US3727608A - Massaging device driven by exercise apparatus - Google Patents

Massaging device driven by exercise apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US3727608A
US3727608A US00189354A US3727608DA US3727608A US 3727608 A US3727608 A US 3727608A US 00189354 A US00189354 A US 00189354A US 3727608D A US3727608D A US 3727608DA US 3727608 A US3727608 A US 3727608A
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Prior art keywords
belt
responsive
set forth
motion
massaging
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00189354A
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English (en)
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L Simsian
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Individual
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Individual
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
    • A63B22/06—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with support elements performing a rotating cycling movement, i.e. a closed path movement
    • A63B22/0605—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with support elements performing a rotating cycling movement, i.e. a closed path movement performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H15/00—Massage by means of rollers, balls, e.g. inflatable, chains, or roller chains
    • A61H15/0078—Massage by means of rollers, balls, e.g. inflatable, chains, or roller chains power-driven
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/12—Driving means
    • A61H2201/1253—Driving means driven by a human being, e.g. hand driven
    • A61H2201/1261—Driving means driven by a human being, e.g. hand driven combined with active exercising of the patient

Definitions

  • a massaging device comprises a belt which is coupled to an exercise apparatus operated by muscle power.
  • the belt when fastened around a body portion is cyclically tightened and slackened responsive to the motion imparted to the apparatus.
  • the belt may include bulb-like resilient massaging elements which inflate and deflate responsive to applied pressure.
  • the belt comprises stretchable material.
  • This invention refers to a massaging device which is operated responsive to the expenditure of muscle power and, more specifically, refers to a massaging belt which is adapted to surround a portion of the human body and which causes a massaging action in response to the operation of an exercise apparatus, such as a bicycle or a rowing device.
  • the apparatus provides output motion in response to physical effort, for instance by operating foot pedals or moving a lever in reciprocating motion and the like.
  • the massaging belt is coupled to the output motion and is cyclically tightened and slackened in response to such output motion so as to provide a steady massaging action while the operator of the exercise device expends physical effort. In this manner the present device serves as an exercise device while simultaneously providing a massaging action.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of certain mechanisms shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the massaging belt usable in connection with the present apparatus.
  • FIG. 8 is a partial view of an alternative embodiment ofthe massaging belt
  • FIG. 9 is a view along line 99 in FIG. 8;
  • FIGS. 1 through 4 there is shown a particular embodiment of the present invention in the form of a stationary exercise bicycle.
  • the bicycle comprises a stationary frame 10 made largely of tubular material and including several feet ll, 12 and 13.
  • the bicycle includes a handle bar 14 supported by a vertical frame 0 member 15 and a seat 16 supported from a vertical frame member 17.
  • a box-like enclosure 18 is mounted slidingly upon two vertical tube members 19 and 20 and is adjustable in its vertical position by being positioned along the tubes 19 and 20 relative to the seat 16.
  • a foot pedal mechanism 22 as is known from bicycles, is mounted to the frame 10 and includes two disks 24 and 26, FIG. 4, which are set. into rotation responsive to the operation of the foot pedal mechanism 22.
  • the disks 24 and 26 are connected to one another by a cross pin 28 which supports one end of a lever 30, see
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the massaging belt
  • FIG. 11 is a vertical view of a portion of a further alternative embodiment of the massaging belt.
  • FIG. 12 is a view along line 12-12 in FIG. 11;
  • FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the massaging belt
  • FIG. 14 is a view along line 14-14 in FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a still further alternative embodiment ofa massaging belt.
  • a cable or cord 32 most suitably a flexible resilient fabric cable, which is fed around a pulley 34 fastened by a U-clamp member to the tubular member 17.
  • the flexible cord splits into two portions 32A and 323, each of which feeds over a respective pulley 36.
  • the respective ends of the flexible'cord are then fastened to the ends 40A and 40B of a flexible belt 40, see FIG. 3, which serves as the massaging device when it surrounds a portion of the body of the person operating the exercise apparatus.
  • the belt 40 is made of two parts in order that its girth is adjustable by means of pressure sensitive fastening strips 42 as are well known in the textile trade under the trademark Velcro.
  • the pedal mechanism includes means to provide a realistic feel when operated.
  • a pad 23, FIG. 1 presses against the periphery of disks 24 and 26.
  • the pad 23 is suspended by an arm portion 25 which is mounted for pivotal motion to a pin 27 mounted to the frame 10.
  • the frictional pressure of the pad against the disks is adjusted by operation of the screw 29.
  • the pin 28 rotates and alternately tightens and slackens the cord 32 which, in turn, cyclically tightens and slackens the massaging belt 40 to provide a massaging action.
  • a person sitting on. the seat and steadying himself by means of holding the handle bar 14 and simultaneously steadying his back against the box-like enclosure 18 receives a massaging action by virtueof the cyclic compression and relaxation of the massaging belt as the ends of the massaging belt are pulled and released by the cord 32.
  • the belt 40. is provided, moreover, with individual massaging elements 44 which, in the present example, are bulb-like elements, such as rubber bulbs with vent means in order to inflate and deflate responsive to force applied to the bulb enclosure as will be more clearly apparent from the description hereafter.
  • the present apparatus includes, furthermore, a locking mechanism which is adapted to lock the apparatus in the position wherein the massaging belt is in its tightened condition in order to permit the operator to tighten the massaging belt around himself and feel the maximum pressure which he will experience during .operation of the exercise apparatus.
  • This feature prevents unexpected and excessive pressure when operating the exercise apparatus. Excessive pressure might possibly lead to pain or cause even serious injury.
  • the locking mechanism comprises a notch 50 in the disks 24 and 26, this notch being adapted to receive a pin 52 mounted to a lever 54 which is urged toward the notch by a spring 56 which causes flexing of a thinned portion disposed below the clamping portion 58.
  • Cam locking mechanism 60 serves to secure the lever 54 so i that the pedal mechanism is free for rotation. It will be understood that when using the present apparatus the pin 52 engages the notch 50 and that in this position the operator mounts the exercise apparatus, secures the belt aroundhis body, tightens the belt to the maximum pressure desired, then quickly disengages the pin and locks the pin 52 and lever 54 in the open position by means of the locking mechanism 60 and operates the pedal mechanism. The spring 56 urges the lever 54 toward the cams 24 and 26 when the cam locking mechanism is released.
  • variable gear ratio mechanism may be coupled between the foot pedal means and the lever 30 so as to slow down or speed up the cyclic tightening and slackening of the massaging belt.
  • the gear ratio mechanism may be provided with a flexible cable, as used in bicycles, for adjusting the transmission ratio in discrete steps.
  • FIG. 5 An alternative embodiment of the present exercise apparatus is shown in FIG. 5 wherein the arm and shoulder muscles are exercised rather than the legs and muscles responsive to leg motion.
  • a handle bar 66 coupled to a lever 68, the latter being pivotally fastened to a pin 70,.FIG. 6, which is secured in a set of ears 72, only one such ear being visible in FIG. 5.
  • the flexible cord 32, FIG. 6 is fastened to the'lower end of the lever 68 and as the lever 68 is pivoted 'back and forth about the axis of pin 70, the cord 32 is cyclically tightened and slackened as described heretofore in connection with FIGS. 1 through 4.
  • the illustration in FIG. 5 inare evident from the drawings.
  • FIG. 7 shows a typical embodiment of the massaging belt.
  • the cord 32 has two end portions 32A and 328 which are fastened to the respective belt ends 40A and 408.
  • the pressure sensitive girth adjustment means 42 is clearly seen and is required, of course, to accommodate different circumferences.
  • the bulb-like elements 44 are fastened to the inside of the belt 40, typically a nylon or fabric belt, and include a valve means 45 which acts as a differential valve in a manner that air 'from the inflated elements 44 is permitted to escape to ambient only slowly, but air from the ambient to the inside of the bulb-like element occurs rather rapidly.
  • the elements 44 are molded from rubber material so that the enclosure is yieldable or distortable responsive to applied force.
  • the belt has cut-outs to receive therein a portion of the respective element and the elements are bonded to the belt by commercial adhesives.
  • FIGS. 8 and 9 show a slightly different construction of the belt.
  • Each resilient massaging element 80 is provided with a set of hooks 82 which are secured to the belt 84 by being fed through holes 81a.
  • the elements are similar to the elements 44 shown in FIG. 7.
  • the typical cut-out 81 is clearly visible in FIG. 8.
  • a two layer belt as previously described, is provided with respective cut-outs and each cut-out is fitted partially with a resilient massaging element 92 which has at each end an axial extension 94 and 96 attached to the belt by means of reinforcing clamps 98.
  • the massaging element is adapted to rotate about its axis as the belt is cyclically tightened and slackened. This rotation causes a rolling action during the massaging process.
  • FIGS. 11 and 12 A similar construction is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 wherein the massaging element 100 is mounted upon a tube 102 having a small vent hole 104.
  • the various tubes 102 are fastened to a thin flexible frame comprising strips of phosphor bronze 106 spot welded together.
  • the frame is covered by a fabric 106a to provide protection.
  • the tubes 102 are adapted to turn in the frame members 106 so that the massaging elements 100 also can rotate responsive to the motion of the belt during the cyclic tightening and slackening motion.
  • FIGS. 13 and 14 A further alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 wherein the massaging elements comprise raised portions 110 of a contoured sheet. Each raised portion has a vent hole 112 through the belt.
  • the contoured sheet with its bulb-like raised portions 110 is suitably adhesively fastened to the inside surface'of the belt.
  • a molding or vulc'anizing process may be used depending on the materials.
  • FIG. 15 shows a further alternative embodiment of.
  • the belt which omits the individual massaging elements.
  • the belt is made of rubberized or otherwise resilient material which is adapted to stretch and contract in response to the forces applied to the respective belt ends. This construction will be particularly useful when the cord connecting the belt to the motion of the exercise apparatus is made also of a flexible material so that a large degree of resiliency is achieved.
  • An apparatus of the type described comprising:
  • exercising means providing 7 mechanical motion responsive to the expenditure of muscle power
  • a massaging belt having two ends adapted to surround a portion of the human body
  • said exercising means including means adapted to undergo rotating motion in response to the expenditure of muscle power.
  • said exercising means including foot pedal means adapted to undergo motion responsive to the expenditure of muscle power, and a seat.
  • said exercising means including a back rest.
  • said exercising means including means adapted to undergo reciprocating motion in response to the expenditure of muscle power.
  • An apparatus as set forth in claim I and including means for adjusting the muscle power required to provide said mechanical motion.
  • said belt including a plurality of yieldable inflatable elements mounted for contact with the body, and including vent means for discharging fluid from said elements to enable the shape of said elements to distort responsive to external pressure as caused by the tightening of the belt and for enabling the elements to resume their original shape and charge with fluid responsive to the slackening of the belt.
  • said belt including elastic material which is adapted to stretch and contract.
  • An apparatus of the type described comprising:
  • foot pedal means mounted to said frame and disposed for rotation by a person sitting on said seat means and supporting himself on said handle bar;
  • a massaging belt adapted to surround a body portion of a person operating said pedal means, and said belt including a plurality of bulb-like resilient air filled elements for contact with such body portion, each element having orifice means adapted to provide communication between the interior of such element and ambient to charge such element with air or discharge air therefrom responsive to force applied to its outside;
  • said means connecting including a flexible cord.
  • An apparatus of the type described comprising:

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Cardiology (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Massaging Devices (AREA)
  • Finger-Pressure Massage (AREA)
US00189354A 1971-10-14 1971-10-14 Massaging device driven by exercise apparatus Expired - Lifetime US3727608A (en)

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US18935471A 1971-10-14 1971-10-14

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Cited By (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3861382A (en) * 1973-10-11 1975-01-21 Luther G Simjian Exercise and massaging apparatus
US3899115A (en) * 1974-07-10 1975-08-12 Luther G Simjian Exercise and massaging apparatus
US3915158A (en) * 1974-08-09 1975-10-28 Luther G Simjian Exercise and massaging apparatus
US3915159A (en) * 1974-09-23 1975-10-28 Luther G Simjian Exercise and massaging apparatus
US3945637A (en) * 1974-11-14 1976-03-23 Simjian Luther G Exercise and massaging apparatus
FR2316980A1 (fr) * 1975-07-10 1977-02-04 Simjian Luther Appareillage d'exercice physique et de massage
US4043552A (en) * 1975-06-13 1977-08-23 Kerkonian Siragan K Exerciser seat
US4148478A (en) * 1977-01-14 1979-04-10 Chaparral Industries, Incorporated Exerciser apparatus
EP0174747A3 (en) * 1984-08-14 1987-09-02 Tai-Her Yang Optionally passive or active bicycle-type exerciser with massage means
US4846156A (en) * 1984-04-06 1989-07-11 Kopnicky Robert J Quadra-limbular therapeutic exercise machine
US5016870A (en) * 1990-02-09 1991-05-21 Bulloch Russell G Exercise device
USD336122S (en) 1991-08-29 1993-06-01 Patrice Vasseur Physical training apparatus
USD336499S (en) 1991-08-29 1993-06-15 Vasseur Patrice Physical training apparatus
USD337140S (en) 1991-08-29 1993-07-06 Patrice Vasseur Physical training apparatus
WO2004032818A1 (de) 2002-10-04 2004-04-22 Norbert Egger Selbstbewegende massagevorrichtung
US20050202937A1 (en) * 2004-03-02 2005-09-15 Kao Pin Cheng Exerciser having actuatable massage device
US20060009720A1 (en) * 2004-07-07 2006-01-12 Hung-Chun Chung Abdominal fitness equipment installable on a chair
US20070049470A1 (en) * 2005-08-29 2007-03-01 Johnson Health Tech Co., Ltd. Rapid circuit training machine with dual resistance
US20130260964A1 (en) * 2012-04-02 2013-10-03 Rexon Industrial Corp., Ltd. Exercise apparatus
US20130260967A1 (en) * 2012-04-02 2013-10-03 Rexon Industrial Corp., Ltd. Support frame for exercise apparatus
US20130260966A1 (en) * 2012-04-02 2013-10-03 Rexon Industrial Corp., Ltd Support frame for exercise apparatus

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE238867C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) *
US1507554A (en) * 1921-04-11 1924-09-02 John J Cooper Exercising apparatus
DE647592C (de) * 1937-07-08 Wilhelm Gottsauner Antriebsvorrichtung mit Ausnutzung menschlicher Koerperkraefte durch Stemm- und Zugbewegungen
US2154831A (en) * 1936-12-23 1939-04-18 Boris S Herman Massaging and cleansing device

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE238867C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) *
DE647592C (de) * 1937-07-08 Wilhelm Gottsauner Antriebsvorrichtung mit Ausnutzung menschlicher Koerperkraefte durch Stemm- und Zugbewegungen
US1507554A (en) * 1921-04-11 1924-09-02 John J Cooper Exercising apparatus
US2154831A (en) * 1936-12-23 1939-04-18 Boris S Herman Massaging and cleansing device

Cited By (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3861382A (en) * 1973-10-11 1975-01-21 Luther G Simjian Exercise and massaging apparatus
US3899115A (en) * 1974-07-10 1975-08-12 Luther G Simjian Exercise and massaging apparatus
US3915158A (en) * 1974-08-09 1975-10-28 Luther G Simjian Exercise and massaging apparatus
US3915159A (en) * 1974-09-23 1975-10-28 Luther G Simjian Exercise and massaging apparatus
US3945637A (en) * 1974-11-14 1976-03-23 Simjian Luther G Exercise and massaging apparatus
US4043552A (en) * 1975-06-13 1977-08-23 Kerkonian Siragan K Exerciser seat
FR2316980A1 (fr) * 1975-07-10 1977-02-04 Simjian Luther Appareillage d'exercice physique et de massage
US4148478A (en) * 1977-01-14 1979-04-10 Chaparral Industries, Incorporated Exerciser apparatus
US4846156A (en) * 1984-04-06 1989-07-11 Kopnicky Robert J Quadra-limbular therapeutic exercise machine
EP0174747A3 (en) * 1984-08-14 1987-09-02 Tai-Her Yang Optionally passive or active bicycle-type exerciser with massage means
US5016870A (en) * 1990-02-09 1991-05-21 Bulloch Russell G Exercise device
USD336499S (en) 1991-08-29 1993-06-15 Vasseur Patrice Physical training apparatus
USD336122S (en) 1991-08-29 1993-06-01 Patrice Vasseur Physical training apparatus
USD337140S (en) 1991-08-29 1993-07-06 Patrice Vasseur Physical training apparatus
WO2004032818A1 (de) 2002-10-04 2004-04-22 Norbert Egger Selbstbewegende massagevorrichtung
US20050202937A1 (en) * 2004-03-02 2005-09-15 Kao Pin Cheng Exerciser having actuatable massage device
US7121985B2 (en) * 2004-03-02 2006-10-17 Kao Pin Cheng Exerciser having actuatable massage device
US20060009720A1 (en) * 2004-07-07 2006-01-12 Hung-Chun Chung Abdominal fitness equipment installable on a chair
US20070049470A1 (en) * 2005-08-29 2007-03-01 Johnson Health Tech Co., Ltd. Rapid circuit training machine with dual resistance
US20130260964A1 (en) * 2012-04-02 2013-10-03 Rexon Industrial Corp., Ltd. Exercise apparatus
US20130260967A1 (en) * 2012-04-02 2013-10-03 Rexon Industrial Corp., Ltd. Support frame for exercise apparatus
US20130260966A1 (en) * 2012-04-02 2013-10-03 Rexon Industrial Corp., Ltd Support frame for exercise apparatus
US9039581B2 (en) * 2012-04-02 2015-05-26 Rexon Industrial Corp., Ltd. Exercise apparatus
US9044639B2 (en) * 2012-04-02 2015-06-02 Rexon Industrial Corp., Ltd. Support frame for exercise apparatus
US9180337B2 (en) * 2012-04-02 2015-11-10 Rexon Industrial Corp., Ltd. Support frame for exercise apparatus

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