MASSAGE ROLLER ASSEMBLY WITH INFRARED LIGHT THERAPY

Abstract

A massage roller assembly that includes an outer roller surface, and a plurality of infrared light members positioned adjacent to the outer roller surface and configured to direct infrared light outwardly. The massage roller assembly can be cylindrical, spherical or other shape.

Claims

1. A massage roller assembly comprising: an outer roller surface, and a plurality of infrared light members positioned adjacent to the outer roller surface and configured to direct infrared light outwardly.

2. The massage roller assembly of claim 1 further comprising a main body portion that includes a plurality of light recesses defined therein, wherein each light recess includes at least one of the plurality of infrared light members therein.

3. The massage roller assembly of claim 2 further comprising a plurality of light covers that are positioned to cover the infrared light members such that light can be emitted through the light covers.

4. The massage roller assembly of claim 1 further comprising a main body portion and an outer cover with a plurality of openings defined therethrough, wherein the openings are positioned to allow light emitted by the plurality of infrared light members to be directed therethrough.

5. The massage roller of claim 4 wherein the plurality of openings each include a light cover disposed therein.

6. The massage roller of claim 5 wherein the main body portion includes a plurality of light recesses defined therein, wherein each light recess includes at least one of the plurality of infrared light members therein.

7. The massage roller assembly of claim 6 wherein the main body portion defines a roller interior, and wherein the infrared light members are electrically communicated with a battery positioned in the roller interior.

8. The massage roller assembly of claim 1 comprising a cylindrical shape that defines a roller axis.

9. The massage roller assembly of claim 8 wherein the plurality of infrared light members are arranged parallel to the roller axis.

10. The massage roller assembly of claim 1 comprising a spherical shape.

11. A massage roller assembly comprising: a main body portion that includes a plurality of light recess defined therein, wherein each light recess includes at least one infrared light member disposed therein, wherein the main body portion defines a roller interior including a battery positioned therein, and an outer cover with a plurality of openings defined therethrough, wherein each opening includes a light cover disposed therein, wherein the infrared light members are positioned adjacent to the light covers and are configured to direct infrared light outwardly, wherein the infrared light members are electrically communicated with the battery.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cylindrical massage roller assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the massage roller assembly;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional end view of the massage roller assembly;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a massage roller assembly;

[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a spherical massage roller assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0025] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the massage roller assembly.

[0026] Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an embodiment in the present disclosure can be, but not necessarily are references to the same embodiment; and, such references mean at least one of the embodiments. If a component is not shown in a drawing then this provides support for a negative limitation in the claims stating that that component is “not” present. However, the above statement is not limiting and in another embodiment, the missing component can be included in a claimed embodiment.

[0028] Reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “a preferred embodiment” or any other phrase mentioning the word “embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the-disclosure and also means that any particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with one embodiment can be included in any embodiment or can be omitted or excluded from any embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others and may be omitted from any embodiment. Furthermore, any particular feature, structure, or characteristic described herein may be optional. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments. Where appropriate any of the features discussed herein in relation to one aspect or embodiment of the invention may be applied to another aspect or embodiment of the invention. Similarly, where appropriate any of the features discussed herein in relation to one aspect or embodiment of the invention may be optional with respect to and/or omitted from that aspect or embodiment of the invention or any other aspect or embodiment of the invention discussed or disclosed herein.

[0029] The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotation marks: The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the same context, whether or not it is highlighted.

[0030] It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than one way. Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein. No special significance is to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.

[0031] Without intent to further limit the scope of the disclosure, examples of instruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are given below. Note that titles or subtitles may be used in the examples for convenience of a reader, which in no way should limit the scope of the disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control.

[0032] It will be appreciated that terms such as “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “side,” “short,” “long,” “up,” “down,” “aft,” “forward,” “inboard,” “outboard” and “below” used herein are merely for ease of description and refer to the orientation of the components as shown in the figures. It should be understood that any orientation of the components described herein is within the scope of the present invention.

[0033] Referring now to the drawings, which are for purposes of illustrating the present invention and not for purposes of limiting the same, the drawings show a massage roller assembly that includes therapeutic lighting. FIGS. 1-6 show embodiments of two massage roller assemblies that include infrared lighting distributed around the massage roller assembly and that provide infrared light therapy while using the roller assembly. FIGS. 1-4 show a cylindrical massage roller assembly 10 and FIGS. 5-6 show a spherical massage roller assembly 11. It will be appreciated that other shapes are within the scope of the present invention. For example, see U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/745,555, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein, and which shows a peanut shaped massage roller assembly.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the massage roller assembly 10 generally includes a main body portion or inner shell 12 that defines a roller axis A1 and includes an outer roller surface 14, an outer cover 16, and a plurality of infrared or therapeutic light members 18. The outer roller surface 14 of the inner shell 12 is not necessarily the surface used for contact with a user. As shown in FIG. 3, the outer roller surface 14 is inside the outer cover 16. However, in another embodiment the outer cover can be omitted. In another embodiment, the outer roller surface is the outer surface of the outer cover 16. In a preferred embodiment, the inner shell 12 that may include separate halves or portions. The inner shell 12 preferably houses the battery 22 and the motor and associated components if the roller is a vibrating roller.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 5-6, the massage roller assembly 11 generally includes a spherical main body portion or shell 12 that defines a roller axis A1 and an outer cover 16 having an outer roller surface 14. All description related to the cylindrical roller assembly 10 is applicable to the spherical massage roller assembly 11 and vice versa. The shell 12 may be a single hollow piece (see FIG. 2) or may include separate halves or portions (see FIG. 6). The shell 12 preferably houses one or more batteries 22 for powering the device and the electronics of the device, which may include a controller, PCB, memory or other components for controlling and operating the device. The housing halves can be held together with threaded fasteners, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0036] For example, the massage roller assembly 10 may include an electronics assembly 23 located at the end of the cylinder (see FIGS. 1 and 2) or within the shell 12 and/or anywhere else in the massage roller assembly. See, e.g., exemplary control buttons 26. A display or screen (touch screen or non-touch screen) can also be included. The buttons can be used for on/off, cycling through different lighting patterns or intensities, changing speeds of vibration, connecting to Bluetooth, etc.). A charging and/or connecting port 28 can also be included.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, in a preferred embodiment, the shell 12 includes light recesses 30 that are configured to receive the infrared light members 18. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the light members 18 are shown in or on strips 32 that are electrically connected via wires 24 to the battery 22. The light recesses 30 are preferably open to the outside of the shell 12, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6. Separate light recess 30 can be used for each light, if desired. In a preferred embodiment, the outer cover 16 includes openings 35 defined therethrough that include a lens or light cover 36 positioned therein. As shown in FIG. 3, the light covers 36 are positioned over the infrared light members 18 so that light is emitted through the light covers 36 during use. The covers can be transparent or opaque, as desired. In another embodiment, the light recesses can be omitted. In another embodiment, the outer cover can be omitted and the covers can be positioned in the light recesses 30 in the main body portion 12 to cover the light members 18. The shell 12 preferably includes wire openings 38 defined therein for directing wires into the interior of the shell 12. FIGS. 2 and 6 show one or more of the light members 18 exploded from the shell 12 and shows the wires 24 exploded therewith, but extending into the wire openings 38. As shown in FIG. 3, if the inner shell or main body portion is thick, the wire openings 38 may be tunnels that extend into the interior to guide the wires to the appropriate location so that the lights 18 are electrically and/or data communicated with the PCB, battery 22, electronics assembly 23, etc., as appropriate. The outer cover 16, together with the light covers 36, surround and cover the shell 12 and light members 18 for a user to roll on. The lights 18 transmit or emit light through the light covers 36 and radially outwardly from the massage roller assembly.

[0038] It will be appreciated that the light members 18 can be arranged in any desirable pattern so that they emit lights outwardly from the massage roller. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the light covers 36 (and the associated lights) may only be included on a portion of the massage roller. Furthermore, FIG. 4 shows the elongated light covers 36 extending circumferentially as opposed to lengthwise or axially as is shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 shows lights and the associated light covers 36 distributed individually around the spherical massage roller assembly 11. The cylindrical massage roller assembly 10 can also include this feature. The outer circumference or outer circumferential surface of the massage roller assembly 10 or 11 or outer cover 16 thereof may include any number of lights or light sections (e.g., 1-1000 or any number in between). Furthermore, the lights can be grouped into any number of sets (a set can include from 1 to all lights) that can be turned on independently or as desired. The electronics assembly can include the ability to cycle through different light patterns or intensities where certain one or more sets emit light for a first period of time and then one or more different sets emit light for a second period of time, etc.

[0039] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling of connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

[0040] The above-detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the teachings to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of and examples for the disclosure are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Further, any specific numbers noted herein are only examples: alternative implementations may employ differing values, measurements or ranges.

[0041] Although the operations of any method(s) disclosed or described herein either explicitly or implicitly are shown and described in a particular order, the order of the operations of each method may be altered so that certain operations may be performed in an inverse order or so that certain operations may be performed, at least in part, concurrently with other operations. In another embodiment, instructions or sub-operations of distinct operations may be implemented in an intermittent and/or alternating manner.

[0042] The teachings of the disclosure provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. Any measurements or dimensions described or used herein are merely exemplary and not a limitation on the present invention. Other measurements or dimensions are within the scope of the invention.

[0043] Any patents and applications and other references noted above, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Aspects of the disclosure can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the disclosure.

[0044] These and other changes can be made to the disclosure in light of the above Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments. While the above description describes certain embodiments of the disclosure, and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the teachings can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its implementation details, while still being encompassed by the subject matter disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features or aspects of the disclosure with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the disclosures to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification unless the above Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the disclosure encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosure under the claims.

[0045] While certain aspects of the disclosure are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of the disclosure in any number of claim forms. For example, while only one aspect of the disclosure is recited as a means-plus-function claim under 35 U.S.C. § 112,¶6, other aspects may likewise be embodied as a means-plus-function claim, or in other forms, such as being embodied in a computer-readable medium. (Any claims intended to be treated under 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶6 will include the words “means for”). Accordingly, the applicant reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the disclosure.

[0046] Accordingly, although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that all the terms used herein are descriptive rather than limiting, and that many changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.