US793527A - Massage apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

N0.79s,527. PATENTED JUNE 27, 1905.

L. KING.

MASSAGE APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAR.17, 190s.

Wa'mscs. 1700676207, w %7-1-M m Patented June 27, 1905.

LORRAINE KING, OF KNEBVVORTH, ENGLAND.

MASSAGE APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No 793,527, dated June 27, 1905.

Application filed March 17, 1903. Serial I10. 148,181.

To all, w/mm, it 77111.7 concern.-

Be it known that I, LORRAINE KING, merchant, asubject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Bardolfes, Knebworth, in the county of Herts, England, have invented an Y Improved Massage Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for use in applying massage in the treatment of human ailments.

In the treatment of maladies or weaknesses by massage it is well known that the strengthening or recuperating effect is dependent upon a peculiar motion of the hand, whereby the necessary pressure, kneading, and friction incidental to such treatment are imparted to the body.

The object of the present invention is to render the said effects obtainable by a convenient form of apparatus, by which the treatment may be self-applied.

\Vith the aid of the apparatus hereinafter described the whole effect of massage is obtainable in a manner at once efficient and easy of accomplishment. The apparatus is, moreover, capable of advantageous employment in the development of the chest and for allaying many distressing symptoms incidental to faulty breathing and neglect or failure in the proper observance of the functions pertaining to other organs of the human body.

The essential feature of the present invention consists in forming a receptacle of some flexible material which will not act deleteriously upon the skin or body and charging the same with shot or other substance in granular form, the charged receptacle being suitably attached to a rigid frame or backing, which may be furnished with a handle or other convenientmeans for use in manipulating the apparatus.

In order that the said invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the same more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is an elevation and partial section of a massage apparatus constructed according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan thereof, and Fig. 3 is an elevation of the massage apparatus furnished with a projecting grippiece for use in operating the same.

In constructing the apparatus I form a receptacle or bag a, of some flexible material, preferably chamois-leather, and charge the same with balls or shot I) or other suitable substance in spherical or granular form. The bag so charged is attached by any convenient means to a backing 0, which may be composed of wood or metal of convenient form for handling, the said backing being provided with a handle (Z. In Figs. 1 and 2 the handle (Z is of the strap form and adapted to be grasped by the hand. The handle may, however, be constructed as shown in Fig. 3, the grip-piece being arranged to project at right angles from the backing and being furnished at its outer extremity with a body (.Z' of spher- -ical or other form, which may be weighted in any convenient manner with a view to facilitating the manipulation of the apparatus and enhancing its effects, or the handle may be adapted for the passage of the hand between it and the backing, the grasp in the latter case being upon the backing direct, as will be readily understood. In the drawings the receptacle is shown attached to the periphery of the backing by means of pins or nails (0. If desired, a padding, of india-rubber or other yielding material, may be applied to the perimeter of the backing, the object being to prevent contact of the hard material with the body when the apparatus is in use. The backing 0 may be formed with an aperture 6, Fig. 2, for use in charging the bag or receptacle, the said aperture being closed by a screwplug a, Fig. 1, or other convenient closing device, such as a pivoted plate.

In using the apparatus I have found the best results to be obtained by charging the bag or receptacle nearly to its full extent with what is commonly known as No. 4 shot and furnishing the backing with a rigid handle, as shown in the accompanying drawings,

capable of being grasped by the hand of the.

user. It will, however, be readily understood that the details of construction may be varied according to circumstances or so as to accommodate the fancies or requirements of different patients. For instance, I do not restrict myself to the employment of No. 4: shot, because shot of other sizes may be used or even bullets. It is, however, essential that the substance employed for charging the receptacle possess the property of rolling when the apparatus is manipulated. In the event of the treatment being required on a part of the body out of the reach of the patient for selfapplication it Will be obvious that the appa- IO ratus may be used by an operator for the purpose of affording the necessary relief.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. Massage apparatus comprising a recep- 5 tacle composed of thin, pliable fabric or ma- O the granular filling being arranged so as to impart flexibility to the apparatus, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described.

2. Massage apparatus comprising a baglike receptacle composed of chamois-leather, a filling of shot, a backing to which the said receptacle is attached and a handle adapted to be grasped by the hand, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. In massage apparatus the combination of a bag-like receptacle, a granular filling,a backing having a charging-aperture, means for closing the said aperture and a handle provided on the said backing, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in presence of two subscribing Witnesses, this 1th day of March, 1903.

LORRAINE KING. Witnesses:

T. SELBY VVARDLE, I/VALTER J. SKERTEN.

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