GB2135202A

GB2135202A - Foot massaging and exercising device

Info

Publication number: GB2135202A
Application number: GB08304455A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Bramhill
Original assignee: BRON MARKETING Ltd
Current assignee: BRON MARKETING Ltd
Priority date: 1983-02-17
Filing date: 1983-02-17
Publication date: 1984-08-30
Also published as: GB8304455D0

Abstract

The device comprises a plastics frame 1 moulded in one piece and comprising upstanding side walls 3 between which parallel spindles 10 extend, substantially spherical rollers 7 being independently rotatable on the spindles which are so arranged as to provide an arched bed of rollers over which the foot can be drawn back and forth. End portions of the spindles are retained in apertures in the side walls, being snap-fitted in assembly by sliding down range faces 12 and past shoulders of the walls. The ramp faces are provided at the backs of upright slots 13 in the side walls and the apertures open into vertical passages 14 terminating at further apertures 15 in the base. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Foot massaging and exercising device The invention is concerned with inprovements in or relating to foot massaging and exercising devices, and in one of its aspects provides such a device comprising an arched bed of rollers over which the sole of the foot can be drawn repeatedly back and forth with rotation of the rollers. In this way the foot can be massaged and both the foot and the leg exercised.

In a preferred embodiment the device comprises a plurality of rollers, to be contacted by the foot, which are spaced apart both longitudinally and transversely of the device. Successive longitudinally spaced rollers are preferably offset. The rollers are preferably of an axially rounded form, and most preferably are spherical, or approximately spherical, with a diameter within the range 0.75 inch (19.05 mm) to 1.5 inch (38 mm).

The rollers may be arranged in a plurality of transversely extending rows. Conveniently the rollers in each row may be mounted on a common spindle, and the rollers on each spindle are preferably independently rotatable.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which Figure lisa plan view of a foot massaging and exercising device according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the device shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 3 is fronft view of the device of Figures 1, 2 and 3 shown partly in cross section; and Figure 4 is part of a cross sectional view on line IV-IV of Figure 3, but with a spindle removed.

The Figures show a foot massaging and exercising device which comprises a frame 1 moulded in one piece of a plastics material and having a base 2 and upstanding side walls 3. The base has a flat lower surface and is approximately square, and the side walls extend along opposite edges of the base. In order to save material, the base has an aperture 4 surrounded by an upstanding lip 5, and the base is strengthened by two transverse moulded ribs 6.

Within the frame 1, mounted between the side walls 3, is arranged an arched bed of rollers in the form of axially rounded, generally spherical, rollers 7 forming a regular array as viewed in plan in Figure 1, with successive longitudinally spaced rollers being offset to form a pattern of generally diagonally disposed lines of rollers. The rollers are mounted in transverse rows on five parallel steel spindles 10 extending between the walls 3 of the frame, and maintained spaced apart on each spindle by cylindrical spacers 9, each of the spacers 9 and the rollers 7 being independently rotatable on each of the spindles. Three of the spindles each bear four rollers 7 and alternate with two spindles which each bear three rollers 7 and two half-width rollers 8 at each end. The spindles do not lie in a common plane but are arranged to form the arched profile best seen in Figure 2.The rollers 7 have a diameter of 1.125 inch (28.6 mm).

Opposite end portions of the spindles 10 are located in the frame 1 in apertures 11 (Figure 4) in inner faces of the side walls 3. Leading down to each aperture 11 is a ramp face 12 at the back of an upright slot 13 in the side walls. The slot 13 is of a suitable width to receive a spindle end portion.

Portions of the walls 3, providing end portions of the ramp faces immediately above the apertures 11, form snap-over shoulders over which the spindles must be pushed to engage in the apertures 11. The side walls 3 have sufficient resilience to permit the spindles, in assembly of the device, to be pressed down the slots 13, sliding against the ramp faces 12, and snapped into place in the apertures 11. The apertures 11 open into vertical passages 14 through the side walls, the passages terminating at apertures 15 in the lowerface of the base.

Rubber pads may be secured to the flat lower face of the base 2, to prevent the device sliding around in use on a floor. The arched profile of the device allows the sole of the foot to be drawn in comfort repeatedly back and forth over the rollers, with rotation of the rollers, to massage the foot.

1. A foot massaging and exercising device comprising an arched bed of rollers over which the sole of the foot can be drawn repeatedly back and forth with rotation of the rollers.

2. A device according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of such rollers which are spaced apart both longitudinally and transversely of the device.

3. A device according to claim 2 in which successive longitudinally spaced rollers are transversely offset.

4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in which said rollers are of an axially rounded form.

5. A device according to claim 4 in which said rollers are substantially spherical.

6. A device according to claim 5 in which said rollers have a diameter within the range of 0.75 inch (19.05 mm) to 1.5 inch (38 mm).

7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims in which said rollers are arranged in a plurality of transversely extending rows.

8. A device according to claim 7 in which the rollers in each row are mounted on a common spindle.

9. A device according to claim 8 in which the rollers on each spindle are independently rotatable.

10. A device according to either of claims 8 and 9 in which the spindles extend between upstanding side walls of a frame of the device, opposite end portions of the spindles being located in apertures in innerfaces of the walls.

11. A device according to claim 10 in which leading down to each aperture is a ramp at the back of an upright slot in the wall, a portion of the wall which provides an end portion of the ramp face immediately above the aperture forming a snap-over shoulder over which a spindle must be pushed to engage in the aperture in assembly of the device.

12. A device according to either of claims 10 and 11 in which said frame is moulded in one piece of a

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Foot massaging and exercising device The invention is concerned with inprovements in or relating to foot massaging and exercising devices, and in one of its aspects provides such a device comprising an arched bed of rollers over which the sole of the foot can be drawn repeatedly back and forth with rotation of the rollers. In this way the foot can be massaged and both the foot and the leg exercised. In a preferred embodiment the device comprises a plurality of rollers, to be contacted by the foot, which are spaced apart both longitudinally and transversely of the device. Successive longitudinally spaced rollers are preferably offset. The rollers are preferably of an axially rounded form, and most preferably are spherical, or approximately spherical, with a diameter within the range 0.75 inch (19.05 mm) to 1.5 inch (38 mm). The rollers may be arranged in a plurality of transversely extending rows. Conveniently the rollers in each row may be mounted on a common spindle, and the rollers on each spindle are preferably independently rotatable. One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which Figure lisa plan view of a foot massaging and exercising device according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the device shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 3 is fronft view of the device of Figures 1, 2 and 3 shown partly in cross section; and Figure 4 is part of a cross sectional view on line IV-IV of Figure 3, but with a spindle removed. The Figures show a foot massaging and exercising device which comprises a frame 1 moulded in one piece of a plastics material and having a base 2 and upstanding side walls 3. The base has a flat lower surface and is approximately square, and the side walls extend along opposite edges of the base. In order to save material, the base has an aperture 4 surrounded by an upstanding lip 5, and the base is strengthened by two transverse moulded ribs 6. Within the frame 1, mounted between the side walls 3, is arranged an arched bed of rollers in the form of axially rounded, generally spherical, rollers 7 forming a regular array as viewed in plan in Figure 1, with successive longitudinally spaced rollers being offset to form a pattern of generally diagonally disposed lines of rollers. The rollers are mounted in transverse rows on five parallel steel spindles 10 extending between the walls 3 of the frame, and maintained spaced apart on each spindle by cylindrical spacers 9, each of the spacers 9 and the rollers 7 being independently rotatable on each of the spindles. Three of the spindles each bear four rollers 7 and alternate with two spindles which each bear three rollers 7 and two half-width rollers 8 at each end. The spindles do not lie in a common plane but are arranged to form the arched profile best seen in Figure 2.The rollers 7 have a diameter of 1.125 inch (28.6 mm). Opposite end portions of the spindles 10 are located in the frame 1 in apertures 11 (Figure 4) in inner faces of the side walls 3. Leading down to each aperture 11 is a ramp face 12 at the back of an upright slot 13 in the side walls. The slot 13 is of a suitable width to receive a spindle end portion. Portions of the walls 3, providing end portions of the ramp faces immediately above the apertures 11, form snap-over shoulders over which the spindles must be pushed to engage in the apertures 11. The side walls 3 have sufficient resilience to permit the spindles, in assembly of the device, to be pressed down the slots 13, sliding against the ramp faces 12, and snapped into place in the apertures 11. The apertures 11 open into vertical passages 14 through the side walls, the passages terminating at apertures 15 in the lowerface of the base. Rubber pads may be secured to the flat lower face of the base 2, to prevent the device sliding around in use on a floor. The arched profile of the device allows the sole of the foot to be drawn in comfort repeatedly back and forth over the rollers, with rotation of the rollers, to massage the foot. CLAIMS

12. A device according to either of claims 10 and 11 in which said frame is moulded in one piece of a plastics material.

13. Afoot massaging and exercising device constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.