BODY MASSAGING DEVICE

Abstract

A self-operated apparatus particularly adapted for massaging a user's wrist and forearm affected by repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome comprises two clamping arms hingedly joined at one end and provided with cooperating handles at the other ends. Rollers and balls are mounted on opposite median sections of the arms. The hinged ends of the arms are universally attached to a support that can be strapped over the user's thigh, whereby an arm can be adjustably clamped between the sets of rollers and balls by bringing the two handles together and the arm and wrist massaged by translating and rotating movements of the arm along an axis perpendicular to the mounting axes of the rollers and balls. Either of the arms may include a release operable between an open position and a closed position. When in the open position, the massaging member is removable from the arm and may be replaced by a different massaging apparatus.

Claims

1. A body massaging apparatus, comprising: a first arm comprising a first arm upper end and a first arm lower end, the first arm lower end comprising a pair of elongated members extending outward and separated by a channel, each of the pair of elongated members comprising a slotted guideway having at least one depression; a second arm comprising a second arm upper end and a second arm lower end, the second arm lower end comprising a securing member adapted to be received in the at least one depression of the slotted guideway, wherein the second arm is rotatable in relation to the first arm; a first massaging member secured within a medial section of the first arm; and a second massaging member secured within a medial section of the second arm.

2. The body massaging apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a release operable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the second massaging member is removable from the second arm while the release is in the open position.

3. The body massaging apparatus of claim 2, wherein the release is a latching mechanism having a rotatable member with a cavity and a tab extending outwardly from the rotatable member, the latching member operable between the open position and the closed position.

4. The body massaging apparatus of claim 3, wherein the tab on the latching mechanism is rotated into the closed position by covering the cavity and locking the upper end of the shaft in the latching mechanism.

5. The body massaging apparatus of claim 4, wherein the tab extends outwardly from the latching mechanism.

6. The body massaging apparatus of claim 5, wherein rotating the tab to expose the cavity allows the second massaging member to be replaced with a different massaging member.

7. The body massaging apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a third massaging member, insertable into the second arm of the body massaging apparatus once the second massaging member is removed.

8. The body massaging apparatus of claim 7 wherein the third massaging member is of a different shape and/or material than the second massaging member

9. The body massaging apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first handle integrally connected to, and extending perpendicularly outward from, the first arm upper end; and a second handle integrally connected to, and extending perpendicularly outward from, the second arm upper end.

10. The body massaging apparatus of claim 9, further comprising an extension handle adapted to secure to the first and/or second handles to increase the distance between the first and second arm while the body massaging apparatus is engaged in massaging a human body part.

11. The body massaging apparatus of claim 10, wherein the extension handle comprises: a third elongated member; a body member, the body member integrally connected to the third elongated member; a longitudinal first leg extending perpendicularly outward from the body member; and a longitudinal second leg extending perpendicularly outward from the body member, wherein the longitudinal first leg is parallel to the longitudinal second leg, wherein each of the of the longitudinal first and second legs comprises a plurality of openings adapted to fit over the first and/or second handles.

12. The body massaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the slotted guideway comprises a lower surface, having a plurality of depressions, and an upper surface, wherein the upper and lower surfaces are separated by a distance and the slotted guideway is adapted to receive the securing member between the lower surface and the upper surface.

13. The body massaging apparatus of claim 12, wherein a last opening in the slotted gateway is oval shaped and larger than other openings in the slotted gateway to allow the second arm to be rotated downward and slid out of the slotted guideway.

14. The body massaging apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a stopper adapted to be received into a hollow of the securing member inserted within one slot of the slotted guideway, the stopper adapted to secure the second arm in the body massaging apparatus when inserted into the hollow.

15. A body massaging apparatus, comprising: a first arm comprising a first arm upper end and a first arm lower end, the first arm lower end comprising a pair of elongated members extending outward therefrom and separated by a channel, each of the pair of elongated members defining a slotted guideway in which a second arm may be placed; the second arm comprising a second arm upper end and a second arm lower end, the second arm lower end comprising a securing member adapted to be received in a pair of depressions formed in the slotted guideway on the each of the elongated members in the pair of elongated members, where the second arm is rotatable in relation to the first arm; a first massaging member secured within a medial section of the first arm; and a second massaging member secured within a medial section of the second arm.

16. The body massaging apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first arm further comprises a release, the release having an open position and a closed position such that while the release is in an open position, the first massaging member may be removed from the first arm.

17. The body massaging apparatus of claim 16, wherein the release is a latching mechanism having a rotatable member with a cavity and a tab extending outwardly from the rotatable member, the latching member operable between the open position and the closed position.

18. The body massaging apparatus of claim 15, wherein the second arm further comprises a release, the release having an open position and a closed position such that while the release is in an open position, the second massaging member may be removed from the second arm.

19. A body massaging apparatus, comprising: a first arm comprising a first arm upper end and a first arm lower end, the first arm lower end defining a guideway in which a second arm may be placed; the second arm having a second arm upper end and a second arm lower end, the second arm lower end having a securing member adapted to be received in the guideway; a first massaging member secured within a medial section of the first arm; a second massaging member secured within a medial section of the second arm; and a release having an open position and a closed position in at least one of the first arm or the second arm, the release enabling removal of a respective first massaging member or second massaging member when in the open position.

20. The body massaging apparatus of claim 19 wherein a different massaging member may be inserted into the first or second arm following removal of the respective first massaging member or second massaging member from the body massaging apparatus.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The features, nature, and advantages of the present aspects may become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a first side view of a massaging apparatus.

[0028] FIG. 2 is back left side perspective view of the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0029] FIG. 3 is back right side perspective view of the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a partial close up view of first and second arms of the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a partial view of a latching mechanism of the second arm of the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 1 in a closed position.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a partial view of the latching mechanism of the second arm of the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 1 in an open position.

[0033] FIG. 7 is a partial view of the second arm of the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 1 with the latching mechanism is an open position for changing massaging members.

[0034] FIG. 8 shows the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 1 with the second arm removed.

[0035] FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of an extension handle secured to the second arm of the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0036] FIG. 10 is the extension handle used on the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 9.

[0037] FIG. 11 is a front right perspective view of the extension handle secured to the second arm of the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0038] FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 11 being used on the limb of a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] In the following description, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.

Overview

[0040] Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a body massaging apparatus. The body massager apparatus is a hand-operated, body-massaging apparatus for the preventive or remedial treatment of muscular disorders and more specifically for the treatment of muscles and tendons in the wrists, arms, legs as well as other parts of the body. The apparatus is in the form of a simple, yet efficient device that allows for stable and easily controllable application of rolling pressure to the affected area.

[0041] These and other valuable objects are achieved by a self-operated apparatus body massaging apparatus comprising two arms (for example clamping arms) joined about a base, which can be placed on any surface and positioned to any desired orientation. The arms are adjustable relative to each other, providing for use with varying sized body parts. Support and/or massage members installed in a face-to-face arrangement in medial sections of the arms can be brought to work against body parts while the free upper ends of the arms are held together with the free hand of a user. The apparatus may be adapted for massaging body parts of a user affected by repetitive strain injuries, including but not limited to tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Flexible massaging members may be mounted on or secured within opposite medial sections of the arms. One or more of the arms may include a latching mechanism operable between an open position and a closed position. When in the open position, the user can remove the massaging member and when in the closed position, the massaging member is secured in place.

[0042] A body part may be placed between the two arms of the device to be acted upon by the massaging members, whereby the body part is adjustably clamped between the pair of massaging members and massaged by translating and rotating movements of the body part along an axis perpendicular to the mounting axes of the massaging members.

[0043] Alternatively, the free upper ends of the arms may be held in close proximity to each other, for example by the free hand of the user. The apparatus may compress the body part from opposite sides to enhance blood and lymph circulation through muscle tissue. An extension handle may be utilized in connection with a handle of one of the arms to allow the arms to create a larger opening while still allowing user to hold the handles of both arms together with one hand.

Body Massaging Apparatus

[0044] FIG. 1 is a first side view of a massaging apparatus. FIG. 2 is back left side perspective view of the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is back right side perspective view of the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a partial close up view of first and second arms of the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a partial view of a latching mechanism of the second arm of the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 1 in a closed position. FIG. 6 is a partial view of the latching mechanism of the second arm of the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 1 in an open position. FIG. 7 is a partial view of the second arm of the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 1 with the latching mechanism is an open position for changing massaging members. FIG. 8 shows the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 1 with the second arm removed. FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of an extension handle secured to the second arm of the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is the extension handle used on the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a front right perspective view of the extension handle secured to the second arm of the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 11 being used on the limb of a user. The following discussion refers interchangeably to FIGS. 1-12.

[0045] As shown, the body massaging apparatus 100 may include a first arm 102, having a first arm upper end 102a and a first arm lower end 102b, and a second arm 104, having a second arm upper end 104a and a second arm lower end 104b. The first and second arms 102, 104 may be maintained in an adjustable relationship to each other. That is, the first and second arms 102, 104 may be set by the user at various discrete distances from each other to create a desired gap or space 101 between the first and second arms 102, 104 by moving or rotating one or both of the arms along an axis perpendicular to mounting axes of the massaging member. The size of the gap 101 is adjustable so that the gap can be adapted to receive and accommodate a body part to which the body massaging apparatus 100 is being used on. (See FIG. 12) Large gaps 101 being necessary to accommodate larger body parts, such as legs and arms, with smaller gaps 101 being necessary to accommodate smaller body parts, such as fingers.

[0046] A first handle 116 may be integrally connected to, and extend perpendicularly outward from, the first arm upper end 102a and a second handle 118 may be integrally connected to, and extend perpendicularly outward from, the second arm upper end 104a. Although the first and second handles 116, 118 are shown as having elongated tubular configurations, this is by way of example only and the first and second handles 116, 118 may utilize any configuration known in the art and may be solid instead of tubular.

[0047] The first arm lower end 102b may include a first elongated member 106 (See FIG. 1) integrally connected to, and extending perpendicularly outward from, a first side of the first arm 102 and a second elongated member 108 (See FIG. 2) may be integrally connected to, and extending perpendicularly outward, from a second side of the first arm 102. The first elongated member 106 may be separated from the second elongated member 108 forming a space or channel 109 adapted or configured to receive the second arm lower end 104b of the second arm 104. Both the first and second elongated members 106, 108 have closed end preventing the second arm 104 from sliding out of the first and second elongated members 106, 108.

[0048] Each of the first and second elongated members 106, 108 may have a generally rectangular configuration and include a slotted guideway 112 and 114, respectively, (See FIGS. 1 and 2) having corresponding discrete pairs of depressions along its lower surface and a flat surface separated by a distance allowance for insertion of the securing member 120. The upper surface is flat. The depressions may be adapted or configured to receive and engage with a securing member 120 located on the second arm lower end 104b allowing the second arm 104 to rotate relative to the first arm and along an axis perpendicular to the mounting axes of massaging members, described below.

[0049] The securing (or massaging) member 120 may be integrally connected to the second arm lower end 104b and adapted to be received within the slotted guideways 112, 114 each having a plurality of depressions on the lower surface. For example, the securing (or massaging) member 120 may be inserted into the slotted guideway 112, 114 of the first arm 102 and then aligned with one of the pairs of depressions (that is a depression from each of the slotted guideways 112, 114) to achieve a desired relative positioning of the first and second arms 102, 104. Next, the second arm 104 may be pivoted into a substantially parallel orientation to the first arm 102, causing the securing member 120 to engage with a pair of depressions and maintain the spacing of the arms 102, 104 as desired. As described above, a user may place a body part, such as a limb, between the two arms of the apparatus (See FIG. 12) to be acted upon by massaging members 126a, 126b secured to each of the arms 102, 104, whereby the body part is adjustably clamped between the pair of massaging members 126a, 126b and massaged by translating and rotating movements of the body part along an axis perpendicular to the mounting axes of the massaging members 126a, 126b.

[0050] According to one aspect, a base 122 may be integrally connected to the bottom surfaces of the slotted guideways 112 and 114 at the first arm lower end 102b. The base 122 may have an arcuate shape according to one example. The base 122 may be made of, or covered with, a high-stick, non-skid material, so that the body massaging apparatus 100, when placed on a surface, remains substantially in place during use. The base 122 of the body massaging apparatus 100 may also be used as a handle to support the position and movement of the body massaging apparatus 100, for example, when the body massaging apparatus 100 is used on a leg (rather than moving the leg through a stationary device, the body massaging apparatus 100 is moved over the stationary leg). In this example, the user's other hand grasps the first and second handles 116, 118 to regulate pressure being applied to the leg.

[0051] The first arm 102 may have an outer surface 102c and an inner surface 102d separated by and integrally connected, to an inner wall 102e of the first arm 102. According to one aspect, the thickness of the inner wall 102e may be smaller than the widths of the outer and inner surfaces 102c, 102d forming a ridge or lip 103 allowing for a user to easily grasp the first arm 102. The inner surface 102d may have a first opening or cavity 124 adapted or configured to receive a first securing (or massaging member) 126a. According to one example, the outer surface 102c of the first arm 102 may have a generally continuous arcuate shape while the inner surface 102d may include an upper portion 102d1, a medial portion 102d2 and a lower portion 102d3 where the medial portion 102d2 is integrally connected between the upper portion 102d1 and the lower portion 102d3. The medial portion 102d2 may be connected to the upper portion 102d1 by an upper edge portion 102d4 and the lower portion 102d3 by a lower edge portion. According to one example, the upper edge portion 102d4 and the lower edge portion 102d5 may extend substantially perpendicularly outward from the upper and lower ends of the medial portion 102d2 creating or forming the first cavity 124 in the first arm 102. Although all portions 102d1-102d3 are shown having an arcuate shape, this is by way of example only. The upper portion 102d1 and the lower portion 102d3 are located within a first vertical plane and the medial portion 102d2 is located within a second vertical plane where the first vertical plane is different than the second vertical plane.

[0052] According to one aspect, the upper edge portion 102d4 of the inner surface 102d of the first arm 102 may include a first aperture 128a and the lower edge portion 102d5 of the inner surface 102d of the first arm 102 may include a second aperture 128b. The first massaging member 126a may include a roller, for example, secured or mounted to a substantially rigid shaft 130 adapted or configured to be received within the first and second apertures 128a, 128b securing the first massaging member 126a to the first arm 102. Alternatively, the shaft 130 may be made from any flexible material known in the art. The first massaging member 126a may be rotatable by the roller rotating around the shaft 130 or the shaft 130 being rotatable when secured within the first and second apertures 128a, 128b. The roller may be formed of any type of material known in the art such as foam, rubber or plastic.

[0053] The second arm 104 may have an outer surface 104c and an inner surface 104d separated by and integrally connected to an inner wall 104e. According to one aspect, the thickness of the inner wall 104e may be smaller than the widths of the outer and inner surfaces 104c, 104d forming a ridge or lip 105 allowing for a user to easily grasp the second arm 104. The inner surface 104d of the second arm may have a second opening or cavity 132 adapted or configured to receive a second massaging member 126b. According to one example, the outer surface 104c may have a generally continuous arcuate shape while the inner surface 104d may include an upper portion 104d1, a medial portion 104d2 and a lower portion 104d3 where the medial portion 104d2 is integrally connected between the upper portion 104d1 and the lower portion 104d3. The medial portion 104d2 may be connected to the upper portion 104d1 by a latching mechanism 107. The latching mechanism 107 may include a rotatable member having a cavity 107a adapted to removable receive a first end of a shaft 131 of a second massaging apparatus 126b, the second end of the shaft 131 may be removable received in and opening 135 in a lower edge portion 104d5 of the second arm 104 as described in more detail below. The latching mechanism 107 may further include a tab 107b extending outwardly from the rotatable member. The tab 107b allows for a user to easily rotate the rotatable member to expose the cavity 107a so the user can pull out the shaft 131 of the second massaging member 126 and replace with a different type of massaging member, such as massaging member 126c in FIG. 7, allowing the user to change the massaging member based on the user's needs. Each massaging member has a shaft, like the shaft 131 in the massaging member 126b, which can be inserted into the opening 135 and the cavity of the latching mechanism 107. Once in place, the tab 107b is rotated locating the massaging member into the arm. The shaft 131 may be rigid or alternatively, the shaft 131 may be flexible.

[0054] According to one example, an upper edge portion 104d4 and the lower edge portion 104d5 may extend substantially perpendicularly outward from the medial portion 104d2 creating or forming the second cavity 130 in the second arm 104. Although all portions 104d1-104d3 are shown having an arcuate shape, this is by way of example only and may have any other shape. The upper portion 104d1 and the lower portion 104d3 are located within a first vertical plane and the medial portion 104d2 is located within a second vertical plane where the first vertical plane is different than the second vertical plane. The latching mechanism 107 may be integrally connected to and located above the upper edge portion 104d4.

[0055] According to one aspect, the inner surface 104d of the second arm 104 may include a an aperture 136 adapted to receive the second end of the shaft 131 while the first end of the shaft 131 may be received within the cavity 107a of the latching mechanism 107 as described above. The rotatable member of the latching member 107 may further be rotated using the tab 107b providing the latching member 107 to be operable between an open position and a closed position. When in the open position, the cavity 107b is exposed allowing the first end of the shaft 131 to be pulled outwardly and the second end of the shaft to be pulled upwardly out of the aperture 136 allowing the second massing member to be removed and replaced. Although the latching member 107 is illustrated on the second arm 104, this is by way of example only and the latching member 107 may be located on the first arm 102 or the first and second arm may include latching members allowing for both massaging members to be removed and replaced or exchanged. When the first and second arms 102, 104 of the body massaging apparatus 100 are used together, a user may place or insert a body part between them allowing the user to perform various different desired therapy techniques known in the art. (See FIG. 7)

[0056] Turning to FIG. 7, a partial view of the second arm of the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 1 with the latching mechanism in an open position for changing massaging members is shown. As discussed above, the latching mechanism 107 has a rotatable member with a cavity 107b and a tab 107a extending outwardly from the rotatable member, the latching member 107 is operable between an open position and a closed position. In FIG. 7 the latching member 107 is shown in an open position. As can be seen in FIG. 7, the second massaging member 126a has been removed. The first end of the shaft 131 has been removed from the cavity 107b allowing the second end of the shaft 131 to be pulled upward out of the opening 135 in the lower edge portion 104d5 of the second arm 104. While the latching member 107 is in the open position a lower end of the shaft 134 of a third massaging member 126c may be inserted into the opening 135 in the lower edge portion 104d5 of the second arm 104 and an upper end of the shaft 134 may be placed in the cavity 107b and the tab 107a rotated to the left securing the third massaging member 126c into the body massing apparatus. This allows a user to change the massaging member to adapt to the needs of the user.

Second Arm Removable

[0057] FIG. 8 shows the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 1 with the second arm removed. As discussed above, each of the first and second elongated members 106, 108 may have a generally rectangular configuration and include slotted guideways 112 and 114, respectively, (See FIGS. 1 and 2) having corresponding discrete pairs of depressions or openings along its lower surface. The depressions may be adapted or configured to receive and engage with a securing member 120 located on the second arm lower end 104b allowing the second arm 104 to rotate relative to the first arm and along an axis perpendicular to the mounting axes of massaging members, described below. The securing member 120 may be hollow and adapted to receive a stopper 121 which is used to prevent the second arm 104 from being removed from the slotted gateway 112, 114 of the first arm. To remove the second arm from the slotted gateway, the securing member 120 is slid to the outermost pairs of depressions which are larger than the other depressions and have a more oval configuration. When the securing member 120 is in the last pair of depressions (See FIG. 9), the second arm may be rotate into a position that fits within the oval and allows the second arm 104 to rotate downward. Once rotated downward, the stopper 131 may be removed (or slid out from the securing member 120) allowing the second arm to be separated from the slotted gateway. The stopper 131 locks the securing member 120 into the slotted gateway.

Massaging Apparatus—Extension Handle

[0058] FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of an extension handle secured to the second arm of the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is the extension handle used on the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a front right perspective view of the extension handle secured to the second arm of the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the body massaging apparatus of FIG. 11 being used on the limb of a user. The following discussion refers interchangeably to FIGS. 9-12.

[0059] An extension handle may be utilized to allow the user to easily grab the first and second handle 116 and 118 with a single hand (See FIG. 12). As described above, the body massaging apparatus 100 may include a first arm 102, having a first arm upper end 102a and a first arm lower end 102b, and a second arm 104, having a second arm upper end 104a and a second arm lower end 104b. The first and second arms 102, 104 may be maintained in an adjustable relationship to each other. That is, the first and second arms 102, 104 may be set by the user at various discrete distances from each other to create a desired gap or space 101 between the first and second arms 102, 104 by moving or rotating one or both of the arms along an axis perpendicular to mounting axes of the massaging member. The size of the gap 101 is adjustable so that the gap can be adapted to receive and accommodate a body part to which the body massaging apparatus 100 is being used on. (See FIG. 12) Large gaps 101 being necessary to accommodate larger body parts or limbs, such as arms, with smaller gaps 101 being necessary to accommodate smaller body parts, such as legs.

[0060] As can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 11, an extension handle 140 may be utilized with the body massaging apparatus described in the present disclosure. The extension handle 140 may be detachably secured to the first or second handles 116, 118 of the first and second arms 102, 104 for easily allowing a user to extend the opening while still being able to hold the massaging apparatus in an open configuration with a single hand. (See FIG. 12)

[0061] The extension handle 140 may comprise an elongated member 142 connected to a body member 144. A longitudinal first leg 146 and a longitudinal second leg 148 extend perpendicularly outward from the body member. The longitudinal first leg 146 is separate from and parallel to the longitudinal second leg 148. Each of the longitudinal first leg 146 and the longitudinal second leg 148 includes a plurality of openings or recesses 150 for attaching to the first and/or second handles 116, 118. The shape of the openings 150 are configured to fit over the first and/or second handles 116, 118 and the size of the openings is adapted to fit over a handle and be held in place. Although four (4) openings are shown in each of the longitudinal first leg 146 and the longitudinal second leg 148, this is by way of example only and the first and second leg 146, 148 may include more than four (4) openings 150 or less than four (4) openings 150. The plurality of openings 150 allow the user to place the handle into the appropriate opening to allow for the user to grab both handles despite the size of the limb placed between the two arms. FIG. 12 show a limb located between the two messaging members and the handle on the second arm located in a second opening which allows the extension handle to extend out far enough so the user can grasp both handles with one hand. Alternatively, the extension handle 140 may include only a single longitudinal leg or the extension handle may include more than two longitudinal legs.

[0062] While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention is not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.