WO2002005742A1

WO2002005742A1 - Apparatus for massaging a human body

Info

Publication number: WO2002005742A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/019406
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas N. Campbell
Original assignee: Campbell Thomas N
Priority date: 2000-07-17
Filing date: 2000-07-17
Publication date: 2002-01-24
Also published as: AU2000261043A1

Abstract

An apparatus for massaging a human body including a supporting structure having a receptacle arranged thereon, a connector having an end adapted for removable receipt within the receptacle of the supporting structure, and a massaging head affixed to an opposite end of the connector and extending outwardly therefrom. The massing head is adapted to directly contact the human body. The massaging head can have a spherical or an ellipsoid configuration. The receptacle has a female threaded area. The connector has a male threaded portion at one end. The male threaded portion is removably engaged within the female threaded area.

Description

APPARATUS FOR MASSAGING A HUMAN BODY

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to massage devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices for carrying out pain therapies on a human body. Additionally, the present invention relates to acupuncture and deep tissue massaging apparatus which are adapted for attachment to a wall or a door jamb or to a humanly held tool.

BACKGROUND ART

Deep tissue massage and acupressure applied to body muscles serves to stimulate circulation and to soothe and relax the muscles. Various devices have been employed which facilitate this process. Particularly, the user will utilize a tool which can be suitably manipulated so as to deeply penetrate the muscles and to enter the areas between bones of the human body. Such massaging activities have a wide variety of therapeutic purposes. Unfortunately, many persons are unable to afford or to have access to such professional services on a regular basis.

Although deep tissue massage and acupressure are extremely useful to patients, patients often have a great deal of difficulty in continually visiting professionals for such therapy. Under certain circumstances, elderly persons or disabled persons lack the ability to travel. In other circumstances, certain people do not have sufficient money to pay for the services. As such, the benefits of such constant and repeated therapies are often missed. As such, a need has developed so as to allow such persons to easily carry out the therapy at home.

Persons that are seeking professional therapy for pain often lack the ability to carry out therapy massage at home. In many circumstances, the persons that require therapy do not have another person at home to help carry out the activity. In other circumstances, the tools used for such therapy are not available at home. Still, in other circumstances, even if these tools were available at home, there would be a lack of ability to properly install such tools and to utilize the therapy resulting from the use of such tools.

In the past, various patents have issued relating to massaging devices. U. S. Patent No. 1,833,426, issued on November 24, 1931 to H. Knudson, describes a spine corrector which is adjustably mounted upon parallel guide members. The corrector includes a pair of massaging members which are mounted in spaced relationship to each other and are provided with a depending or downwardly extending tenon which is adapted to slidably engage between the parallel guide members. The massaging members are of a configuration to conform to the configuration of the spinal column and are provided with a plurality of upstanding rubbing or spinal column engaging members which are spacedly positioned along the outer edge of the massaging members.

U. S. Patent No. 3,107,665, issued on October 22, 1963 to O. N. Nordgren, describes a massaging device which has a plate with a plurality of blades extending upwardly therefrom. Each of the blades includes teeth having a tapered pyramid-shaped point. The teeth can be placed in engagement with the muscle to be massaged so as to stimulate circulation.

U. S. Patent No. 3,279,463, issued on October 18, 1966 to H. S. Krimmel, describes a therapeutic massaging device which has two plate-like members that are integrally attached together and arranged at right angles to each other. Pintle members are integrally attached to the plate members and extend therefrom parallel to each other in longitudinal rows. The pintle members are generally cylindrical and taper from the end adjacent to the plate members to the outer end and terminate in a generally spherical end. The device is adapted to be attached to a corner of a door frame.

U. S. Patent No. 4,452,237, issued on June 5, 1984 to T. K. Lewis describes an apparatus used to administer therapeutic acupressure to various points of the human body. This device includes a plate vertically mounted on a wall structure, an arm having one end rotatably connected to an upper portion of the plate, a bar secured to the opposite end of the arm and extending outwardly therefrom, and a knob member removably attached to the remote free end of the bar.

U. S. Patent No. 4,633,857, issued on January 6, 1987 to N. Czerski describes a massager with a vertical guide column which has a piston/cylinder unit and toothed racks mounted at the side of the guide column. The toothed racks engage pinions which hold the brushes which are mounted in housing halves which slide up and down on the guide column.

U. S. Patent No. 5,820,573, issued on October 13, 1998 to G. M. Ramos, describes a massage device having a flat base which includes rigid pressure nibs or blades which contour to the length of an adult human body. The device operates by arranging the massage elements including buttocks, back, shoulder and neck modules with pressure nibs or blades to match the contoured surface of the back side of the person. The person then lies upward facing on the device with massage pressure applied across the entire body for the desired therapeutic effect.

Unfortunately, none of these prior art devices are particularly configured for applying deep tissue muscle massage, or for massaging the areas of the human body between bone structures. Furthermore, these devices are not adapted for easy attachment to a wall or a door jamb. Additionally, and furthermore, these devices are not adapted so as to allow for interchangeable sizes of massaging heads.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which can massage a human body.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which is suitable for massaging a particular point of the human body.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that allows for interchangeable massaging heads.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that can be easily attached to a wall or a door jamb in the home of a patient.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which can perform the massaging technique without the need for visiting a professional.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which allows for massaging activities to be carried out by the elderly, by persons living alone, and by other infirm persons.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a massaging apparatus which is easy to use, relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an apparatus for massaging a human body which comprises a supporting structure having a receptacle arranged thereon, a connector having an end adapted for removable receipt within the receptacle of the supporting structure, and a massaging head affixed to an opposite end of the connector and extending outwardly therefrom. The head is adapted to directly contact the human body.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the supporting structure comprises a panel having a channel formed therein. The panel is adapted to be secured to a wall. A carrier element is received within the channel of the panel. The receptacle is formed on this carrier element. The channel has a first wall and a second wall with a plurality of holes formed longitudinally therealong. The carrier element is fixedly positioned within the channel by engagement with one of the plurality of holes. The carrier element is a block which is slidably received within the channel. The block has an arm extending therefrom. The arm has an insert element affixed thereto and extends outwardly therefrom. The insert element is selectively engagable with one or more of the plurality of holes. The receptacle has a female threaded area. The connector has a male threaded portion at one end. The male threaded portion is removably engaged within the female threaded area. The massaging head can either be of a generally spherical or ellipsoid configuration.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, the supporting structure comprises a first plate, a second plate, and a joining element connected to the first and second plates such that the first plate resides in spaced parallel relationship to the second plate. The j oining element is adapted to sandwich a door jamb between the first and second plates. The joining element comprises a carriage affixed to at least one of the first and second plates and extending therebetween. The receptacle is formed on the carriage. The joining element further includes a first bolt and a second bolt extending between the first and second plates in spaced parallel relationship to each other. Each of the first and second bolts has a head extending outwardly from one of the plates and a nut affixed on an opposite side of another of the plates.

In a third embodiment of the present invention, the supporting structure comprises a T- shaped member having a first arm and a second arm extending in longitudinal alignment and a central member having a longitudinal axis transverse to the first and second arms. The receptacle is formed at an end of the central member opposite the arms. The arms are adapted for receipt within respective human hands. The central member has a length which is less than a length of the first and second arms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the supporting structure as used for the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the connector and massaging head of the present invention.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the connector and massaging head of the present invention.

FIGURE 4 illustrates the installation of the massaging apparatus of the present invention on a wall.

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken across lines 5 - 5 of FIGURE 1 and showing the connector and the massaging head attached thereto. FIGURE 6 is an isolated view of the carrier element as used with the present invention.

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the massaging apparatus of the present invention.

FIGURE 8 is an end view of the massaging element of FIGURE 7 with the massaging head and connector removed therefrom.

FIGURE 9 is an end view showing the installation of the supporting structure of the alternative embodiment of FIGURE 7 upon a door jamb.

FIGURE 10 is a side view showing the plates which form the supporting structure of this alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 11 is a plan view showing the wrench used for the installation of the device of FIGURE 7.

FIGURES 12A - C show various carrier elements, connectors and massaging heads as used with the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 13 is a frontal view showing the second alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 14 is an end view of the alternative embodiment of FIGURE 7 showing another type of massaging head attached thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Referring to FIGURE 1, there is shown at 10 the supporting structure for an apparatus for massaging a human body. The supporting structure 10 includes a panel 12 having a channel 14 formed therein. The panel 12 is adapted to be secured to a wall on its back side 16. A carrier element 18 is received within the channel 14 of the panel 12. A receptacle 20 is formed on the carrier element 18. The channel 14 has a first wall 22 and a second wall 24 with a slide surface 26 extending therebetween. As can be seen, the first wall 22 has a plurality of holes 28 formed longitudinally therealong. The carrier element 18 is fixedly positioned with at least one of the plurality of holes 28. Each of the plurality of holes 28 is evenly spaced from an adjacent hole. As can be seen, each of the plurality of holes has a longitudinal axis extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis associated with channel 14.

The supporting structure 10, as shown in FIGURE 1, includes a carrier element 18 which is in the form of a block 30 which is slidably received within the channel 14. The block 30 has an arm 32 extending outwardly therefrom. As will be described hereinafter, the arm 32 includes an insert element which extends outwardly therefrom. The insert element associated with arm 32 is selectively engagable with one of the plurality of holes 28. It can also be seen in FIGURE 1 that a second arm 34 extends upwardly from an opposite side of the block 30 so as to be engagable with a corresponding hole formed on the wall 24 of channel 14.

In FIGURE 1 , it can be seen that the supporting structure 10 can be formed of any generally rigid material. The length of the channel 14 should be suitably adapted so as to conform with the expected locations of the various to-be-massaged areas associated with the human body. In one form of this supporting structure 10, the panel 12 and the channel 14 can have a height generally corresponding to the height of the human body. In other circumstances, the length of the panel 12 can be suitably shortened so as to be in a location adjacent to the commonly massaged areas of the human body. The supporting structure 10, as shown in FIGURE 1 , is adapted for use as a generally permanently installed installation, either in the home or in the chiropractor's office. The panel 12 should be of a suitably rigid material, such as plastic, metal or similar materials.

In FIGURE 1, it can be seen that the carrier element 18 includes the receptacle 20 for the receipt of a connector and a massaging head. Female threads 36 are formed on the interior of the receptacle 20.

So as to carry out the assembly of the apparatus of the present invention, a connector 38, as shown in FIGURE 2, should be threadedly received within the receptacle 20 of the supporting structure 10. It can be seen that a massaging head 40 is affixed to one end ofthe connector 38. The opposite end 42 of connector 38 has a threaded portion 44 formed thereon. The threaded portion 44 can be a male threaded portion which is matingly received by the female threaded area 36 associated with the carrier element 18.

In FIGURE 2, the massaging head 40 has a generally spherical configuration. The massaging head can be made of a generally rigid material, such as plastic or metal. If desired, a pliable material can be affixed to the exterior surface ofthe massaging head 40. The "bluntness" ofthe massaging head 40 is particularly desirable for deep tissue massaging or wide area massaging.

FIGURE 3 shows an alternative form ofthe massaging head. In FIGURE 3, it can be seen that massaging head 46 is secured to one end ofthe connector 38. Within the concept ofthe present invention, the massaging heads 40 and 46 are not interchangeable. The interchangeability lies in the replacement ofthe connector 38. The massaging heads, either massaging head 40 or massaging head 46, are fixedly attached to the end ofthe connector 38. The massaging head 46 has a generally ellipsoid shape with a narrow end 48 opposite the connector 38. As can be seen, either of the connectors 38, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, can be inserted into the receptacle 20 formed on the carrier element 18 of supporting structure 10.

In FIGURE 4, the supporting structure 10 is secured to a wall 50 and above a floor 52. The supporting structure 10 can be fixedly mounted to the wall 50 at a desired location above the floor 52. Typically, the supporting structure 10 will be affixed in the area into which the massage activity is desired. It can further be seen that the massaging head 40 extends outwardly from the connector 38. Connector 38 will be received within the receptacle ofthe supporting structure 10.

FIGURE 5 shows, as a cross-sectional view, the connector 38 with its ellipsoid head 46 as received within the receptacle 20 associated with carrier element 18. The connector 38 is threadedly received within the receptacle 28. The massaging head 46 will extend outwardly from the opposite end ofthe connector 38 from the receptacle 20. The carrier element 18 is illustrated as positioned within the channel 14. The plurality of holes 28 extend lengthwise in evenly spaced relationship along the wall 24 of the channel 14. The arm 32 is illustrated as extending upwardly from the carrier element 18. The back surface 16 of the panel 12 can be secured to the wall 50 (as shown in FIGURE 4).

Within the concept of the present invention, the arm 32, along with its associated insert element, is but one way of fixedly, but adjustably, retaining the carrier element 18 in a desired position within the channel 14. Various other techniques of removably positiomng the carrier element 18 within the channel 14 can be considered within the present invention. For example, dowel rods, spring members, latches, plates, or pins can also be used so as to properly secure the block 30 ofthe carrier element 18 in its desired position.

FIGURE 6 illustrates, with particularity, the configuration ofthe block 30 which forms the carrier element 18. The block 30 has a width which is suitable for being received between the walls 22 and 24 ofthe channel 14. Arm 32 extends upwardly from one side ofthe block 30 while the arm 34 extends upwardly from an opposite side of the block 30. Insert element 52 extends outwardly from arm 32. Similarly, an insert element 54 extends outwardly from the arm 34. The arms 32 and 34 should be sufficiently flexible and spring-like so as to allow for the insert elements 52 and 54 to engage within respective holes 28 while allowing, with suitable manual manipulation, the removal of the insert elements 52 and 54 from their respective holes. The receptacle 20 is illustrated as formed centrally within the block 30.

FIGURE 7 shows an alternative embodiment 60 of the present invention. Apparatus 60 includes a supporting structure 62 with a connector 64 removably received therein and a massaging head 66 extending outwardly from an opposite side ofthe connector 64. The supporting structure 62 includes a first plate 68 and a joining element 70 arranged so that the plate 68, along with another plate on the opposite side, sandwich door jamb 72 therebetween. A carriage 74 is affixed to at least one ofthe plates and extends therebetween. A receptacle 76 is formed on this carriage 78.

In FIGURE 7, it can further be seen that the plates are secured across the door jamb 72 through the use of bolt-and-nut arrangement 78 and 80. It can be seen that the nuts associated with these arrangements 78 and 80 have a particular and peculiar shape. These nuts should be suitably sized so as to allow for easy manipulation by an elderly or infirm person.

In FIGURE 7, it can be seen that the connector 64 is threadedly received within the receptacle 76 associated with carriage 74. The massaging head 66 is affixed to the opposite end of the connector 64 in the manner described herein previously in conjunction with FIGURES 2 and 3.

In FIGURE 8, the massaging head 66 has been removed for the purposes of illustration. The door jamb 72 is sandwiched between the first plate 68 and a second plate 82. The carriage 74 is affixed to at least one of the plates 68 and 82 so as to have the receptacle 76 opening from an outward surface thereof. In one mode ofthe present invention, the back surface ofthe carriage 74 can abut the surface ofthe door jamb 72. A first bolt 84 has a head 86 extending outwardly of one side ofthe plate 82. The bolt will extend across the door jamb 72 so as to be received by nut 88 on the opposite side of plate 68. Similarly, another bolt 90 will extend across the door jamb 72 so as to have its end secured within a nut 92 located on the opposite side of plate 68. The second bolt 90 has a head 94 residing on an opposite side ofthe plate 82. These nut-and-bolt arrangements can be suitably tightened so as to securely mount the apparatus 60 across the door jamb 72. The receptacle 76, as illustrated in FIGURE 8, is in a suitable position for receiving one ofthe connectors with its associated massaging head.

In FIGURE 9, it can be seen with more particularity how the bolt 84 extends across the door jamb 70 between the plate 82 and the plate 68. The bolt 84 has head 86 abutting one side of plate 82 and the nut 88 abutting the opposite side of plate 64. Similarly, the second bolt 90 has a head 94 on one side ofthe plate 82 and a nut 92 on an opposite side ofthe plate 68. The nuts 88 and 92 can be tightened so as to compressibly sandwich the door jamb 72 therebetween.

FIGURE 10 illustrates the arrangement of plate 82 as having holes 96 and 98 formed thereon. Plate 82 overlaps the frame 100 ofthe door jamb 72. The holes 96 and 98 are positioned in the area beyond the edge ofthe door jamb 72. In FIGURE 11, it can be seen that there is a special wrench 102 with an opening 104 specially configured to match the shape of the nuts 88 and 92 associated with bolt-and-nut arrangements 78 and 80. This special configuration will allow the elderly or infirm to properly manipulate the respective nuts so as to secure the massaging apparatus to the door jamb 72.

FIGURES 12A and 12C show various arrangements of massaging heads as secured to the carriage. In FIGURE 12A, a round shape massaging head 106 is secured to connector 108 attached within the carriage 110. FIGURE 12B shows how a generally spherical massaging head 112 can be secured within the carriage 110. Finally, FIGURE 12C shows how a generally ellipsoid massaging head 114 can be secured within the carriage 110. The carriage 110 is of a standard configuration. Similarly, the connector 108 will have a threaded area which mates with the corresponding threads ofthe carriage 110 so as to allow for the interchangeability ofthe various heads 106, 112 and 114. FIGURE 13 shows still another alternative embodiment 200 ofthe present invention. The alternative embodiment 200 is a "hand tool" which can be used with the connectors 202 and the massaging heads 204. In FIGURE 13, it can be seen that the supporting structure 206 is a T-shaped member having a first arm 208 and a second arm 210 extended in longitudinal alignment across a top of the T-shaped member. A central member 212 extends downwardly and generally transverse to the longitudinal alignment ofthe arms 208 and 210. The receptacle 214 is formed at an end ofthe central member 212 opposite the arms 208 and 210. The arms 208 and 210 have a suitable size for receipt within human hands. So as to allow for proper manipulation ofthe massaging head 208, the central member 212 will have a length less than the length of either ofthe first and second arms. In FIGURE 13, it can be seen that the massaging head 204 has a generally spherical configuration. The connector 202 includes a suitable threaded area which can be received within a corresponding threaded area in the receptacle 214 at the end ofthe central member 212.

FIGURE 14 shows how the massaging head 216 has a generally ellipsoid configuration. Massaging head 216 can be connected to connector 218 for securing within the receptacle 214 associated with the central member 212 ofthe apparatus 200.

The embodiment ofthe apparatus 200, as shown in FIGURES 13 and 14, is configured so as to allow the interchangeable massaging heads to be utilized in a two-person massaging arrangement. One person can manipulate the arms 208 and 210 so as to force the massaging heads 204 and/or 216 in massaging contact with the human body.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details ofthe illustrated construction can be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

CLAΓMSI CLAIM:

1. An apparatus for massaging a human body comprising: a supporting structure having a receptacle arranged thereon; a connector having an end adapted for removable receipt within said receptacle of said supporting structure; and a massaging head affixed to an opposite end of said connector and extending outwardly therefrom, said massaging head adapted to directly contact the human body.

2. The apparatus of Claim 1, said supporting structure comprising: a panel having a channel formed therein, said panel adapted to be secured to a wall; and a carrier element received within said channel of said panel, said receptacle being formed on said carrier element.

3. The apparatus of Claim 2, said channel having a first wall and a second wall, at least one of said first and second walls having a plurality of holes formed longitudinally therealong, said carrier element being fixedly positioned within at least one of said plurality of holes.

4. The apparatus of Claim 3, each of said plurality of holes being evenly spaced from an adjacent hole, each of said plurality of holes having a longitudinal axis extending transverse to said channel.

5. The apparatus of Claim 3 , said carrier element being a block slidably received within said channel, said block having an arm extending therefrom, said arm having an insert element affixed thereto and extending outwardly therefrom, said insert element being selectively engagable with one of said plurality of holes.

6. The apparatus of Claim 2, said receptacle being a female threaded area, said connector having a male threaded portion at one end, said male threaded portion being removably engaged within said female threaded area.

7. The apparatus of Claim 1, said massaging head having a generally spherical configuration.

8. The apparatus of Claim 1, said massaging head having an ellipsoid configuration with a narrow end opposite said connector.

9. The apparatus of Claim 1 , said supporting structure comprising: a first plate; a second plate; and a joining element connected to said first and second plates such that said first plate resides in spaced parallel relationship to said second plate, said joining element adapted to sandwich a door jamb between said first and second plates.

10. The apparatus of Claim 9, said joining element comprising: a carriage affixed to at least one of said first and second plates and extending therebetween, said carriage having said receptacle formed thereon.

11. The apparatus of Claim 10, said joining element further comprising: a first bolt extending between said first and second plates; and a second bolt extending between said first and second plates, said second bolt being in spaced parallel relationship to said first bolt, each of said first and second bolts having a head extending outwardly of one of said first and second plates.

12. The apparatus of Claim 11 , said first bolt having a nut threadedly secured thereto on a side of another of said first and second plates, said second bolt having a nut threadedly secured thereto on a side of another of said first and second plates.

13. The apparatus of Claim 12, each ofthe nuts of said first and second bolts having an identical shape, the apparatus further comprising: a wrench removably engagable with each ofthe nuts, said wrench having an opening corresponding to said identical shape so as to receive said identical shape of said nuts therein.

14. The apparatus of Claim 10, said carriage comprising a block having said receptacle formed therein, said block being compressively received between said first and second plates, said block having a back surface adapted to abut a surface ofthe door jamb.

15. The apparatus of Claim 14, said receptacle having a female threaded area, said connector having a male threaded portion at one end, said male threaded portion removably engaged within said female threaded area.

16. The apparatus of Claim 9, said massaging head having a spherical configuration.

17. The apparatus of Claim 9, said massaging head having an ellipsoid configuration with a narrow end opposite said connector.

18. The apparatus of Claim 1, said supporting structure comprising: a T-shaped member having a first arm and a second arm extending in longitudinal alignment along a top of said T-shaped member, said T-shaped member having a central member with a longitudinal axis transverse to the longitudinal alignment of said first and second arms, said receptacle being formed at an end of said central member opposite said first and second arms.

19. The apparatus of Claim 18, said first and second arms adapted for receipt respectively within human hands, said central member having a length less than a length of said first and second arms.

20. The apparatus of Claim 18, said receptacle having a female threaded area, said connector having a male threaded portion at one end, said male threaded portion removably engaged within said female threaded area.