12. A number of wooden spindles 13, eleven spindles in the example illustrated, are connected between the cords 10 at spaced intervals along the length thereof. The cords pass through holes in the ends of the spindles 13 and adjacent spindles are spaced apart by the beads between the ends thereof, the beads thus acting as distance pieces.

Two wooden rollers 14 are freely rotatable on each spindle 13. In the illustrated arrangement the rollers 14 are spherical in shape but it will be appreciated that other shapes of rollers may also be used.

Although it is preferred for the spindles 13, rollers 14 and beads 12to beformedfromwood,itwill be appreciated that other materials, such as plastics, may be employed if desired.

The cords 10 may be of nylon. Any stretch which may develop in the cords in use can be taken up by untying the ends of the cords from one of the rings 11 and pulling the cords tight before retying them to the ring.

Figures 2 to 4 illustrate the basic method of using the massage device shown in Figure 1. For the general massage the starting position for the device is below the buttocks, as shown in Figure 2, and, with feet apart and body gently gyrating, the rollers 14 are moved backwards and forwards across the body by pulling the right and left hands alternately.

This is done over one area some ten to twenty times and then the device is moved up the body until it is running across the centre of the buttocks. The same procedure is followed, gradually moving up the body, as shown in Figure 3, until eventually the device is working under the armpits as shown in Figure 4. The process is then reversed gradually moving the device downwardly again. The whole procedure can be repeated several times.

In addition to the general massage illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, specific areas of the body can receive special attention as required. For example, Figure 5 shows the device in use to massage the upper leg and thigh.

As the massaging device is used and the body gyrates not only are the back and lateral muscles flexing but also those of the stomach, upper arms and bust or chest. It is this flexing which causes the firming up of these various areas.

1. A massaging device comprising two coextending elongate flexible elements connected together at spaced intervals along the length thereof by a plurality of transverse cross members each having at least one roller rotatable thereon.

2. A massaging device according to claim 1, wherein each cross member comprises a substantially rigid spindle.

3. A massaging device according to claim 2, wherein there are mounted two or more rollers on each spindle.

4. A massaging device according to claim 3, wherein the rollers are substantially spherical in shape.

5. A massaging device according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the two elongate flexible elements are connected together at opposite ends thereof.

6. A massaging device according to claim 5, wherein the ends of the elements are connected together by being connected to a handle at each end of the device.

7. A massaging device according to claim 6, wherein each handle is generally in the form of a rigid ring or D-shape.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A massaging device The invention provides a massaging device by means of which a person may massage himself or herself to improve muscle tone and provide firm and elastic muscles. According to the invention there is provided a massaging device comprising two coextending elongate flexible elements connected together at spaced intervals along the length thereof by a plurality of transverse cross members each having at least one roller rotatable thereon. The method of using the massaging device according to the invention will be described in greater detail below but, generally, the user holds the opposite ends of the flexible elements and moves the device back and forth over the part of the body to be massaged so that the rollers perform the massaging action. Each cross member may comprise a substantially rigid spindle which may, for example, be formed from wood. Preferably there are mounted two or more rollers on each spindle. The rollers are preferably substantially spherical in shape and may also be formed from wood. The two elongate flexible elements are preferably connected together at opposite ends thereof. For example, the ends of the elements may be connected together by being connected to a hande at each end of the device. Each handle may be generally in the form of a rigid ring. The elongate flexible elements may pass through holes in the ends of the cross members, means being provided on each flexible element to maintain the ends of adjacent cross members spaced apart therealong. Said means may comprise one or more distance pieces, such as beads, through which the flexible element is threaded. The beads may also be formed from wood. The following is a more detailed description of an embodiment of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a massaging device according to the invention, and Figures 2 to 5 show the device in use. Referring to Figure 1, the device comprises two cords 10 connected between ring-shaped handles 11 which may be moulded from plastics material. For convenience the two cords 10 may comprise two halves of a single continuous cord which is tied at its mid point to one of the rings 11, the two ends of the cord being tied to the other ring. Threaded on the cords 10 between the rings 11 are a plurality of wooden beads 12. A number of wooden spindles 13, eleven spindles in the example illustrated, are connected between the cords 10 at spaced intervals along the length thereof. The cords pass through holes in the ends of the spindles 13 and adjacent spindles are spaced apart by the beads between the ends thereof, the beads thus acting as distance pieces. Two wooden rollers 14 are freely rotatable on each spindle 13. In the illustrated arrangement the rollers 14 are spherical in shape but it will be appreciated that other shapes of rollers may also be used. Although it is preferred for the spindles 13, rollers 14 and beads 12to beformedfromwood,itwill be appreciated that other materials, such as plastics, may be employed if desired. The cords 10 may be of nylon. Any stretch which may develop in the cords in use can be taken up by untying the ends of the cords from one of the rings 11 and pulling the cords tight before retying them to the ring. Figures 2 to 4 illustrate the basic method of using the massage device shown in Figure 1. For the general massage the starting position for the device is below the buttocks, as shown in Figure 2, and, with feet apart and body gently gyrating, the rollers 14 are moved backwards and forwards across the body by pulling the right and left hands alternately. This is done over one area some ten to twenty times and then the device is moved up the body until it is running across the centre of the buttocks. The same procedure is followed, gradually moving up the body, as shown in Figure 3, until eventually the device is working under the armpits as shown in Figure 4. The process is then reversed gradually moving the device downwardly again. The whole procedure can be repeated several times. In addition to the general massage illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, specific areas of the body can receive special attention as required. For example, Figure 5 shows the device in use to massage the upper leg and thigh. As the massaging device is used and the body gyrates not only are the back and lateral muscles flexing but also those of the stomach, upper arms and bust or chest. It is this flexing which causes the firming up of these various areas. CLAIMS

8. A massaging device according to any claims 1 to 7, wherein the elongate flexible elements pass through holes in the ends of the cross members, means being provided on each flexible element to maintain the ends of adjacent cross members spaced apart therealong.

9. A massaging device according to claim 8, wherein said means comprise one or more distance pieces through which the flexible element is threaded.

10. A massaging device according to claim 9, wherein the distance pieces comprise beads or wood or plastics material.

11. A massaging device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rollers and/or the cross members are formed from wood or plastics material.

12. A massaging device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.