US1808333A - Portable massage and exercise machine - Google Patents

Description

June 2, 1931. F. A/ANDERSON 1,808,333

PORTABLE MASSAGE AND EXERCISE MACHINE Filed Nov 20, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 2, 1931. F. A. ANDERSON PORTABLE MASSAGE AND EXERCISE MACHINE Filed Nov. 20, 1928 4' Sheets-Sheet 3 (fa/em WW 772a M I June \2, 1931.

F. A. ANDERSON PORTABLE MASSAGE AND EXERCISE MACHINE Filed Nov. 2o, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 E15 Z Mrsan Patented June 2, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRITZ A. ANDERSON, OF MILTON, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO THE BURIDICK OORPORA- V TION, OF MILTON, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF DELA'WARE PORTABLE MASSAGE-AND EXERCISE MACHINE Application filed November 20, 1928. Serial No. 320,664.

This invention relates to an exercising,

and massaging machine.

It will be described with particular reference to a portable exercising and massaging machine.

An exercising machine of the type adapted to be used in the ordinary household is frequently moved out of the way into a convenient nook or corner when not in use, and

1% in order for it to maintain its popularity it must be of such weight and size that it may be readily brought out and put in operation with little inconvenience. Another factor in the success of such a device is the ease and simplicity with which it may be adjusted to produce the various degrees of movement suited to different individuals and to different treatments.

In employing a mechanical device for artificial massage and .flexing of the muscles of the body to promate the development I of the muscles and stimulate the circulation of the blood, it is desirable to simulate as nearly as possible the movements employed when the massaging is done manually as cising and massaging apparatus in which the applicator belt is moved 1n such a manner as to produce a kneading action.

A further object is to provide an apparatus in which the applicator belt has a movement of translation in addition to an oscillating movement. v

-A further object is to provide an exercising and massaging machine in which the massaging effect is increased by the peculiar movement of theapplicator belt.

The mechanical de-.

Afurther object is to provide a machine of this type which is light and compact and yet sturdy in construction.

A further object is to provide a machine which is'readily adjustable while in action to produce different intensities of movement.

Other objects and advantages will here inafter appear.

An embodimentof the invention 'isillustrated in the accompanying drawings, where- 1n:

Fig. l is a front elevation partly in sec tion of my improved apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly in section of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is'a planview of the apparatus;

Fig. is a detailedview partly in section. of the hook for attaching the, applicator to the rocker arm.

Fig. 5 is a detailed view ofthe eccentric bearing of the rocker arm with the dust cap 7 what bell shaped, base 11 is shown for supporting the apparatus. The base is closed underneath by a plate 10 to exclude dust.

Extending upwardly from base 11 is a rectangularhousing 12 to which a motor 13 is attached. Motor 13 is positioned vertically and has its shaft 14 extending into the base.

The lower end of shaft 14' carries a driving pulley 15. I

Housing12 is provided with a pair of bearings 16and 17in which a vertical shaft 18 is journaled. Shaft 18 is provided at its lower end-with a pulley 19 and a belt 21 passes from this pulley around motor pulley for rotating shaft 18. The upper end of shaft 18 is provided with an eccentrically V mounted collar 22 which is secured to the shaft by a pin 23. A ball race .24is secured tocollar 22 by means of a washer 25 which is held in engagement with the end of the shaft by a nut 26.

A rocker arm 27 is provided with a bearing cup 28 in which'a companion ball race 29 is secured. A plurality of ball bearings 31 are placed in annular grooves provided in the ball races and serve to rotatably mount the rocker arm bearing on shaft 18 and prevent longitudinal movement of the rocker arm with respect to the shaft.

The lower end ofbearing cup 28 is provided with an annular groove which is adapted'to retain a washer of felt or similar material for the purpose of preventing the lubricant from the bearing to pass downwardly along collar 22. A cap 33 is secured over the bearing bya plurality of screws to exclude dust and foreign matter therefrom.

Rocker arm 27 is provided with a bearing 35 intermediate its length and a link 36 is pivotally attached to the rocker arm by pin 34 which is journalled in bearing 34.

The opposite end of link 36 is pivotally mounted upon housing 12 by a pivot pin 37 which is secured to the housing. Link 36 when in its central position is perpendicular to the rocker arm 27. A movement of the link about pivot pin 37 will cause a movement of translationof the rocker armand cause it to move forwardly and rearwardlv. A movement of rocker arm 27 about pivot 3% will cause an oscillating movement of the rocker. arm. It, therefore, the rocker arm is moved in such a manner that link 36 will pivot about its pivot pin 37 and the rocker arm will at the same time pivot about pivot pin 34, a combined movement ofoscillation and translation will be obtained. A looped applicator belt 40 attached to the ends of the rocker arm will, due to this movement of the rocker arm, not only move to and'lro but the loop of the belt will be drawn toward and permitted to recede from the machine, thereby greatly enhancing the massaging effect. j

The rocker arm is provided with a counterweight 38 on one side of pivot pin '34 which is similar in appearance to the hearing on the opposite side of the pivot pin and a cap 39 similar to cap 33 is placed over the counterweight for symmetry of appear.

ance.

The ends of rocker arm 37 are provided with longitudinal slots 4:1 in which hooks 42 are secured. These hooks serve as at taching means by which applicator 40 is attached to the arms. Hooks 42 are provided with washers -13 which are attached to .hook extending through the longitudinal slot is threaded to receive a wing nut 46. A washer 47 carrying a pointer 48 at its forto indicate the length of the arc of oscillation'of the rocker arm at that point.

In order to vary the amplitude of the v movement of the applicator, the position of hooks 42 may be shifted along the rocker arm. This is accomplished by releasing or unthreading wing nut 46. When this nut is released spring 47 will disengage flanges 51 from notches 52 and the hook may be freely shifted along the rocker arm, in accordance with the amplitude of movement desired. The setting of the hook to obtain the proper amplitude of movement is facilitated bv scale53. lVhenthe liooklias been spaced in the desired position, wing nut 46 is threaded on to the hook forcing the flanges of washer 47 into the notches on the rocker armto firmly secure the hook in position during operation of the apparatus.

A switch 71 is. conveniently arranged in the forward part of the housing and has a control. lever 72 extending through its for ward wall,, where it may be conveniently reached by the operator while exercising with the machine. A cord 7 3 leads from the switch through an aperture 74 in base 11.

'A coil spring 7 5 surrounds a portion of the position to be used it is placed upon a standor table of suitable height andsecured in positionbya strap 61 which is attached to the apparatus by means of a plate 62 which isypermanently attached to the strap. The strap is provided with a buckle (Se-for adjusting its length and at the end opposite the apparatus it is provided with a plate 65 having a plurality of apertures therein for; receiving bolts or screws 66 by which. the

strap may be attached to a wall or WlIlClOW sill or any other suitable place. The plate 62 is provided with a circular opening 68 which has at its forward end a'longitudinal slot, By this means the plate 62 can be readily attached to a bolt 70 carriedby the apparatus, having asuitable head over. which the aperture 68 of; plate 62 is threaded so that whenthe body-0f bolt'70 is drawn into the longitudinal slotthe strap 61 will not becomedisconnected while the strapis main.

tained taut.

'The apparatus described may be readily adjusted to provide the intensity of movement suited for different individuals. One of the outstanding features of the invention is the fact that it produced a movement having an oscillating and a translating component which results in a massaging effect which has not been heretofore achieved.

Having described the nature and embodiments of my invention, what I desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is as follows 1. In an exercising and massaging ma chine, a support, a pivot pin mounted on the support, a link pivoted on the pivot pin, a rocker arm pivotally carried by the link, and means for imparting a movement of combined oscillation and translation to the rocker arm comprising a bearing element in said arm, a second bearing element operably engaging concentrically within the first said bearing element, and means for rotating said second bearing element eccentrically about a fixed axis.

2. In an exercising and massaging machine, an applicator, a rocker arm for actuating the applicator, a mounting for the rocker arm adapted to permit a movement of oscillation and translation of the rocker arm, and mechanism for actuating the rocker arm to cause an oscillating and translating movement. comprising an eccentric element journaled in said rocker arm at a point spaced from said mounting and a ro- V tatable shaft mounted to rotate on a fixed axis and secured to said eccentric element.

3. In an exercising and massaging machine, an applicator, a rocker arm for actuating the applicator, a link pivotally attached to the rocker arm intermediate its length, a pin for pivotally securing the op-. posite end of the link a bearing carried by the rocker arm, and an eccentric element journalled in the bearing and a rotatable shaft mounted to rotate on a fixed axis and secured to said eccentric element for producing a combined translating and oscillating movement of the rocker arm.

4. In an exercising and massaging machine, an applicator, a rocker arm for operating the applicator having an elongated slot and provided with a plurality of notches, an attaching member for attaching the applicator to the rocker arm, said member having a threaded portion extending through the slot in the rocker arm, a washer having a flange for engaging a notch in the rocker arm and adapted to be placed over the threaded portion of the attaching member, a spring interposed between the rocker arm and the washer for disengaging the flange of the washer from the notch in the rocker arm, and a nut for engaging the flange of the washer with a notch in the rocker arm to secure the attaching member in position.

5. In an exercising and massaglng machine, a vertical shaft, an eccentric wheel mounted thereon, a rocker arm adapted to be actuated by said eccentric wheel, a link pivotally connected to the rocker arm, a support for pivotally carrying the opposite end of the link an applicator attached to the rocker arm, and means for rotating the vertical shaft thereby imparting an oscillating and translating movement to the rocker arm.

6. A portable exercising and massaging machine, comprising a base, a motor mounted on the base, said motor having a vertical shaft extending into the base, a pulley carried by the motor shaft, a support extending upwardly from the base, a bearing carried by the support, a vertical shaft journalled in said bearing, a pulley carried by the lower end of said shaft adapted to be rotated by the pulley on the motor shaft, a ball race eccentrically mounted on the upper end of the vertical shaft, a rocker arm having a companion race, a plurality of ball hearings in said races rotatably mounting the vertical shaft in the rocker arm, a link pivotally attached to the rocker, arm intermediate its length, and an applicator adapted to be actuated by the rocker arm.

Inwitness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 16th day of November, 1928. FRITZ A. ANDERSON.

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