GB2168258A - Water-filled massaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

A massaging device comprises a liquid-flied pillow (1) for conforming to irregular body surfaces detachably connected to a source of vibration, e.g. an inclined platform having a vibrating motor secured to the underside of the platform. Alternatively a pliable container having fastening means for attachment to the body is connected to a vibrating motor means. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Water-filled massaging device BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to massaging devices. More particularly, it concerns massage devices that employ a fluid medium confined in a pliable container in combination with a vibrator to impart vibrations to the body. It is especially concerned with devices of the aforesaid character which are adapted to conform to the irregularities on the body parts or the shape of the body parts that are to be massaged.

Description of the Prior Art Massage devices for imparting vibrations to various portions of the human body for the purpose of stimulating the flow of blood in a certain area and for the purpose of relaxing tired muscles are well known and may take a variety of forms. One form of massaging devices is shown in U.S. Patent No.

4,396,011, assigned to the common assignee hereof, which discloses a vibrating electric heating pad. In this device a heating pad is wrapped around a selected portion of the body and the vibrator is attachable to various portions of the heating pad.

It is also known in the prior art to impart vibrations to various items of furniture (as shown in U.S.

Patent Nd. 4,105,024) as well as footstools (as shown in U.S. Patent No. 2,694,394). In addition, it is known to impart vibrations to a water bed as shown, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 3,872,526.

However, there are no known prior art devices which utilize water-filled or liquid-filled pliable containers to conform to body irregularities or body parts used in conjunction with vibrators.

The prior art also shows that it is old to provide hollow pillows which may be filled with air or water (either warm or cold). These pillows capable of being manufactured in a wide variety of shapes including a relatively flat pillow having a plurality of weld spots joining the opposite faces.

U.S. Patent 3,853,121 discloses a device for applying vibrations via a water filled cushion to the legs during surgery. In this case, however, an elaborate pulsating generator is employed which is designed to push the fluid in the cushion in a periodic manner.

There is, however, no prior art structure capable of simply and inexpensively imparting vibrations to the body through a water-filled pliable container. In particular, there is no known structure disclosing a pliable water-filled container such as a water bag able to conform to various body irregularities, for example, able to be wrapped around elbows or knees, and simultaneously able to be connected to a vibrator. The vibrating footstool disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 2,694,394 does not conform to body irregularities because it does not include any water or liquid-filled medium interposed between the vibrating motor and body.

The aforementioned U.S. Patent No.3,853,121 disclosing an apparatus intended for use on patients during surgery is a complex device which is not able to be wrapped around a body portion (so the waterfilled bag entirely surrounds the body portion).

Moreover, as distinguished from the present invention it employs a complex pulsation unit for imparting vibrations to the liquid within the cushion.

Consequently, there is a need for a simple inexpensive water massaging device which may be easily used by consumers in the privacy of their own home.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a water massaging device able to conform to body irregularities while simultaneously able to be attached to a vibrator for imparting vibrations to selected portions of the body.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a water massaging device able to be wrapped around a selected body portion.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a foot massaging device utilizing a water-filled cushion for imparting vibrations to the body from a vibrating motor.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a foot massaging device having an arch support structure where one size fits all foot sizes and all arch heights.

SUMMARYOFTHE INVENTION These and other objects of this invention are achieved by a massage apparatus comprising a substantially flat plate, a vibrating motor secured to one side if said flat plate for imparting vibrations thereto, said motor being connected to a source of power, and a pliable container containing fluid (said container being preferably a substantially inflatable bag) placed on the other side of said flat plate for transmitting vibrations of said flat plate to a body in contact with said fluid containing container.In an alternative form of this invention, the massage apparatus comprises a pliable inflatable bag adapted to be placed in contact with a portion of the human body, fastening means for securing said bag to maintain it in a desired position relative to the body and a vibrating motor means adapted to being attached to said bag for imparting vibrations thereto and means for attaching said motorto said bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein the same numerals refer to the same structure in the various views.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a water pillow embodied in the present invention showing the pillow mounted on the vibrating platform; Fig. 2 is an assembly view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 as seen from the rear, the water pillow being shown separated from the vibrating platform.

Fig. 3 is a perspective assembly view illustrating another embodiment of the present invention, the water pillow being shown with a central aperture to accommodate the motor mounted on the vibrating platform; Fig. 4 is an assembly view of another embodiment of this invention provided with a carrying handle; Fig 5 is a front elevation of the device shown in Fig. 4 illustrating the mannerfor hand carrying the device of Fig. 4; Fig. is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention illustrating its application to a device useful in massaging muscles; Fig. SB is a profile view of the arrangement shown in Figure 6A.

Fig. 7 is a partial cross sectional view of another modification of this invention illustrating the use of a foot bootwhich may be used in conjunction with a plate vibrator.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 the massage apparatus is shown generally at 2 and is provided with the pliable pillow 1 that may be made of any suitable pliable or inflatable material. It has been found that pillows fabricated from pliable vinyl resins are quite suitable forthe purposes of this invention. Pillow 1 is provided with a screw cap 3 that can be unscrewed to uncoveran opening in the pillowthroughwhich it may be filled with any suitable fluid such as water.

Pillow 1 has at its rear margin aflap 5 win which is cut a U-shaped slit 7. That latter is used to secure pillow 1 to vibrating platform in a manner described in more detail below.

Pillow 1 is formed as an enclosed structure by means of heat sealing techniques well known to those skilled in this art. However, to maintain the pillow in its flat position, a plurality of weld spots 4 are applied which weld the top and bottom surfaces of pillow 1 together at the weld spots are arranged in a pattern generally in the shape of a human foot.

The vibrating platform is best shown in Fig. 2. As is clearfrom the drawings, we are viewing the device shown in Fig. 1 which has been rotated around an axis substantially perpendiculartothe plane of pillow 1. Secured to vibrating platform 9 is motor housing 11. The motor contained in said housing 11 serves to vibrate platform 9. Extending from the rear margin of vibrating platform 9 there is provided a handle hook 13 which serves to engage slit7 in flap 5 of pillow 1 when the latter is mounted on vibrating platform 9. The motor housing 11 also aids in retaining the pillow on the platform. Additionally, frictional contact between the platform and the pillow, depending upontherelativematerials,also aids in preventing the pillowfrom sliding on the platform.Therefore, it will be understood that platform 9may betotallyflatwith the motor housing 11 mounted on the lowersurface ofthe platform.

Extending downwardlyfrom beneath the lower surface of vibrating platform 9 is afoldablewireform stand 15. This can be folded inwardlywhen it is desired to store the device. When the massaging device isto be utilized wire stand 15 is folded outwardly. In this position, the massager 2 takes the form of an inclined plane which enables the userto place hisfooton the massager in a comfortable fashion.

The motorcontained in motor housing 11 is connected to an electric source by means of electric cord 17. When not in use, electric cord 17 can be wound around cord wrap 19forstorage.

In the modification of this invention shown in Fig. 3 the water pillow 20 is constructed in a fashion similar to pillow 1 shown in Fig. 1 and 2. In this instance, however, no screw cap is provided for access to the interior of pillow 20. Because ofthis, the pillow is prefilled with liquid. Water pillow 20 is provided with a central opening 21 that sits over and accommodates motor housing 23. The circumference of opening 21 is sealed so that no fluid can escape from inside the pillow. Extending upwardly from vibrator platform 25 ofthe modification shown in Fig. 3 and at itsfront margin is a stop 27. This assists in holding pillow 19 in place when the latter is placed onto platform 25.

The modification shown in Fig. 4 is similartothat shown in the other modification, but in this casethe massage unit is provided with a carrying handle 29.

Fig. 5 shows the appearance of the massager of Fig. 4 when assembled for carrying purposes. Itwill be understood that slit7 may be used as a handle depending upon the firmness offlap 5.

The modification of this invention shown in Figs.

6A, 6B illustrates its use as a massagerforapplication to the back muscles. In this instance, a waterfilled flat bladder 31 is designed as a yoke so that it may fit around the neck of the user and onto his shoulders as shown in Figs. 6A, 6B. As in other modifications bladder 31 is filled with a fluid like water. Avibrator module 33 is secured to bladder 31 in any suitable fashion. For example, if bladder31 had a surface of velcro compatible hook material a velcro strip on the module 33 would enable the module to be placed anywhere on the bladder. A plate 35 forming part of the vibratory module 33 contacts bladder 31 and serves to convey the vibrations from module 33to bladder 31.Afilling port 37 is provided so thatwater or any other suitable fluid may be filled into bladder 31. Filling port37 is also provided with a suitable closure.

As indicated above, bladder 31 takes the form of a yoke that can be placed over the user's head. In one use of this modification, the yoke is placed overthe head before the water is filled into the bladder. This avoids the need for handling the filled bladder which might be somewhat excessive in weight. This arrangement is particularly suitable for massaging the trapezius muscle. The invention may also take the form of a water-filled bag of varying shapes to bring it into contact with various other muscles. It may also taketheform of an extended longitudinal pillow here the two ends may be connected together by velcro, for example.

In a modification of this invention shown in Fig.7 there is provided a foot comforterwhich vibrates and into which a foot may be placed like a slipper. In this case, a pillow 39 is filled with a liquid such as water and is placed at the bottom of the boot 41. As an auxiliaryfeature, a heater 43 is also inserted into the boot and is encased within insulation 40. Boot 41 could be a single ora double chamber device to accommodate one foot ortwo feet at the same time.

Avibrator mechanism (not shown) similarto that shown in the other embodiments ofthis invention may be employed in conjunction with boot 41.

The massaging unit ofthe present invention may be used in massaging other body parts such as arms, knees, elbows, legs, etc. In these cases a flat bladder similarto bladder 31 is fashioned to fit one or several of the parts that are to be massaged. These bladders are then wrapped around and secured in place in any suitable fashion. As in the other modifications, these bladders will also be filled with a fluid like water. In these cases also the bladders may be prefilled with a fluid or filled with fluid after the bladder has been applied. A vibrator like the vibratory module 33 is then applied to the filled bladder to massage the part encompassed in the bladder.

The various modifications of this invention described above including the pillow constructions as well as the bladder and boot construction because of the pliability of the materials from which they are constructed can accommodate the irregularity of the body construction or body parts.

Because of this feature, when used as a foot massaging device, these elements will conform to the shape of the foot and provide an arch support.

Also, because of this feature, these elements will also fit all foot sizes and arch heights.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and improvements may be made to the embodiments of the intention disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Claims (12)

1.A A massage apparatus comprising: a substantially flat plate; a vibrating motor secured to one side of said flat plate for imparting vibrations thereto, said motor being adapted to be connected to a source of power; a pliable container adapted to be filled with fluid placed on the other side of said flat plate for transmitting vibrations of said flat plate to a body in contact with said pliable container.

2. An apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said pliable container takes the form of a pillow having top and bottom surfaces.

3. An apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein said pillow is provided with a plurality of weld spots connecting said bottom and top pillow surfaces.

4. An apparatus according to Claim 3 wherein said weld spots are arranged in a pattern generally in the shape of a human foot.

5. An apparatus according to any of claims 1-4 wherein said flat plate is provided with a central portion raised above the plane of the plate, said central portion for receiving therein, from said one side of said flat plate, said vibrating motor.

6. An apparatus according to any of claims 1-5 wherein a foldable wire stand is provided extending downwardly from said substantially flat plate, whereby said apparatus may be erected to form an inclined plane.

7. An apparatus according to any of claims 1-6 wherein a carrying handle is secured to said apparatus.

8. A massage apparatus comprising: a pliable inflatable container adapted to be filled with fluid and for being placed in contact with a portion of the human body; fastening means for securing said container to maintain it in a desired position relative to the body; vibrating motor means adapted to be attached to said container for imparting vibrations thereto; and means for attaching said vibrating motor means to said container.

9. An apparatus according to Claim 8 wherein said pliable container takes the form of substantially flat inflatable bag, said bag being adapted to encompass a body part to which a massage is to be applied.

10. An apparatus according to Claim 8wherein said pliable container takes the form of a yoke that may be slipped over the user's head and rested on the shoulders of the user.

11. An apparatus according to Claim 8 wherein said pliable container takes the form of a boot into which at least one human foot may be slipped.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 8, substantially as described with reference to any Figure or Figures of the accompanying drawings.