US2295817A

US2295817A - Vibratory massage device

Info

Publication number: US2295817A
Application number: US260086A
Authority: US
Inventors: Conard P Winther
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1939-03-06
Filing date: 1939-03-06
Publication date: 1942-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 1959-09-15

Description

p 1942- c. P. WINTHER 2,295,817

VIBRATORY MASSAGE DEVICE Filed March 6, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 V 22 Y 25 21 K MN 21 venior m;e

A ZZorneys Sept. 15, 1942. c. P. WINTHER 2,295,817

'VIBRATORY MASSAGE DEVICE Filed March 6, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fizvenior AZZorneys Patented Sept. 15, 1 942 UNlTED STATE.

PATENT QFS ME 4 Claims.

This invention relates to vibratory massage devices, and particularly to a massage device which will simultaneously apply partial vacuum and vibration to desired areas of the skin and tissue.

Vibratory massage and application of partial vacuum have been found effective in treatment of certain ailments as well as in reducing excessive fat on the human body. The application of partial vacuum during the vibratory massage greatly stimulates circulation, effectively increasing the capillary action in the areas treated and speeding up body metabolism.

It is an object of my invention to provide an exceedingly simple but highly efiicient device operated entirely by suction or partial vacuum without requiring mechanical parts in the applicator and which will simultaneously apply vibratory massage with constant partial vacuum to areas of the body where such treatment is desired.

It is a further object to provide a massage device which may be readily connected as an attachment with a source of partial vacuum, such as a vacuum cleaner or other device having a fan and wherein the source of partial Vacuum may be applied locally to areas of the body under control of an operator, and further is utilized to effect a controlled vibration of an applicator.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide in such a device means for regulating within a certain range the intensity of the vibration of the applicator as well as to a certain extent the degree of partial vacuum applied.

These and other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following description made in connection with the accompanying draw- 'ings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of my invention applied as an attachment to a conventional type of vacuum cleaner;

Fig. 2 shows a top plan view of one form of applicator or vacuum cup detached;

Fig. 3 shows a vertical section of the device shown in Fig. 2

Fig. 4 is a top plan View of a somewhat different form of applicator or vacuum cup;

Fig. 5 is a View partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section of the applicator shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of a somewhat different form of applicator embodying my invention, this applicator being particularly adapted for the face, neck and portions of the body having curved or rounded contour;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section of shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view with some portions broken away, showing still another form of applicator specially designed for use on delicate portions of the body;

Fig. 9 is a view mostly in vertical section of the applicator shown in Fig. 8, and

Fig. 10 is a vertical section of another type of applicator adapted for use on the face and smaller members of the human body.

My massage device necessarily requires as one of its elements a source of partial vacuum which, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, may be a conventional vacuum cleaner VC having the usual air intake I provided with suitable coupling means, the air discharge D, and containing the usual dust bag blower and electric motor (not shown). A tumbler switch S controls the electrical circuit for operating the motor.

My improved device includes a vacuum cup or massage applicator in the form of a flaring shell constructed preferably, but not necessarily, of flexible, elastic material such as rubber. In some shapes and sizes successful results may be attained with rigid vacuum cups, particularly where smaller areas are to be massaged. In the commercial form of my apparatus I prefer to supply several applicators, each designed particularly for application to certain portions of the human body, but all having certain construction and features in common.

In each instance the vacuum cup or applicator is provided with a flaring skirt portion having a lower and annularly shaped sealing edge for contact with the skin, and the interior of the skirt is preferably open and unobstructed.

In the form of vacuum cup shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the shell is provided with a relatively large; axially disposed neck I 2 defining a passage for connection with a source of partial vacuum. The neck may be integrally formed with the flexible elastic skirt 13 which depends therefrom, and the skirt terminates at its lower end in an annular sealing edge I3a which is adapted to contact and be pressed against the skin and tissue. An integrally formed, short, relatively heavy sleeve I2a is provided depending into the upper portion of the interior of the skirt from the neck l2. This has been found in the construction utilized in Figs. 2 and 3 to increase the vibration produced through the air fiow in the cup, although as will beapparent from a description of the other forms of vacuum cups shown, it is not necessary to the successful operation of the device. The apthe vacuum cup plicator shown in Figs. 2 and 3 has circumferentially spaced rabbets I3a formed in the external wall providing relatively thin, longitudinally extending areas in the shell. A partition [4 is interposed in the lower portion of the neck 12 having a pair of spaced V-shaped communication ports Ma provided therein.

I have discovered through extensive experimentation that by admitting a relatively small amount of air to the vacuum cup and properly relating the pointer points of air admission in the skirt with the peripheral wall of the vacuum cup and the connection of the cup with a source of partial vacuum, that a rapid vibration of the cup may be effected when properly applied to the skin and when, of course, it is connected with a source of partial vacuum.

In the form of applicator shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a relatively small air admission port I5 is formed in the skirt adjacent the sealing edge, and a second port I6 is formed in the skirt disposed nearly oppositely to the first port l5. A slide valve I1 is associated with the passage Hi to control the area of the air admission opening and is operative to regulate the intensity of the vibration.

In operation the vacuum cup or applicator is connected with a suitable source of partial vacuum, preferably by means of a flexible hose H. It is usually preferable to couple the outer end of the hose with the neck I2 of the applicator by means of a rigid coupling member l8 which may also serve as a handle for the applicator. The vacuum cup in the treatment is pressed against the skin and tissue of the body with the sealing edge contacting the skin. The amount of air admitted to the skirt of th vacuum cup may be regulated by the slide valve I7, and this, of course, varies within a certain range, the amount of partial vacuum applied, and it further enables the intensity of the vibration to be controlled. In other words, there is some point in the size range of air admission openings through port I6 where the most intensive vibration is obtained and an adjustment from that point lessens the intensity of vibration.

The vacuum cup may, of course, be shifted from area to area over the skin in giving a treatment, and a person may treat himself or it may be used in commercial shops where an operator gives the treatment.

The results obtained by the application of constant partial vacuum and gentle vibratory massage in stimulating circulation and speeding up metabolism, have been found highly efiicient for reducing excessive fat on the human body as well as in the treatment of ailments where local increased circulation has been efficient.

In Figs. 4 and 5 a slightly different form of applicator or vacuum cup is shown, being gen- .erally similar to the form first described, but having an unrestricted star-shaped communication passage between the neck and the interior of the skirt, and having a pair of relatively small air intake passages 2| on opposite sides of the skirt adjacent the sealing edge. In addition to these air intake passages a' larger valved air intake passage 22 of oblong shape is provided having mounted thereon a control slide valve 23. The exterior of the walls of the skirt are not rabbeted as in the form first described and as shown, though not necessary to the proper functioning or vibration of the cup, reinforcing ribs 24 extend longitudinally on the interior of the skirt and are integrally formed with the material of the cup. It will also be noted that in this form no depending collar or sleeve is provided below the neck l2 as in the form shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

In Figs. 6 and 7 a smaller and somewhat diiIerent form of applicator or vacuum cup is shown having a cylindrical neck 25 which communicates with a relatively short skirt 26 of considerably less area than the skirts of the two forms of vacuum cups first described. The communication between neck 25 and skirt 26 is made as shown through apertures 21a of a partition 21, although the partition and restrictions in air flow are not necessary to secure proper vibration of the cup. The skirt, it will be noted, has its lower edge out or formed in an eccentric and non-symmetrical shape as contrasted with the skirts shown in Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive. The skirt adjacent the upper end thereof may be provided with one or more holes 28 for air admission, although in this form ports or passages are unnecessary because of the function of the non-symmetrical skirt.

This form of vacuum cup is particularly designed for application for smaller members of the body or corners or rounded edges, and efiicient vibration is set up under constant partial vacuum because of the relationship of the sealing edge, the non-symmetrical sealing edge admitting a small amount of air, and the non-symmetrical shape and its relation to the relatively large air passage through the neck 25 causing a rapid vibration to take place when the sealing edge is properly disposed.

In Figs. 8 and 9 a slightly different form of vacuum cup or applicator is shown which is especially adapted for massaging the more delicate portions of the body, such as the breasts. The general construction of this form is similar to that shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a small air intake passage 39 being provided in one side of the skirt adjacent the sealing edge and a valve intake port 3| being provided on the opposite side of the skirt. The lower edge of the skirt is provided with a transverse, thin, flexible diaphragm 32 which may be constructed of sheet rubber and which, as shown, is provided with a multiplicity of air admission apertures. This diaphragm, in the use of the cup, is pressed against and conforms to the shape of the body area being treated, producing the same from excessive negative pressure while nevertheless making possible stimulation of circulation and application of vibration through the cup itself.

In Fig. 10 a small cup for massaging the face and other smaller body members is shown constructed of relatively rigid material and having an air intake port 33 disposed in one side of the wall adjacent the neck 34. This form has a partition 35 disposed between the neck and the interior of the skirt, and in this partition a plurality of communicating passages 35 are formed.

In all forms of the invention the relationship of the air intake means in the vacuum cup with the shape of the cup and skirt and the relation of these parts with the relatively large passage connecting the cup with the source of negative pressure is responsibleforsuccessful vibration when constant negative pressure is applied.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that I have provided an exceedingly simple, inexpensive and highly efficient apparatus or device which may be utilized as an attachment .for other devices such as vacuum cleaners, or

which may have its own independent source of partial vacuum to give massage treatments simultaneously subjecting areas of the human body to the action of gentle vibration as Well as partial vacuum.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangements and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

The term sealing edge, as hereinafter used in the claims, is used in its broad sense to include any edge of the vacuum cup whether covered by a diaphragm or uncovered, which cooperates to form a sealing connection between the skirt of the cup and the skin or clothing of the person on whom the device is used.

What is claimed is:

"1. In a massage device adapted to simultaneously apply partial vacuum and vibration, a vacuum cup having a skirt portion provided with a sealing edge and having a relatively large passage therethrough in constant communication with the interior of said skirt, said cup having a relatively small air admission opening through its peripheral wall spaced from said first mentioned passage, an annular projection protruding into said cup and forming a continuation of said passage to divert the flow of air to assist in causing a rapid vibration of said cup when partial vacuum is applied.

2. A vacuum cup vibratory massage device adapted to be energized by a constant source of partial vacuum comprising a vacuum cup formed with a conduit portion adapted to connect the interior of said cup to said source and havin a sealing body contacting edge defining the mouth of said cup, and a weakened zone of flexible elastic material in the wall of said cup intermediate said conduit portion and said edge, the wall of said cup also being provided with an air admission opening considerably smaller than the suction passage in said conduit portion, said opening, weakened zone and suction passage cooperating to regulate flow of air through said cup to cause appreciable vibration thereof when said constant partial vacuum is applied.

3. In the massage device defined in claim 2, a thin elastic diaphragm provided with a multiplicity of small perforations stretched across the mouth of said cup.

4. A vacuum cup vibratory massage device adapted to be energized by a constant source of partial vacuum comprising a rubber vacuum cup formed with an integral conduit portion adapted to connect the interior of said cup to said source and having a thickened sealing edge defining the mouth of said cup, the Walls of said cup being thinned to provide a weakened zone intermediate said conduit portion and said edge and said cup being formed with a small air admission opening considerably smaller than the suction passage in said conduit portion.

CONRAD P. WINTI-LER,