GB2347627A

GB2347627A - Foot massager

Info

Publication number: GB2347627A
Application number: GB0000766A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas Metcalfe; David Marsden
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-02-11
Filing date: 2000-01-13
Publication date: 2000-09-13
Anticipated expiration: 2020-01-13
Also published as: WO2000047158A2; WO2000047158A3; GB2347627B; AU2449300A; GB0000766D0; GB9902994D0

Abstract

A foot massager is provided comprising a foot pad, preferably covered with nodules 3 and suction pads (4) provided on the underside for attachment to a bath. The foot massager is preferably battery powered. Infra red lamps and other illumination units may be provided. A pump may also be provided for providing air/water jets for providing an additional massaging sensation.

Description

FOOT MASSAGER The present invention relates to a foot massager.

Known foot massagers comprise a unit which must be filled with water and plugged into the mains. Such massagers are not particularly convenient since after use the unit must be unplugged, emptied of water, and stored away.

It is therefore desired to provide a foot massager which is more convenient to use.

According to the present invention, there is provided a foot massager as claimed in claim 1. Other aspects of the present invention as recited in the other independent claims.

The foot'massager preferably has a vibrating plate or the like. However, in other less preferred embodiments other forms of stimulation may be provided such as rotational or translational movement.

According to the preferred embodiment, the foot massager is designed to be used underwater in a bath. Accordingly, the massager may be provided with a battery unit which is further preferably rechargeable. However, in less preferred embodiments, the massager may use non rechargeable batteries and may even be powered solely by the mains. If a rechargeable power unit is provided, then the massager may also additionally be powered by the mains.

Preferably, the massager after use may be reenergised or recharged by connecting the unit to a mains supply.

The foot massager is more convenient to use than a conventional foot massager since it may be permanently left in the bath and does not need to be unplugged, emptied and stored after use. The preferred embodiment uses a rechargeable unit which is completely safe. The preferred embodiment in also more user friendly in that some people may be put off using a conventional massaging unit since it may be considered to be dangerous to mix water with a mains powered device. It is a fact that people generally do not like the idea of mixing mains electricity and water. Furthermore, conventional devices require a user to put down towels and to run a mains socket into a room or run an extension lead into the bathroom. The latter is obviously potentially dangerous.

The foot rest or plate is designed to accommodate feet comfortably, and an ON/OFF switch may also be provided. Preferably, the speed of vibration or the massaging effect may be controlled or selected by the user, for example, by setting a speed dial or selecting a mode of operation.

The vibrating unit, electric motor and any rechargeable cells are all waterproofed e. g. by being housed in a fully waterproofed compartment.

Mountings in the form of suction pads may be provided on the base of the massager. The mountings help to position the massager in the bath, or in less preferred embodiments on a dry surface since in some embodiments the massager does not necessarily have to be used underwater. The mountings are preferably pivoted which enables a user to position the massager for maximum comfort. According to the preferred embodiment, the massager including the foot rest/pad is mounted at the end of a bath so that a bather can rest his/her feet on it, but as previously mentioned it can be used elsewhere.

When the device is switched'on, it will preferably provide vibrations or other massaging/stimulating movements which travel through or are transmitted through the surface of the device into the base of the foot or feet of a user. The vibrations may, in one embodiment, be spread substantially or generally evenly across the pad so as to massage the foot in an even manner.

After use, the massager may be stored in a holder which will recharge the cells as and when necessary.

Preferably, the massager is made from plastics materials and may include metal mechanical parts.

In addition to not mixing, in the preferred embodiment at least, mains electricity and water, it will be appreciated that the preferred embodiment also has the avantage that the device is submersible with pads that mount onto the bath and enable it to pivot for comfort or rest on the floor for dry use. The device may also be provided with a variable vibrating setting for individual preference and it is generally more convenient, easier to use and aesthetically pleasing.

Further improvements to the basic design include incorporating infra red lights or lamps. These are preferably mounted within the surface of the foot plate, but it will be appreciated that they could also be provided generally adjacent the foot plate.

The unit may also be arranged to operate or incorporate a pump for pushing/pumping water or air jets. Preferably, the water and/or air jets may exit through the surface of the footplate. This would increase the massaging effect for the feet. In less preferred embodiments, the massager could be operated solely by using water and/or air jets.

According to a less preferred embodiment, the massager may be powered from a mains supply.

According to another improvement, a form of illumination may be provided preferably integrally with the unit. However, in other embodiments the illumination could be provided generally adjacent the main housing of the massager.

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a plan view of the massager; Fig. 2 shows the underside of the massager; and Fig. 3 shows an end view of the massager.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the massager preferably comprises one or more portions for receiving a foot.

The surface of the massager may be provided with nodules 3 or the like. An ON/OFF switch 2 may be provided together with an optional recharging point 1.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, preferably two mounting points 2 or suction pads may be provided together with a battery compartment or motor housing cover 5.

Further unillustrated embodiments include the provision of infra red lights/lamps preferably mounted within the surface of the foot plate. Air and/or water jets may also be provided preferably powered by a pump within the main body of the massager housing. An optional illumination unit may be provided, and less preferably the massager may also be operated by mains supply.

Claims

Claims 1. A foot massager comprising: a foot rest having a plurality of nodules disposed thereon; and vibrating means for vibrating said foot rest, said vibrating means being powered by a rechargeable battery unit.
2. A foot massager for use in a bath, comprising : a foot rest; and vibrating means for vibrating said foot rest.

3. A foot massager as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a battery unit for powering said vibrating means, said battery unit being rechargeable.
3. A waterproof massager for use in a bath, comprising : a foot massager powered by a rechargeable power unit.
4. A waterproof massager as claimed in claim 3, wherein said foot massager has a plurality of nodules disposed on said foot massager.
5. The apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising a power ON/OFF switch.
6. The apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising means for setting the speed of vibration of said massager.
7. The apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising a vibrating electric motor.
8. The apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising rechargeable cells housed within a waterproofed compartment.
9. The apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising mountings or suction pads on the base of the massager for assisting in positioning the massager in a bath or the like.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said mountings are pivotally provided.
11. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the outer housing of the massager is made from plastics.
12. The apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising illumination means for providing illumination.
13. The apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising infra red lights or lamps incorporated within or provided surrounding said massager.
14. The apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising a pump for pumping water and/or air through said massager.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein water and/or air jets are emitted, in use, from said massager.
16. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said unit is additionally operable in use from a mains supply.
17. The combination of a holder and the apparatus of any preceding claim, said holder being arranged to recharge said apparatus.
18. A waterproof foot massager for use in a bath, comprising: means for positioning said massager in a bath; a foot pad; vibrating means for vibrating said foot pad; and rechargeable battery means for powering said vibrating means.
19. A massager as claimed in claim 18, further comprising an integral infra red unit.
20. A massager as claimed in claim 18 or 19, further comprising pump means for creating a water jet.
21. A massager-as claimed in claim 18,19 or 20, further comprising pump means for creating an air jet.
22. A recharging unit in combination with the massager of claims 18-21.
23. A foot massager for use substantially underwater in a bath or the like, comprising: a non mains powered foot massaging unit.
24. A foot massager as claimed in claim 23, further comprising infra red means for providing infra red radiation.
25. A foot massager as claimed in claim 23 or 24, further comprising air jet means for providing a jet of air.
26. A foot massager as claimed in claim 23,24 or 25, further comprising water jet means for providing a jet of water.
27. A foot massager as claimed in any of claims 23-26, wherein said foot massaging unit is selectively controllable.
28. A foot massager as claimed in any of claim 23-27, further comprising at least one positioning means for positioning said massager within a bath, said positioning means comprising a pivotally mounted pad.
29. A foot massager as claimed in claim 28, wherein said pad comprises a sucker or suction pad.
30. A foot massager for use in a bath whilst being substantially submerged underwater, comprising: a foot rest; massaging means for providing a massaging effect to said foot rest.
31. A foot massager as claimed in claim 30, wherein said massaging means is powered by a battery unit.
32. A foot massager as claimed in claim 30 or 31, wherein said massaging means is powered by a mains supply.
33. A foot massager as claimed in claim 30,31 or 32, wherein said massaging means is powered by means integral with said massager.
34. A foot massager as claimed in any of claims 30-33, wherein said massaging means is powered by means which are external of the main housing of said massager.
35. A foot massager as claimed in claim 34, wherein the means for powering the massaging means is connected to the main housing of said massager by a power cable.
36. A rechargeable underwater foot massaging device for use in a bath, said foot massaging device being electrically powered.
37. An underwater foot massager comprising: a substantially plastic outer housing; a vibrating or moving pad for massaging a foot; and power means for powering said vibrating or moving pad.
38. An underwater foot massager as claimed in claim 37, further comprising an infra red radiation emitting device.
39. An underwater foot massager as claimed in claim 37 or 38, further comprising a water and/or air jet means for emitting a water and/or air jet.
40. An underwater foot massager for use in a bath comprising: a pump for providing water and/or air jets; and a battery unit for powering said pump.
41. A foot massager as claimed in claim 40, further comprising a vibrating unit for massaging the foot of a user.
42. A submersible foot massager comprising: a battery powered massaging unit; and at least one suction pad for attachment to a bath.
43. A submersible foot massager as claimed in claim 42, wherein said at least one suction pad is pivotally mounted.
44. A submersible foot massager as claimed in claim 42 or 43, further comprising means for selectively controlling the degree of massaging providing by said massaging unit, said massager further comprising an ON/OFF switch.
45. A foot massager substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.