GB2171602A - A roller massaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

A massaging device comprises a base member (2); an upper portion (4) supported by said base member, said upper portion defining at least one body support portion; a main drive shaft (28); drive means for rotating said main drive shaft, and a plurality of roller members (18, 20, 22) operatively associated with said main drive shaft for orbital movement therearound responsive to rotation of said main drive shaft. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to a massaging device This invention relates to a massaging device.

The beneficial aspects of massage as applied to the human body have been known for many years.

With respect to various muscular body ailments, as well as neurological ailments and skeletal problems, the beneficial effects of manipulation and massage administered by a skilled practitioner, such as a chiropractor, have long been known.

Various mechanical devices for providing massage are known. In general, such mechanical devices contemplate a hand-held unit having an electrically energised motor which creates movement of portions of the device which are adapted to come into contact with the human body. See, for example, US--AA-2,003,272; US-A-2,384,427; US-A-2,629,374; US-A-3,297,024 and US-A-4,127,i 16.

In general, such devices, while perhaps suitable for limited use in connection with local massage of particular muscle regions which are readily accessible by an individual employing a hand-held device, these devices have not been suited for use on less accessible regions, such as the rear of an individual's head, the rear of the neck or cervical spine regions without the assistance of a third party. Massage of these less accessible regions can be of particular concern in respect of relief from extracranial headaches which are, to a great extent, triggered by muscular tension in the rear neck region.

Thus, there remains a very real and substantial need for a massaging device which is adapted to enable less readily accessible parts of the body to be massaged in an appropriate way.

It is an object of the invention to meet the above-described need.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a massaging device comprising a base member; an upper portion supported by said base member, said upper portion defining at least one body support portion; a main drive shaft; drive means for rotating said main drive shaft, and a plurality of roller members operatively associated with said main drive shaft for orbital movement therearound responsive to rotation of said main drive shaft.

Thus, in a preferred embodiment, a user is provided with a self-supporting automated massage device which is adjustable in order that the individual may assume a prone position with the head and adjacent body portion supported in a comfortable fashion with the massaging device engaging, for example, the rear neck portion to an extent which may also be adjustable.

Preferably, the roller members are disposed adjacent to and preferably between a pair of body support portions and are adapted to be positively driven in an orbiting path about a main drive shaft. Adjustment means permit ready adjustment of spacing between the body support portions.

Additional adjustment means permit adjustment of the relative height of the body support portions with respect to the base member, which preferably supports the roller assembly.

The present invention has been found to provide an improved, automated massaging device which may readily be employed by an individual without the assistance of others.

The massaging device is adjustable for maximum comfort of an individual using the device, as well as maximum efficiency of the massaging action.

The invention has also been found to provide a self-supporting automated massaging device which is readily adapted to provide massaging action to the cervical spine regions of the human body.

Such massaging devices have been found to be economical to manufacture and simple to employ and maintain.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and so that further features thereof may be appreciated embodiments of massage devices of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a partially schematic plan view of a massage device of the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view, partially schematic, of the massage device of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary end elevation of one form of roller member assembly usable in the device of Figure 1; FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view of the roller drive assembly of Figure 3; FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional illustration showing one form of adjustment means usable in a device of the present invention; FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of a modified embodiment of a massage device invention;; FIGURE 7 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of another embodiment of a massage device of the invention; and FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 7.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, a massaging device of the present invention comprises a base member 2 which has a substantially flat lower surface in order that it may rest on a floor or other suitable supporting member. An upper portion 4, to be described in greater detail hereinafter, cooperates with and rests upon the base member 2. It is contemplated that the massaging device of the present invention, when in use, will be suitably positioned on a supporting surface and an individual may then place his or her cervical spine or rear neck portion or other portion of the body in suitable relationship to the supporting surfaces and roller members so as to achieve the desired massaging action.

A pair of spaced body supporting portions are provided on the base 2. The body supporting portions each comprise, respectively, a substantially rigid lower portion 6, 10 and an overlying generally resilient portion 8, 12 to which the respective base portion 6,10 is secured.

Massaging means, such as cooperating roller members, to be described in detail hereinafter, are provided between the spaced apart supporting portions 6,10. In thisfashion, with appropriate spacing, an individual may place a portion ofthe rear ofthe head on one ofthe support portions, portion 12, for example, with the rear ofthe neck orthe cervical region ofthe spine positioned adjacentthe rollers and an appropriate portion ofthetorso supported on the othersupport portion 8,sothat when rotation ofthe roller members is initiated, this will provide the desired massaging action to the rear of the neck or cervical spine. The resilienceofthe support portions 8, 12 ensures comfortable support during massaging.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the massaging device comprises three roller members 18,20,22 which are adapted to contactthe desired body portion. For some uses it may be desired to coverthe roller portions with a suitable web, for example of a rubber orvinyl material (not shown), orto interpose such a web between the rollers and the body. Thus, the term "contact" as used herein when referring to contact between the human body and a roller is intended to include direct or indirect contact.

It will also be appreciated that any desired number of rollers may be employed, with from two or seven being preferred.

The rollers 18,20,22 are supported on roller shafts 42,46,44, respectively, opposed ends ofthe shafts being rotatably mounted in apex retions of a pair of spaced apart generallytriangular plates 30,32. A main drive shaft 28, that is parallel to the rollershafts 42,44 and 46, passes through the centre axis of each triangular plate 30,32 and is fixed relative to the plates by a suitable key such that rotation of the main drive shaft 28 will effect responsive rotation ofthe plates 30,32 and orbital movement ofthe rollers 18, 20,22 abouttheshaft 28.

The rollers 18,20,22 are fixedly secured to their respective shafts 42, 46, 44and the shafts are rotatablyjournaled within openings in the plates 30, 32. As a result, rotation of the main drive shaft 28 will create both orbital movementofthe rollers 18,20,22 about the central longitudinal axis of shaft 28, and rotational movement ofthe roller members 18,20,22 aboutthe axes ofthe shafts42,46,44. Alternatively, the roller members 18,20,22 may be rotatably mounted on the respective shafts 42,46,44. Itwiil be appreciated therefore, that rotational movement of the main drive shaft 28 effects both orbital and axial rotation ofthe rollers 18,20,22.This provides for soothing massaging contact with the cervical spine or rear neck regions thereby relieving muscle tension and tending to eliminate muscular and extracranial headache discomfort. Reliefto other portions ofthe body may also be provided through contact with the rotating rollers 18,20,22.

Any convenient means may be employed to secure the plates 30,32 to the shafts 43, 46, 44. For example, the ends ofthe roller shafts may be threaded, nuts being used to securethe shafts in the plates. For example, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, nuts 60,66 secure the shaft 46to the plates 30,32; nuts 64,68 secure shaft 44 to the plates 30,32 and nuts 62,63 secure shaft42 to plates 30 and 32. Itwill be appreciated that other means forsecuring the shafts 42,44, 46to plates 30,32 may be employed. For example, circumferential grooves in the shafts may be engaged by enlarged, horseshoe-shaped, resilient clip members.

The main shaft 28 may be supported for rotation using any suitable support means, which may advantageously be secured to the base member2 and project upwardly therefrom. Such support means will typically contain journals to secure and support end portions of main drive shaft 28. For clarity of illustration these have not been shown in the drawings, but may consist merely of suitable bearings which are supported bypostorcolumn members rigidly secured to the base member 2. Such bearing members are indicated schematically by the numerals 80,82 in Figure 4.

The main drive shaft is rotatably driven byan electric motor 34, of suitable output capacity, having an output shaft 36 fixedly secured to a gear cog 38 which in turn meshes with gear cog 40 which is fixedly secured to main drive shaft 28. The output of the motor 34 may be used to rotate the main drive shaft 28 with any desired speed reduction being effected. Suitable switch means (not shown) are employed to initiate and terminate operation of the device by energizing and deenergizingthe motor34.

In orderto provideformaximum comfort and efficiency of use, first adjustment means, which permit adjustment of the relative spacing between body support portions 6,8 and 10, are provided. In orderto achieve this desired adjustment, the lower support portions 6, 10 are mounted, on either side of the base member 2, on respective ones of two pairs of cooperating side members 70,74,72,76. The side members 70,74 are generally channel shaped and have re-entrantflanges and a series of holes 84. The side members 72, 76 are ofgenerallythe same shape, respectively, as members 70,74.The side member72 is telescopingly received within the side member70 and, likewise, side member 76 istelescopingly received within side member 74.The side members 70,74 are fixedly secured to the lower support portion 6 and the side members 72,76 are fixedly secured to the lower support portion 10.Thus,itwill be appreciated that by aligning a hole 84 of each side member 70, 74 with a hole 86 of each side member 72,76 and inserting a removable peg-like element 88, the relative spacing between the uppersupport portions 8, may be established at predetermined desired increments. If desired, the holes 84,86 may be provided on only one side ofthe device ora single hole in lieu of a series may be provided on one ofthe two telescoping members. Other means of maintaining the adjusted position may be employed, if desired. For example, the members 70,74 may be provided with an integral, deformable tab which may be deformed into an opening such as a hole 86. Also, while the channel-shaped side members 70,72,74, 76 have been shown with their openings facing generally inwardly, the openings may face downwardly or outwardly, if desired.

As the upper support portions 8,12 are, preferably, generally resilient and the roller assembly is fixedly secured with respect to the base member 2, it is preferred to provide second adjustment means in order to adjust the height of the upper support members 8, 12 with respect to base member 2 thereby controlling the depth of penetration or contact between the rollers 18,20,22 with the overlying body portion. As best shown in Figure 2, foot members 100, 102 project downwardly from the support portions 6, 10 to rest on the upper surface of the base member 2.Upper parts of each foot member 100, 102 are substantially cylindrically shaped, are externally threaded and received respectively, within threaded bores 104, 106 formed within the support portions 6, 10. Similar feet and threaded bores are provided in connection with the each end of the support portions 6, 10 in order to provide a total of four such feet adjustably supporting the upper portion 4. By appropriately rotating each foot within its associated bore the extent of downward projection of the foot may be controlled to determine the position ofthe upper surface of upper support members 8, 12.

In orderto minimize the likelihood of undesired relative lateral movement of the upper portion 3 on the base member 2, a series of upwardly projecting, elongate members, in the form of ribs 120, 122 spaced at a distance slightly greater than the width of each foot 100, serve to confine the foot 100 within this region. Similarly ribs 126,128 confine foot 102.

Similar ribs are provided in connection with the other two feet (not shown in these figures). Should it be desired to move the body support portions 8, 12 to a relatively closer position, each foot may be placed between ribs 122, and/or foot 102 may be moved to a position between ribs 126, 130.

Still referring to Figures 1 and 2, upwardly projecting walls 90, 92 are secured to the base member 2 and serve to resist further undesired lateral movement of the upper portion 4 with respect to base member 2 and to resist undesired contact between the user and the internal moving parts of the device. Similar walls (not shown) may be provided on extensions of the base member 2 adjacent sidewalls, 70,72,74,76.

Figure 6, illustrates a modified embodiment of the invention incorporating several modified features, any one of which may be employed alone or in combination with one or more features of the hereinbefore-discussed embodiment. In the embodiment of Figure 6, body support portions 150, 152 are positioned in relative fixed'relationship with respect to each other. Peripheral upstanding walls 142, 144, 146, 148, which may be similar in width and height to walls 90,92 ofthe previous embodiment, are positioned on four sides of base 140.Relative vertical adjustment between the base 140 and the upper surface of the body support portions 150,152 is provided by feet 160,172,176, 178 which have upwardly projecting shank portions, respectively, 162,171,174,180. In this embodiment ratherthan relying on a pair of generally parallel ribs to resist undesired movement of the feet, each foot is enclosed by a series of four upwardly projecting ribs oriented in generally box-like configuration. For example, foot 160 is surrounded by ribs 164, 166, 168, 170. Similar rib constructions are provided with respect to the other feet 172, 176, 178.

In this embodiment, a motor 200 is directly coupled to a main drive shaft 202 which establishes, through plates 204, 206, which are fixedly secured to drive shaft 202, both orbital and axial rotation of rollers 210,212.

The rollers 210,21-2 are provided, respectively, with radially reduced circumferential portions 216, 214. This contour serves to compliment more closely the shape of the rear neck portion of the human body.

While the invention may be employed with a wide variety of materials, the rollers may advantageously be composed of a suitable rubber or plastics material or any other material having a suitable rubber or plastics exterior covering. The plate members may advantageously be made of steel and be welded to the main drive shaft. It will be appreciated that while, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plates illustrated are employed in connecting the main drive shaft to the roller shafts, other means of effecting this transfer of rotationai movement may be employed. For example, gear means may be attached to the main drive shaft and cooperate with gear means secured to the roller member drive shaft. Alternatively, for example, belt and pulley or chain and sprocket drives may be employed.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the base member, composed of a suitable material, has a length of about 10 inches (255 mm) and a width of about 81 inches (215 mm). In this example, the base is made of steel having a thickness of about 1/8 to 3/ 16 inch (3 to 5 mm) and has the main drive shaft support and peripheral walls secured thereto. The body support (or head rest) portions consist of foam rubber pads 8 inches (205 mm) long by 2 inches (50 mm) wide by 141 inches (30 mm) high, with a lower portion of the supports being made of wood of the same dimensions. The adjustable side members, which determine the relative spacing between the two body support portions, are made of metal channels. The roller members are 5 inches (130 mm) long and 1 inch (25.5 mm) in diameter with the main drive shaft having a diameter of approximately 3/ 8 inch (9 mm). The head rest members or rollers or both may be covered by a plastics or rubber sheet or an accessory pad approximately 4 inch (6 mm) thick having a foam rubber interior and a vinyl exterior for increased comfort.

A further embodiment of a massage device of the invention is shown in Figures 7 and 8. The massage device has a base member 230 formed from a substantially rigid plate, and has on one-side an upstanding sidewall 232 and on the other side a motor housing 234. The motor housing 234 has a number of ventilation plates 236,238 each of which has a plurality of openings 240 to permit air flow to cool the motor. The motor has an output shaft 250 which is connected to a main drive shaft 252 by suitable coupling means 254 in order to permit direct drive of the shaft 252 by the motor (not shown). Roller members 260, 262 are supported by plates 264,266.In this embodiment a body support portion 270 is formed by a flexible web, which may advantageously be made of a plastics or rubber material, with or without a resiliently compressible material, which overlies the roller members 260, 262 and is secured in place by snap member 272,274, cooperating respectively with the motor housing 234 and the side wall 232. The body of the user will generally be oriented perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the roller members 260, 262.

Circle 276 represents a portion of a human body in overlying contact with the support portion 270 while the roller member 260 contacts the undersurface thereof. Rotation of the rollers 260,262 about the axis defined bythe main shaft 252, upon operation of the motor, will thus act to massage the body portion of a user that is resting upon the body support portion 270.

In this embodiment, as well as the others, a variable speed control may be employed, if desired.

Itwill be appreciated, therefore, that the present invention provides effective means for an individual to self-administer mechanized massage to regions of the body which may be difficult to reach under normal conditions employing prior art constructions. More specifically, one of the advantageous uses of the present invention involves placing the body in such position to enable the rollers to apply massaging action in orderto relieve muscular tension and vascular irritation in the cervical spine region or rear neck. All of this is accomplished in a safe, efficient and economical manner.

Claims (23)

1.A A massaging device comprising a base member; an upper portion supported by said base member, said upper portion defining at least one body support portion; a main drive shaft; drive means for rotating said main drive shaft, and a plurality of roller members operatively associated with said main drive shaft for orbital movement therearound responsive to rotation of said main drive shaft.

2. A massaging device according to Claim 1, wherein said upper portion comprises a pair of spaced-apart body support portions.

3. A massaging device according to Claim 2, wherein said pair of spaced-apart body support portions are disposed on opposite sides of said roller members.

4. A massaging device according to Claim 2 or 3, further comprising first adjustment means for varying the spacing between the said body support portions.

5. A massaging device according to Claim 4, wherein said first adjustment means comprises means for relative positioning of said body support members at discreet relative positions.

6. A massaging device according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, wherein said rollers are so disposed as to permit one of said body support portions to support a portion of a human head and a second one of said support portions to support another portion of a user's body and to expose a portion of the user's cervical spine to contact with said roller members.

7. A massaging device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein said body support portion has a substantially rigid base portion and a generally resilient upper portion.

8. A massaging device according to anyone of Claims 2 to 7, further comprising second adjustment meansfor permitting relative vertical adjustment between said base member and said body support portions.

9. A massaging device according to Claim 1, wherein said second adjustment means comprises threaded feet received within threaded bores of said body support members.

10. A massaging device according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, further comprising plate means rigidly secured to said main drive shaft, said roller members being rotatably secured to said plate means, whereby rotation of said main shaft will establish rotation of said plate with said shaft and cause responsive orbital movement of said roller members about said main drive shaft.

11. A massaging device according to Claim 10, wherein each said roller member is fixedly mounted about a roller member shaft, said roller member shafts being rotatably secured to said plate means.

12. A massaging device according to Claim 10, wherein each said roller member is disposed for rotation about a roller member shaft.

13. A massaging device according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein said roller members has at least one portion of radially restricted circumference.

14. A massaging device according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, wherein said base member has upwardly projecting retainer wall means for resisting undesired displacement of said upper portion with respect to said base member.

15. A massaging device according to any one of Claims 1 to 14, further comprising speed reduction means interposed between said drive means and said main drive shaft.

16. A massaging device according to any one of Claims 1 to 15, further comprising cover means in overlying contact with respect to said roller members.

17. A massaging device according to any one of Claims 1 to 16, wherein said body support portion has a flexible web in overlying position with respect to said roller members.

18. A massaging device according to Claim 17, wherein said base member has a sidewall and a motor housing and said body support portion is removably secured to said base member.

19. A massaging device according to any one of Claims 1 to 18, wherein said body support portion comprises a pair of plastics skin portions and an interposed resiliently compressible material.

20. A massage device substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in Figures 1 to 5 ofthe accompanying drawings.

21. A massage device substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.

22. A massage device substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.

23. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.