US2683451A - Massaging device - Google Patents

Description

July 13, 1954 O'CONNOR 'r. CLARK 8 MASSAGING DEVICE Filed Sept. 4, 1952 [fin INVENTOR OCONNER 7. CLARK M 41 Tj mwcs w ATTORNEY Patented July 13, 195 4 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE 23 Claims. i

This invention relates to an improved vibrating device for massaging the human body.

The present device'has several improved features of construction whereby an improved massaging may be imparted with maximum benefit and comfort to the recipient.

An outstanding object of the present construction is the mounting of a plurality of reciprocating type vibrating elements in a manner whereby some of the vi rators are given a positive thrust and others are given a resilient or cushioning thrust to impart contrasting vibratory forces to the recipient.

Another object is the mounting of reciprocating vibrating elements in a manner to minimize the vibratory reaction to the masseur using the device for massaging.

Another object of this invention is the encasement of vibratory elements in a resilient diaphragm of a bellows type of fiat outer contour to allow resilient expansion and contraction with the vibrations with a minimum of irritation to the skin of the recipient of the massage.

A further object of the present construction is the mounting of a massaging fluid dispensing means associated with the vibrating elements to allow a controlled feed of a massaging fluid as he massage is being performed. A further object of the present construction is the mounting of heating elements to impart heat in a controlled manner to the skin of the recipient of the massage; to the massaging fluid and further means to control the quantity of heat imparted and to rapidly dissipate the same from the device for optimum rapid temperature adjustment.

A further object of this invention is in a valvelike construction of the resilient massaging diaphragm whereby the feed of fluid is accurately controlled to dispense a substantially controlled quantity of massaging liquid with each reciprocation. of a vibrator. Other features of the present invention are inherent in the construcion and will be best understood by reference to the drawings herewith in which Fig. "1 shows the assembled massaging device with portions broken away to illustrate the internal construction;

Fig. 2 is a detail showing the construction of the cam disc;

Fig. 3 is a section taken throughthe cam disc on the line %-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4. is a detail through a section of the resilient massaging diaphragmshowing control of massaging fluid by thrust of avibrator; and

Fig. 5 is a'wiring diagram.

Fig. 6 shows a detail of a modified mounting of the cam disc allowing resilient sliding upon the motor armature.

Referring to Fig. l, the massaging device is assembled by mounting on an annular supporting plate li] a housing II, suitably fastened thereto as by brackets l2. The housing H is generally cylindrical and has electrical field coils Hi comprising a stator element of a motor mounted to the walls thereof, within which is vertically mounted an electric armature l5 journaled at the upper end in a thrust bearing I6 and having a driving shaft ll depending from the opposite end thereof which is supported for rotation in a bushing [8 mounted through the center of the annular plate It. The shaft il terminates in a reduced diameter portion [9 forming a shoulder 2% on which is mounted the cam disc 2| to bear against the shoulder 20, the cam disc 2i being fastened thereto by a retaining nut 22 which is threaded on the end 19 of the shaft [1 extending therethrough. The cam disc 2! is an annular plate having a series of round depressions 23 disposed annularly about the disc and through the surface in a circle concentric with the center of the disc. These depressions 23 form complementary cam protuberances 2 3 on the opposite side of the cam disc 2|. The cam disc also carries on the same surface as the depressions 23 a series of raised wedges 25 disposed annularly adjacent the outer periphery of the disc 2!. As indicated, the disc is further bored through the center 25 for receiving the reduced end it of the armature shaft IT for mounting thereon.

Mounted oppositely to the motor housing I i beneath the plate it is a cylindrical housing 2'? fastened to the plate Hi through any suitable fastening device such as brackets it. The housing 21 is closed by a bottom wall 29 on which are fixed a series of reciprocating plunger housings comprising small cylinders 39 annularly distributed beneath the cam disc in two concentric circles, one of which is vertically aligned with the depressions and protuberances 23 and 2d of said cam disc and the other series aligned beneath the'wedge-like earns 25 upon the upper disc surface near the outer periphery of the disc 2 l.

The end portion 29 of the housing 27 is bored to receive reciprocating rods 3i and 32, the inner 34 and mounted on the rod 3| within the cylin- 3 drical housing 38 is an annular disc 35 having a diameter complementing the inner bore of the cylinder 30 to have an easy sliding fit against the cylindrical wall thereof as the rod is reciprocated. The annular disc 35 is positioned on the rod 3|, as by a set screw, a distance below the inner end or" the rod 3| on which the knob 34 is carried sufiicient to cooperate with the knob 34 so that both knob and disc 3 and 35 act as stops in both reciprocating directions against the inner and outer end 33 of the cylinder 30. Mounted beneath the annular disc 35 and surrounding the rod 3i is a coil spring 3i, one end of which bears beneath the annular disc 35, and the other against the bottom housing wall 29, whereby the spring 31 is in compression and tends resiliently to urge the cam rod 3i upwardly so that the knob 3Q bears against the under side of the cam plate 3| and protuberances 24 thereon. With this mounting, each of the cam rods 3| are thrust downwardly as the protuberance E l on the cam plate pushes the knob 35 thereon against the compression of the spring ill. As the cam plate rotates to an angular position beyond a depressed portion of the cam 2 the plunger rod 3| will be urged upwardly against a hollow space 38 between protuberanoes 2G by the pressure of the spring 3i operating against the annular disc 35 within the cylinder 3%..

The rods 3'2 have the inner ends thereof 3% bent at right angles to the body of each rod whereby the bent portion 39 is carried on the upper outer peripheral edge of the disc 2| to cooperate with the cam wedges thereon as the cam disc 2| is rotated. The rods 32, similarly to 3|, each have an annular disc fastened thereabout and disposed within a cylindrical housing 3i! and fixed intermediate the end of each rod 32 as by a set screw. A coil spring 40 is mounted about each of the rods 32 in the upper portion of cylinder 36 with the lower end of the spring as bearing against the upper surface of the annular disc 35 and the upper end of spring it, in compression, bearing against the upper end 33 of the cylinder 36, whereby the rods 32- are continuously urged downward by resilient pressure of the coil spring cc in compression. This action further holds the bent end 35 of the rod 32 downwardly against the upper surfaceof the outer periphery of the cam disc 2|. When the cam disc 2| is rotated the bent ends 39 or rods 32 are lifted upwardly by the wedges 25 distributed around the upper cam surface carrying rods 32 upwardly therewith, and after the disc turns angularly beyond the highest portion of the wedge 43 thereon each rod 32 is released from the lifting movement of the wedge 25 and drops over the shoulder from the end d3 of the wedge 25, each rod 32 being continuously urged downward by the pressure of the spring id.

It will be seen therefore that two series of reciprocating rods are provided, 3| disposed in an inner circular arrangement within the housing and 32 in an outer circular arrangement within the housing 21 as two concentric circles. As the cam disc is rotated by the armature IS the rods 3| are positively pushed downward by action of the cam protuberances 24 and returned upwardly to a normal position by pressure of the springs 31, but the rods 32 are positively lifted upwardly by the cam wedges 25 and are returned downwardly to normal by pressure of springs The outer ends of the rods 3| and 32 have a semi-spherical cap 45 fixed thereto by any suitable means such as a set screw 46.

Fitted beneath the housing 21 and gripping with elastic resilience against the cylindrical walls thereof is mounted a rubber bellows-like accordion-folded cap formed of heavy rubber or resilient plastic, such as polyethylene, which encases the lower end 29 of the housing '21 and extends as a resilient stretchable diaphragm or smooth sheathing member ll over the reciprocating rod ends 45. The expansible diaphragm 4'! is of reasonably thick composition such as A; to /4 of an inch which is resiliently expansible, both from a series of accordion-like pleats 48 approximating a bellows construction in the cylindrical lower walls thereof, and from the resilient nature of the composition per se. Hence, under pressure of the reciprocating plungers, the diaphragm 41 stretches and protrudes with each thrust of the rods 3| or 32 thereon as shown in Fig. 4.

The resilient diaphragm ll'i is constructed so that it normally tends to return to a flat platelike surface when pressure thereon is removed but will bulge and protrude in spots under actual pressure of one of the plunger knobs as as illustrated.

Cut into the diaphragm in a position directly beneath each reciprocating rod and knob ts is a small approximately inch longitudinal slit 49. Slits cit under normal resilient tension inherent in the diaphragm structure will remain closed and normally fluid tight, but will be distended by pressure of knobs against the resilient diaphragm 4? to form a passageway as for fluid allowing a small quantity such a drop or two to be pressed outwardly when the diaphragm is pushed by each knob at as shown in Fig. l. The action of the knob to open the slit is is therefore valve-like to allow passage of fluid therethrough, similar in nature to a rubber nipple, deforming pressure upon which distends the opening 49 allowing fluid to flow therethrough, but the resilient walls automatically closing the slit-like opening when the deforming pressure on the rubber is withdrawn. Such slitted construction 01 the diaphragm used only when the vibrating device hereof is used in conjunction with a supply of massaging fluid. For this purpose an annular tank is mounted on an extended portion of the plat" ill to surround the motor housing ii. lvlountet within the bottom 5| of the tank St is a serie. of openings 52 in which are fitted a number or capillary size tubes or ducts preferably of rubber or resilient plastic, such as polyethylene, which convey massaging fluid each directly to a position beneatha plunger element a slit opening as in the diaphragm there usually but not necessarily being as many ducts as plunger elements, as well as a number slits 49 corresponding to the ducts. The ducts t3 are resilient and the flow of fluid therethrough being slow in an case, in view of the capillary size, are pressed closed when the plunger caps 45, coacting therewith, press simultaneously against thev capillary tubes 53 and the diaphragm opening 49. The eiiect of such pressure is to pinch the tube 53 closed so that fluid how therethrough is stopped or retarded while pressh open the slit 49 to expel a drop of accuniulat-..u liquid. As thus described, the massaging fluid is drawn slowly by gravity flow from the supply tank5|l through capillary ducts 53, the rate or" flow being controlled as a composite of the size of the capillary tubes 53, the vibration of the tubes, the alternately openingandpinching closed 5 of the ends thereof by action of the reciprocating plungers 3i and 32 with some variation due to variation of temperature control as will appear. A suitable stopper element 54 is mounted in the tank 58 for supply massaging fluid thereto.

Mounted beneath the plate It is a coil of electric resistance wire 55 which is connected with a variable resistor comprising a thermostatic control 56 of conventional construction so that a controlled quantity of heat may be supplied to the coils 55 which supplies heat to the plate l0 and thence by conduction and radiation through the tank 59 for warming the massaging fluid to any desired degree. A portion of the heat suppiied is conducted and radiated downwardly for warming the massaging apparatus and skin of the the recipient of the massage for optimum comfort. An additional set of heating coils 57 may be supplied mounted beneath the bottom 29 of the housing 2! for more direct application of heat to the diaphragm and thence to the skin of the recipient of the massage. The temperature imparted to both coils as a single circuit may be variedas desired through the resistor 55 in circuit with the heating coils 55 and 51.

Mounted about the lower portion of the massaging device through fasteners, such as screws 58 and through a flange 59 built on the circular edge thereof is a lower housing 60. For optimum comfort in contact with the recipient of the massage this housing 60 is preferably made of plastic which will not transfer great extremes of temperature of the device in use prior to proper adjustment thereof. A suitable plastic, again, is polyethylene, but others may be substituted. Moreover, to aiford rapid cooling characteristics for quick heat dissipation and further to enhance the strength, the plastic molding 60 is constructed vvwith a series of annular ribs 6| preferaby molded trolling unit, i. e. a simple variable resistor 63 which controls the quantity of current and thereby the speed of a motor 64 in circuit therewith. Current is broken through an off-on switch es. Leads are taken from both input terminals 62 to pass through the heating coils 55 and 5? as varied by resistor 56 through an optionally supplied off-on switch 66.

As indicated massaging fluid in tank 50 is indirectly but positively heated in a controlled heat supply through coils 55. A certain amount of heat is developed by the motor 64 which, as shown, is preferably dissipated through vents is! mounted annularly near the top of the motor housing H. However, if desired, vents 68 may be supplied near the bottom of the housing H as shown in dotted line position of Fig. 1, so that this heat may be directly transferred to the contents of tank 50.

In a modified construction as shown in a detail, Fig. 6, the cam plate 2| may be bored slightly larger at it to entirely encompass the armature shaft i? there being a key-way cut in the armature shaft H to receive the key or key projection (see dotted portion of Fig. 2). A thrust Washer H is mounted to bear against the bushing 18, against which one end of a compression spring i2 is mounted with. the opposite end bearing against-a cam platefll-t'o hold itat the-outer endof its key way." -Ni1t'22 would then be turned 6 up against shoulder 20 on shaft [1 to' retain the cam disc 2|.

With this modified construction, the massaging device has its outer thrust absorbed partly by spring 72, the total assembly of cam plate 2| and reciprocating rods bearing thereagainst being moved inwardly by massaging reaction against the pressure of spring 12 and simultaneously, the bellows #8 will allow contraction inwardly of all of the massaging elements encased therein. With this construction a variable degree of overall massaging pressure is possible against the resilience of spring 72 and simultaneously the reactive vibrational force is absorbed both by the spring 72 and bellows to allow application of massage with minimum reaction on the masseur.

It will be seen therefore that a combined bellows and springing action is possible so that any degree of resilient pressure may be applied against the surface being massaged. Moreover, since the bellows cap confines a volume of air that will vary with the expansion and contraction thereof as the massaging pressure thereon is varied, such change of volume is compensated by gas flow through the slits 49, but the bellows may be vented otherwise. However the contraction of the bellows with applied massaging pressure aids in expelling massaging fluid. Where the bellows effect is taken advantage of in expelling massaging fluid according to the modified construction of Fig. 6, it is unnecessary that the slits 49 be placed directly beneath the plunger rods, but may be distributed any place in the surface of the sheath, desirably for even distribution of fluid outwardly thereof, the same being then dispensed entirely by gas pressure evolved by the contraction of the bellows.

As thus described, a massaging device is provided wherein several reciprocating vibrators are mounted in two series one of which is positive thrust with resilient reaction and the other which gives positive reaction and resilient thrust whereby the one group has a slapping or thumping effect resiliently and the other as a positive thrusting, kneading effect against the skin of the recipient. The device further includes an expansible bellows or accordion type resilient cap inclosing the vibrating elements the lower end thereof comprising a resilient diaphragm or sheath which acts as a cushioning membrane against which all of the vibrating elements act in use for optimum comfort as applied to the skin of the subject receiving the massage.

The device further includes means for feeding at a slow controlled rate a massaging fluid to the skin of the recipient of the massage and to control the dispensing of the fluid with a valve-like action wherein the flow of fluid through ducts and expulsion of the fluid through nipple-like slits in the diaphragm is effected by the normal reciprocation of the several massaging elements.

The device further includes means for controlling the temperature of the massaging fluid as well as to impart a comfortable temperature to the skin of the recipient of the massage. The device further includes means for regulating the quantity of heat imparted as well as for rapidly dissipating and evenly distributing the same about the massaging device. The device as shown is highly flexible in control of speed of vibration as well as control of temperature.

The construction as shown may be'made sufliciently small to grasp in the palm-of the hand ofthe masseur and comfortably held, the vibrating' construction described being of a character to give aminimum of vibrating reactionisince the total reaction of the several reciprocating vibrators are absorbed in the resilient diaphragm and bellows,.in the springmounting and in the rotating cam disc.

Certainmodifications will occur to those skilled in the art and it is accordingly intended that the description herein be regarded as illustrative and not limiting except as defined in the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. A massaging device having a plurality of vibration imparting elements mounted for vibration therein, means for vibrating said elements, and an expansible bellows having a plurality of vertically disposed annular pleats in the side walls allowing expansion coaxial withthe vibrating elements, said bellows forming a chamber mounted about said vibrating elements, said bellows having a resilient flat surface mounted as a sheath across and in contact with each of said vibration imparting elements through which the vibrational force thereof is imparted to the subject.

2. A massaging device comprising a rotary motor having a cam disc mounted thereon for rotation thereby, said disc having cam projections adapted to impart a thrust outwardly of both surfaces thereof as the disc is rotated, a plurality of reciprocating rods comprising vibrators mounted to cooperate with the cam projections on said disc for reciprocation thereof, some of said vibrators mounted beneath the projections on one surface of said cam for outward thrust normal to the plane of said disc and others mounted for coaction with the cam projections on the opposite surface of said cam disc for inward pull normal to said plane, said vibrators mounted for outward thrust each having a coil spring in compression resiliently urging said vibrator rods inward towards said disc surface, and said vibrators cooperating with said inward pull projections on saiddisc each. having a coil spring mounted in compression thereabout resiliently urging each of saidinwardly-puiled vibrators outward of said disc surface, whereby upon rotation of said cam disc some of said vibrators are positively thrust outwardly by the cams on one surface thereof and resiliently-returned inrdly by the springs thereabout and the other vibrators are positively pulled inwardly by said cams and resiliently pushed outwardly by the springs thereabout.

A massaging device comprising a rotary motor having a cam disc mounted thereon for rotation thereby, said disc having cam projections on both surfaces adapted to impart a thrust outwardly thereof as the disc is rotated, two concentrically disposed groups of reciprocating rods comprising vibrators mounted on one side of said disc to cooperate with the cam, projections of said disc for reciprocation thereof, the vibrators of the inner group mounted beneath the projections of one surface of said cam for outward thrust thereof and the outer group of vibrators mounted for .coaction with the cam projections on the opposite surface, of said cam disc for inward pull, said vibrators mounted for outward thrust each having. a coilspring in compression resiliently urging said vibrators, inward toward the plane of the cam disc, and said vibrators mounted for inward pull each having a, coil spring mounted in'compression thereabout resilientlyurging each thereofoutward away from the plane of the cam disc,.a:resilientcap forming a housing mounted about and encasing all of said vibrating elements with the lower end of said cap comprising a resilient flat surface mounted as a sheath across and in contact with the reciprocable ends of said vibrating elements to form a cushioning massaging sheath thereover.

i. A massaging device comprising a rotary motor having a cam disc mounted thereon for rotation thereby said disc having cam projections on both surfaces adapted to impart a thrust outwardly of the plane thereof as the disc is rotated, two concentrically disposed groups of reciprocating rods comprising vibrators both mounted near one side of said disc, each mounted to cooperate with the cam projections on one of the disc surfaces for reciprocation thereof, the inner group of vibrators mounted beneath the projections on one surface of said cam for outward thrust thereof and the outer group of vibrators mounted for coaction with the cam projections on the opposite surface of said cam disc for inward pull, said vibrators mounted for outward thrust each having a coil spring in compression resiliently urging said vibrator inward toward the plane of said disc, and said vibrators mounted for inward pull each having a coil spring mounted in compression thereabout resiliently urging each thereof outward of said disc plane, a resilient cap mounted about and encasing all of said vibratingelements to form a housing thereabout with the lower end of said cap stretching across and resiliently bearing against the reciprocable ends of said vibrating elements to form a cushioning massaging sheath thereover, said resilient cap having a plurality of bellows-like folds in the wall thereof for enhanced expansion and contraction resiliently in use.

5. A massaging device having a plurality of vibration imparting elements resiliently mounted for reciprocation therein, means for reciprocating said vibrating elements, a resilient sheathing member encasingthe outer ends of said vibrating elements, said sheathing member being substantially cylindrical in shape having the side walls thereof resiliently gripping said walls of said massaging device and having a plurality of vertisally disposed annular pleats in the cylindrical Walls thereof allowing expansion and contraction as a bellows to a degree substantially exceeding the normal resilience of the resilient substance of said sheathing member, a containerfor massaging fluid mounted on said massaging device, a plurality of openings in said resilient sheathing member allowing passage of massaging fluid therethrough and at least one duct passing from said supply of massage fluid to said openings in said sheathing element whereby massage fluid may be passed outwardly of said massaging device in use said fluid passage being enhanced by variation in air volume contained within said sheathing member by the bellows-like expansion and contraction thereof.

6. A massage device having a plurality of vibration imparting elements resiliently mounted for reciprocation therein, means for reciprocatingsaid vibrating elements, a resilient sheathing member encasing the outer ends of said vibrating elements, a container for massaging fluid mounted on said vibrating device, said sheathing member bearing resilientlyv against each of said reciprocable vibrating elements to resiliently bulge with each reciprocatingthrust of a vibration imparting element andiresiliently return to anormal flat, plane condition, said sheathing element having a slit-like opening penetrating therethrough beneath at least one of said reciprocating vibration imparting elements, at least one fluid duct leading from said supply of massaging fluid to each slit-like opening in said sheathing element to direct passage of fluid thereto.

7. A massaging device having a plurality of elements mounted to impart a vibrating force outwardly thereof by reciprocation of said vibrating elements, means to reciprocate said vibrating elements, a resilient massaging sheath mounted in tension over the ends of said reciprocating vibrating elements, a plurality of slits cut in said resilient sheath immediately beneath at least some of said reciprocating vibrating elements, a container for massaging fluid mounted in said massaging device, a plurality of ducts leading massaging fluid from said container to a point near each slit, and means to impart a controlled degree of heat to said massaging fluid.

8. A massaging device comprising a housing having rotary electric motor mounted therein with a disc fastened to the armature thereof for rotation thereby, a plurality of symmetrically disposed cam projections mounted near the periphery of said disc on the surface adjacent to the motor comprising the inner disc surface, a plurality of symmetrically disposed cam projections concentric with said inner disc surface cam projections and disposed relatively inward thereof on the opposite side of said disc comprising the outer disc surface, two groups of vibrating rods mounted in said housing for reciprocation parallel to the axis of said motor and normal to the plane of rotation of said disc, one of said groups having the vibrating rods disposed annularly concentric with said disc and directly aligned with the inwardly disposed cam projections on the outer disc surface and with the ends 1 of said rods contacting said outer disc surface and cam projections thereon for reciprocation thereof when the disc is rotated, the other group having the vibrating rods disposed concentric with the first group and near the outer peripheral edge of said disc, said second group of rods having their inner ends extending over to coact with the cam projections near the periphery on the inner disc surface adjacent to the motor, each of said reciprocating rods having a coil spring mounted thereabout in compression, those springs of the first group of rods being mounted to urge each rod end against the outer disc surface and cam projections thereon, and those springs of the second group of rods being mounted to urge each rod end against the inner surface of said disc and cam projections thereon, whereby upon rotation of said motor and disc the rods of the first group are positively thrust outwardly of the plane of rotation of said disc and returned resiliently inwardly thereof by the springs thereon and the rods of the second group are positively thrust inwardly of the plane of rotation of said disc and returned resiliently outwardly by the springs thereon, said reciprocating rods being adjusted in length whereby each outer end reciprocates through a common massaging plane comprising an outer surface of said device.

9. A massaging device as defined in claim 8 wherein an outer massaging plane surface is defined by a resilient massaging sheath encasing said rod ends.

10. A massaging device as defined in claim 8 having a resilient massaging sheath encasing the outer ends of said rods, a plurality of slits cut in said sheath immediately beneath at least some of said rod ends, a container for massaging fluid in said massaging device, and means for passing massaging fluid from said container to a point near the slits in said massaging sheath.

11. A massaging device as defined in claim 8 having a resilient massaging sheath mounted in tension over the ends of said reciprocating vibrating elements, a plurality of slits cut in said resilient sheath immediately beneath at least some of said reciprocating vibrating elements, a container for massaging fluid mounted in said massaging device, a plurality of ducts leading massaging fluid from said container to a point near each slit, and means to impart a controlled degree of heat to said massaging fluid.

12. A massaging device as defined in claim 8, means associated therewith for supplying and radiating a controlled degree of heat, a resilient cap having bellows-like folds in the sides thereof and a flat resilient sheet at the bottom thereof housing said reciprocating rods with the resilient sheet stretched over the ends of said rods in tension to define a massaging plane through which said rods reciprocate, a supply of massaging fluid carried by said massaging device having ducts therein mounted to dispense massaging fluid to each of a plurality of openings in said resilient sheath, said means for supplying heat being adapted to warm said device, radiate heat therefrom and impart a controlled degree of heat to said massaging fluid, a housing mounted about some of the side walls of said device having a plurality of heat radiating folds.

13. A massaging device having a plurality of vibration imparting elements resiliently mounted for vibration therein, means for imparting vibratory motion to said elements, a resilient cap comprising a housing surrounding a portion of said massaging device, the end of said cap comprising a sheath resiliently bearing against said vibration imparting elements for receiving and transferring the vibrational force thereof to the outer surface of said sheath, said resilient cap having a plurality of bellows folds in the walls thereof allowing resilient expansion and contraction of said bellows and sheath against said resilient mounting of said vibration imparting elements as manual pressure is applied and released in the application of the massaging device, a supply of massaging fluid, a plurality of slit-like openings cut in said sheath and means for passing massaging fluid from said fluid supply to the inner surface of said sheath whereby upon contraction of said bellows cap with massaging pressure, massaging fluid is expelled through said slit-like openings and upon expansion of the bellows upon release of massaging pressure air passes inwardly into said bellows cap through said slits to equalize the air pressure therein.

14. A massaging device as defined in claim 8 wherein the cam disc is mounted to slide axially on said armature shaft and resilient means mounted between said cam disc and motor about said armature shaft resiliently urging said cam disc outwardly thereof.

15. Massaging device as defined in claim 1 wherein the vibrating elements are actuated by a cam rotatively driven by a motor, said cam being resiliently supported for axial movement inwardly and outwardly responsive to reaction pressures of said vibrating elements in use upon the body being massaged, whereby the volume of the chamber enclosed by said expansible bellows is expanded and contracted by variations in pres- 11 sure of said massagin device against the body in use.

16. A massaging device having a plurality of resiliently mounted vibrating elements mounted for imparting vibrations outwardly of said device by reciprocation of each of said elements, a resilient sheath enclosing the outer ends of said vibrating elements, a plurality of slit in said sheath adapted to be opened under pressure of the vibrating elements distending the same, a fluid supply tanlr and means for passing massa ing fluid from said fluid Supply tank to said slits whereby the outward flow of massaging fluid tthrough the slits is controlled by reciprocation of said vibrating elements.

17. The device defined in claim 16 further having means for supplying heat to said sheath fluid passing therethrough.

18. A massaging device having a plurality of vibration impartin 'elements resiliently mounted for reciprocation therein, a rotary motor having a cam disc mounted on the armature thereof for rotation thereby, said disc having cam projec tions on at least one surface cooperating with said vibrating elements to impart a thrust to each thereof as said disc is rotated, said disc being mounted on said armature shaft for sliding move ment axial thereof and resilient means constraining said disc to a fixed axial position ther on whereby the axial distance of thrust of each vibrating element and reaction thereof upon said disc is cushioned by resilient axial'movernent of disc under pressure of use or" saidmassaging device.

19. A massagin device having a plurality of vibration imparting elementsmounted for vibration by reciprocation therein, each of said vibration imparting elements being supported by a compression spring cushioning the movement thereof in one direction and resiliently returning element to normal in the opposite direction, a cam disc mounted for rotation coacting with the ends of at-least several of said reciprocating ele nents, said cam disc having cam-like projections in contact therewith to impart reciprocating displacement of said elements upon rotation of said disc, said cam-like projections comprising wedge shaped elements each having an in clined plane surface in contact with an end of a reciprocating element in certain angular positicns of rotation of said disc, each said wedge like el ment terminatin in a shoulder normal to the plane of rotation of said'disc whereby a reciprocating element upon rotation of said disc in contact therewith is displaced progressively out wardly of the plane of said disc the height of said inclined plane as the disc rotates, the displacement being abruptly terminated when the shoulder of said wedge is reached to rapidly reciprocatingly return the reciprocating element to the plane of said disc.

20. Massaging device comprising a casing, a disc cam in the casing adapted to be rotated, said cam having the ends of reciprocable rods in contact with its surfaces, saidcam having protuberances on each surface adapted to contact said rod ends to displace said rods vertically for reciprocation during cam rotation, the opposite ends of said rods being encased in a sheath adapted to contact the body for massaging, the protuberances on opposite surfaces of said cam differing, one type imparting even reciprocating movement in both directions and the other imill parting slow movement in one direction and fast disc surface, whereby each rod is reciprocatingly displaced from a disc surface by said protuberances as the cam disc is rotated, the outer ends of both groups'of said rods extendin outwardly of said casing to a massaging zone encased within a resilient sheath, means about each rod resiliently urging it against a disc surface, said cam like protuberances being of two types, one

of said types being evenly rounded symmetrically whereby a rod end in contact therewith is positively thrust outwardly from a disc surface and resiliently returned inwardly in smooth cycles of rod reciprocation, and the other type of protuberance comprising an inclined plane terminating abruptly at its summit, whereby a rod end in contact therewith is positively urged away from the disc surface until the summit is reached and resiliently snapped back to the cam surface in alternating smooth and abrupt cycles of rod reciprocation.

22. The massaging device as defined in claim 2 wherein thecam disc carries protuberances on both faces adapted upon rotation thereof to impart-reciprocation to vibrating elements mounted normal to the'plane of rotation of said cam, the cam-like protuberances on one face being evenly rounded symmetrically in either direction of rotation of said' disc whereby the reciprocating element incontact therewith is thrust outwardly and returned inwardly smoothly by the coil springs reactively holding a reciprocating rod in contact therewith as the disc rotates, and the cam protuberanoes on the opposite surface of said disccomprise inclined planes terminating abruptly at their summits to allow descent vertically upon passing the summit of said reciprocating rod in contact therewith as the discrotates whereby, as urged by the coil spring about the reciprocating element in contact therewith, the reciprocation rod is pulled smoothly inwardly and returned outwardly in a snap action as the summit of said cam is passed,

23. A massaging device comprising a housing, a'plurality of. reciprocating elements in said device mounted to impart a vibrating force outwardly by reciprocation of said elements, means in the device to reciprocate said elements, a con.- tainerfor massaging fluid in said housing, means for heating said container, a plastic sheath .mounted about said device and forming a depending portion of said housing, said plastic sheath comprising a vertically disposed series of deep lobed annular ribs, adapted for ready manual gripping in the handling of said device and for increasing the radition of heat from said device.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,377,140 North May 3, 1921 1,579,679 Wahrt Apr. 6, 1926 2,261,385 'Kaminsky et a1 Nov. 4, 1941 2,467,007 Boyd Apr. 12, 1949

Images