GB2186489A

GB2186489A - Hand-held massage implements

Info

Publication number: GB2186489A
Application number: GB08603973A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hak Je Kim
Original assignee: Ji Hyun Chung
Current assignee: Ji Hyun Chung
Priority date: 1986-02-18
Filing date: 1986-02-18
Publication date: 1987-08-19
Also published as: GB8603973D0

Abstract

A hand-held massage implement 1 has a flexible central shaft 6 and a plurality of generally ring-shaped members 3 mounted coaxially thereon with the shaft 6 extending through a centre hole 7 in each of the members 3. Each of the members 3 has a plurality of uniform length cylindrical projections 5 positioned about an outer circumferential surface 2 of the member 3 at regular circumferential intervals. The projections 5 project perpendicularly outward therefrom. A pair of circular end plates 4 is positioned on the shaft 6 and clips 10 prevent axially outward movement of the end plates 4 to maintain the ring-shaped members 3 positioned coaxially therebetween. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Hand-held massage implements The present invention is concerned with hand-held massage implements.

Various forms of massage implements including finger-pressure implements have been in use. However, major problems are thatthey are cumbersome and complex in construction and hard to handle and carry. Various ways have been tried to overcome these problems. For example, Korean Utility Model Publication No. 357/1975 discloses a finger-pressure implement comprising fitting pressing balls of bending end portions on the upper and lower end of a bar.

An object of the present invention is to provide z hand-held massage implement which has simple construction and can effectively massage the physical body regions by operating the massage imple mentwith the fingers and the palm.

In accordance with the present invention, a handheld massage implement comprises: a flexible centre shaft; a plurality of generally ring-shaped members substantiallycoaxially mounted on said shaft with said shaft extending through a centre hole in each of said members, each of said members having a plurality of uniform length projections, said projections being positioned about an outer circumferential surface of said member at substantially regular circumferential intervals and projecting outwardly therefrom; and a pairofend plates attached to said shaft to locate said memberstherebetween.

It isthe projections which primarily stimulate the desiredareasofthebodyduring useoftheimplement.

The projections may be made of nontoxic synthetic resins such as ABS or offerromagnetic materials (chemical formula X Fe204: X means bivalent metallic ions) by compression moulding integrally with said members. When the implement is assembled from ring-shaped members of nontoxic ABS resin,the implement may be used as a substitute for a needle in acupuncture. When the implement is assembled from ring-shaped members offerromagnetic material, the implement may also give improved circulation ofthe blood by the production of magnetism. The members of nontoxic ABS resin and offerromagnetic material may be mounted alter nately on said shaft.

Thefull length ofthe massage implement may be divided into two parts. Such a massage implement may be provided with a plurality of ring-shaped members with relatively long projections on one lengthwise end portion of the centre shaft and a plurality of ring-shaped members with relatively short projections on another lengthwise end portion of the centre shaft. Such a construction having re latively longer and shorter projections is more effect ive on deep physical regions.

More generally, the stimulus maybe promoted by providing projections of different characteristics.

Preferably, said shaft normally holds said plurality of ring-shaped members together in axial alignment, but is sufficientlyyieldableto allow gaps to appear between the members with bending ofthe implement during use. Moreover, said shaft normally holds said plurality of ring-shaped members together in axial alignment, but is sufficiently yield- able to allow gaps to appear between the members with stretching ofthe implement during use. Preferably, said shaft is soft and made of a flexible synthetic rubber sold as NBR (Nitrile Butadiene Rubber).

In a preferred embodiment of a hand-held massage implement according to the present invention, there are at least fourteen of the ring-shaped members carrying projections which are substantially cylindrical. The projections have a rounded free end.

Removable means are provided for restraining said end plates against axially outward movement on said shaft. Said members and said end plates are rotatably mounted on said shaft. Said end plates have a circular axial elevation and include a cavity for receiving replaceable material which can be viewed through a transparent cover. Said removable means may be in the form of clips provided to tightlyfixthe ends of the centre shaft at the central portion of a circularfixing plate. The fixing plate has a circular advertising plate mounted thereon with a transparent plastic cover. The fixing plates, advertising plates and plastic covers together constitute the end plates.

The present invention will now be exemplified by reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure lisa perspective view of a first hand-held massage implement according to the present invention; Figure2 is a perspective view illustrating the stretching condition ofthe implement according to Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the bending condition ofthe implement according to Figure 1; Figure4isan enlargedverticalcross-sectional view of a ring-shaped member of the implementac- cording to Figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 5; and Figures 7/at, (b), (c) and (d) are views illustrating use of an implement according to the present invention on the physical body regions.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, a hand-held massage implement 1 of the present invention includes an assembly comprising a plurality of disc or ringshaped members 3 which each has, protruding from an outer perimeter surface 2 thereof, a plurality of uniform and fixed length cylindrical projections 5 circumferentially spaced at regular intervals aboutthe ring-shaped member 3, the projections 5 being arranged in a coplanarfashion.

The ring-shaped members 3 are coaxially mounted on a soft and flexible centre shaft 6 which has fixed at each of its ends a circular fixing plate 4. The shaft 6 extends through a circular centre hole 7 in each of the ring-shaped members 3. The diameter of the centre hole 7 must be at least as large as the dia meter of the shaft and the difference of the diameters should be controlled at0.5 mm. Bysuchdifference, stimuli on the physical regions may be carried out.

The ring-shaped members 3 have a sufficient number of projections 5 to stimulate a desired spot ofthe body. The projections 5 protrude perpendicularly a distance of approximately 4 mm or 5 mm high from the outersurface 2 ofthe ring-shaped member3 and are spaced apartat regularintervals of about2 mm or3 mm around the perimeterofthe outer surface of the ring-shaped member in the circumferential direction. The free ends ofthe projections 5 are round in shape. The circumference of the projections is preferably about 2.5 mm.

Such a massage implement can be stretched as shown in Figure 2when the implement 1 is extended in the axially outward right and left direction because the centre shaft 6 is soft and made flexible synthetic rubbers such as NBR (Nitrile Butadiene Rubber).

When the massage implement 1 is operated on the finger and palm bythe stretching action, the implement acts to give an effective and soft stimulus to the skin of the human body by the projections 5.

Further, when the assembly 1 is bent as allowed by theflexible centre shaft 6, a plurality of gaps are again formed between the ring-shaped members 3 as shown in Figure 3. By forming such gaps, the stimulus effect is promoted in stimulating the skin and when the implement 1 is operated on the deep physical regions it is more effective.

Figure 4 shows a vertical sectional end view of one ofthe ring-shaped members 3. Adesired numberof the ring-shaped members 3 may be assembled on the soft centre shaft 6 according to the size ofthe palm ofthe intended user. In general,the implement 1 preferably is constructed with 14to 16 ring-shaped members 3.

As shown in Figure 1,the implement 1 may be constructed with longer or shorter cylindrical projections Sforthe ring-shaped members 3. In Figure 1, one length of cylindrical projections 5 is used forthe ring-shaped members 3 on the left half portion ofthe implement 1 and relatively shorter cylindrical projections 5 are used forthe ring-shaped members 3 on the right half portion ofthe implement. Such a construction having relatively longer and shorter projections is again more effective on deep physical regions.

Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention, and the same reference numerals as used in Figure 1 are used for convenience to illustrate the same portions, but the cylindrical projections 5 on all ofthe ring-shaped members 3 ofthe implement 1 have a uniform length.

In the embodiments of both Figure 1 and Figure 5 and as best shown in Figure 6, the central portion of the circularfixing plate 4 has the centre shaft 6 extending therethrough with a clip 10 fixedly attached to the shaft end portion axially outward of the plate.

The circular fixing plate 4 has its axially outward face covered by a circular advertising plate 8. The advertising plate is covered by a transparent plastic cover 9. Avariety of advertising items may be described on the advertising plate 8.

As major members of the massage implements 1 in Figure 1 and Figure 5, the ring-shaped members3 are made of nontoxic ABS resin (Acrylonitrile Butadiene-Styrene resin) or of ferromagnetic material by compression moulding.

Aring-shaped member3madeofferromagnetic materials has N pole and S pole on the cylindrical projections 5. Accordingly, by forming a magnetic field on the projections movement for magnetism is produced. The ring-shaped member offerromagnetic materials is preferably produced in the range of 300-500 Gausses. By using such magnetism, userstreatthemselves for diseases. As a well-known fact, the haemoglobin is strongly impregnated with iron content and the iron content has strong magnetic attraction. Accordingly, when the physical body regions are brought into intimate con tactwith magnetism, the magnetism can quicken the circulation ofthe blood without side effects.

All ofthe ring-shaped members 3 ofthe implement 1 may be produced bynontoxicABSresin- compression moulding or by ferrite-compression moulding.

Further, the implement 1 may be assembled by in dependently mounting ring-shaped members 3 produced by one of the two kinds of compression moulding (nontoxicABS resin and Ferrite) on the soft centre shaft 6, or by alternately mounting any desired number of the two kinds of members on the shaft using the centre holes 7 ofthe members.

Figures 7(a), (b), (c) and (d) showthe manner of use of the implement on the physical body regions.

Figure 7(a) shows a person using the implementto massage her two palms. Figure 7(b) shows use ofthe implement to massage one side of the face. Figure 7(c) shows a person using the implement to massage her one sole with one hand. Figure 7(d) shows the implement being used to massage the waist with one hand.

The massage implements 1 are effective as a result ofthetops ofthe projections 5 pressing and stimulating the skin of the human body when the users roll the implement down the skin.

It is effective to massage a desired physical region in the range of 36 times at a fixed place in the morning and evening (example: forehead 36 times: eye 36 times).

Children (age 1 to 10) acquire a keen appetite upon getting their backbone massaged in the range of 100 times every evening.

As described above, when the implement according to the present invention is used to stimulate the physical body regions such as the top of the head, the back ofthe head, the shank and the instep, the massage can quicken the blood circulation and can be effective in prevention of disease.

Claims

1. A hand-held massage implement, comprising: a flexible centre shaft; a plurality ofgenerally ring-shaped members substantially coaxially mounted on said shaft with said shaft extending through a centre hole in each of said members, each of said members having a plurality of uniform length projections, said projections being positioned about an outer circumferential surface of said member at substantially regular circumferential intervals and projecting outwardly therefrom; and a pair of end plates attached to said shaft to locate said memberstherebetween.

2. A hand-held massage implement according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of ring-shaped members include members made of a nontoxicABS resin oraferromagnetic material.

3. A hand-held massage implement according to claim 2 wherein said plurality of ring-shaped members include members of the nontoxicABS resin and of the ferromagnetic material mounted alternately on said shaft.

4. A hand-held massage implement according to any preceding claim wherein said plurality of ringshaped members include a plurality of members with projections of a first length and a plurality of memberswith projections of a second length shorter than said first length.

5. A hand-held massage implement according to any preceding claim wherein said plurality of ringshaped members include at least fourteen members.

6. A hand-held massage implement according to any preceding claim wherein said shaft normally holds said plurality of ring-shaped members together in axial alignment, but is sufficiently yieldable to allow gaps to appear between the members with bending ofthe implement during use.

7. A hand-held massage implement according to any preceding claim wherein said shaft normally holds said plurality of ring-shaped members together in axial alignment, but is sufficiently yield- able to allow gaps to appear between the members with stretching ofthe implement during use.

8. A hand-held massage implement according to any preceding claim wherein said projections are substantially cylindrical.

9. A hand-held massage implement according to any preceding claim wherein said projections have a rounded free end.

10. Ahand-held massage implement according to any preceding claim wherein at least some of said projections have a length within the range of 4to 5 mm.

11. Ahand-held massage implement according to any preceding claim wherein said projections have a circumference of about 2.5 mm.

12. Ahand-held massage implement according to any preceding claim wherein said projections are spaced apart witch an interval between adjacent pro jectionswithinthe range of 2to 3 mm.

13. A hand-held massage implement according to any preceding claim wherein said projections on each of said members are coplanar.

14. A hand-held massage implement according to any preceding claim wherein removable means are provided for restraining said end plates against axially outward movement on said shaft.

15. Ahand-held massage implement according to any preceding claim whprein said members and said end plates are rotatably mounted on said shaft.

16. A hand-held massage implement according to any preceding claim wherein said end plates have acircularaxial elevation and includeacavityforreceiving replaceable material which can be viewed through atransparentcover.

17. A hand-held massage implement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, or Figures 5 and 6, ofthe accompanying drawings.