MULTIPURPOSE HANDHELD MASSAGE TOOL

Abstract

This device is a handheld tool intended for use on one's self or another to provide various types of Massage therapy including: Direct Compression, Acupressure, Trigger Point Therapy, Muscle Scraping/Gua Sha, Lymphatic Drainage and Myofascial Release. The size and solid-body construction of this device make it easy to hold, easy to control, and quite durable. The unit is comprised of two distinct parts, a Knuckle Structure and a ball base.

The Knuckle Structures are distributed around and embedded in the ball base in a tetrahedral arrangement. The Knuckle Structures emerge from the ball base at graduated heights allowing for varying depths of penetration of the Knuckle Structures which allows for a greater level of safety and control when providing Trigger Point Therapy, Cross Friction Massage, and compressive forms of Myofascial Release. The sides of the Knuckle Structures provide a rounded edge, especially well-suited for Muscle Scraping which are gentler than those currently offered in other devices. The angles made by the juxtaposition of the Knuckle Structures and the ball base produce approximately V-shaped edges appropriate for lymphatic drainage. The smooth rounded surface of the ball-base itself is similarly appropriate for working on sensitive structures, where no penetration is desired, or for producing a stimulatory effect on underlying inflammation.

Claims

1. A unique point of contact for massage therapy devices modeled after the human knuckle, comprising: a. two intersecting fillet ovoid bodies whose heads closely overlap and whose bases form an approximately a 65-degree angle, where b. the head of one ovoid body slightly protrudes through the other producing a narrow and softly edged point of contact, whereby the described point of contact allows for the very specific and controlled manual application of force, and whereby the described point of contact may be mounted on a variety of handles or bodies for use in manual massage therapy devices.

2. A unique point of contact for massage therapy devices, comprising: a. the ovoid bodies which create the point of contact described in claim 2, where b. the side edges of the ovoid bodies provide a firm rounded edge, and whereby this rounded edge may be used as a point of contact in manual massage therapy devices.

3. A hand-held device for manual massage therapy, comprising: a. A spherical base which fits easily in the hand to allow for a comfortable grip and a high level of control, and b. multiple points of contact as described in claims 1 and 2 distributed around the spherical base in a tetrahedral arrangement, and c. embedded in the spherical base at staggered depths, whereby each point of contact produces a different depth of penetration into the structure being massaged.

4. A unique point of contact for massage therapy devices, comprising: the angle created between each point of contact as descried in claim 1 and the sphere base as described in claim 3, and whereby the rounded edge between the two bodies produces a surface suitable for either vigorous or more gentle types of stroking massage depending on the amount of force applied.

5. A method for direct compression massage, wherein the device described in claim 3: a. provides specific direct compression of tight muscle fibers and fascia by the operator pushing the point of contact described in claim 1 directly into a muscle or soft tissue structure, and b. provides diffuse type direct compression of soft tissue structures by the operator pushing the spherical base described in claim 3 directly into the soft tissue structure, and whereby direct compression of soft tissue structures causes a localized loosening of tight muscle fibers, tendon fibers, and fascia.

6. A method for trigger point massage, wherein the device from claim 3: a. provides direct compression of a painful knot within a muscle body with the point of contact described in claim 1, and b. produces of a pain referral pattern through direct compression of the described painful knot, whereby sustained compression gradually decreases and eliminates the described pain and referral pattern.

7. A method for Acupressure, wherein the device from claim 3: provides direct compression of a tender point along a meridian line with the specific point of contact described in claim 1, whereby sustained compression of the tender point increases energetic flow through the treatment area.

8. A method of cross-friction massage, wherein the device from claim 3: provides a scraping type of force with the point of contact described in claim 1, and whereby the application of such force causes a breakdown of scar tissue and increase in circulation at the point of contact.

9. A method of muscle scraping, wherein the device from claim 3: provides a scraping type of force with the point of contact described in claim 2, and whereby the application of such for causes a breakdown of scar tissue and increase in circulation at the point of contact.

10. A method of lymphatic drainage massage, wherein the device from claim 3: Produces a gentle stroking pressure with the point of contact described in claim 4, and whereby the headward application of gentle force stimulates movement of stagnant inflammation back into the lymphatic system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0014] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are schematic representations of the Front, Side, Top, and Isometric views, respectively, of the unique point of contact of the preferred device referred to as the knuckle structure.

[0015] FIGS. 2A & 2B are schematic representations of Front and Isometric exploded views of the preferred device, respectively, which illustrate the arrangement of the knuckle structures around the ball base.

[0016] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D are schematic representations of from Front, Side, Top, and Oblique views of the preferred device, respectively.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a use scenario of the preferred device for a Direct Compression type of massage.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a use scenario of the preferred device for a Cross Friction type of massage.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a use scenario of the preferred device for a Muscle Scraping type of massage.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a use scenario of the preferred device for a Lymphatic Drainage type of massage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] The following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention is not intended to limit the invention to these preferred embodiments, but rather to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use this invention.

1. Unique Points of Contact for Massage Tools

[0022] The Knuckle Structure, whose composition is shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C & 1D possesses a raised edge (COMPONENT 4) which is created by the overlapping of two oblong, ovoid bodies (COMPONENTS 2 and 3). This edge provides a specific point of contact that can be used for both Compressive and Cross-Friction types of Massage. Four such Knuckle Structures are arranged around a spherical or ball base in a tetrahedral arrangement as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0023] The Knuckle Structures are embedded in the ball base at staggered depths as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D, thereby creating four points of contact with graduated lengths (COMPONENTS 5-8). A grooved edge (COMPONENT 9) is created by the juxtaposition of each Knuckle Structure and the ball base.

2. A Device for Compressive and Cross-Friction Types of Massage

[0024] The assembled unit as shown in FIG. 3A is held by grasping the ball base (COMPONENT 1) opposite the Knuckle Structure (COMPONENTS 5-8) that is selected for therapeutic use. As demonstrated in FIG. 4, compressive force is created by pressing the Knuckle Structure directly into the muscle. Depth of penetration is controlled by both amount of force applied and by the length of which Knuckle Structure (COMPONENTS 5-8) is selected for use. The use of the edge (COMPONENT 4) of the selected Knuckle Structure to create compressive force is appropriate for use in Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Therapy, and Acupressure. As demonstrated in FIG. 5, a back and forth motion can be added to the compressive force to create a Cross-Friction type of Massage.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3A, COMPONENT 5 is the longest and most prominent of the Knuckle Structures. It protrudes approximately 24 mm from the ball base (COMPONENT 1) and allows for the greatest depth of penetration of the four Knuckle Structures (COMPONENTS 5-8). This point of contact is appropriate for use on the largest muscles of the body such as the Gluteus Maximus, the Hamstrings, and the Quadriceps muscle groups.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3C, COMPONENT 6 is the smallest and least prominent of the Knuckle Structures. It protrudes approximately 5 mm from the ball base (COMPONENT 1) and allows for the least depth of penetration of the four Knuckle Structures (COMPONENTS 5-8). This point of contact is appropriate for use on the smallest muscles of the body such as the muscles of mastication, the TMJ, and the Suboccipital muscles.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3C, COMPONENT 7 is the next to smallest of the Knuckle Structures (COMPONENTS 5-8). It protrudes approximately 10 mm from the ball base (COMPONENT 1). This point of contact is appropriate for use on what might be considered midsized muscles of the body such as the muscles in the palm, bottom of the foot, and forearm.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3C, COMPONENT 8 is the second largest of the Knuckle Structures. It protrudes approximately 15 mm from the ball base (COMPONENT 1). This point of contact is appropriate for use on what might be considered large muscles of the body such as the Trapezius, the Rhomboids, and the calf muscles.

2. A Device for Muscle Scraping Type of Massage

[0029] Each Knuckle Structure is comprised of two component parts (COMPONENTS 2 & 3) as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D. The outer fillet edges of these surfaces (COMPONENT 10) provide the point of contact to be used for muscle scraping. These surfaces are much broader (approximately 9 mm per side) than those typically provided in Gua Sha and Muscle Scraping tools (typically 1-3 mm). This allows the force of the pressure to be more widely distributed, thereby reducing the likelihood of breaking small underlying blood vessels which results in bruising.

[0030] The staggered lengths of the four Knuckle Structures (COMPONENTS 5-8) as shown in FIGS. 3A & 3C provide a multitude of potential scraping surfaces. The amount of force that can be applied with the edge of a Knuckle Structure (COMPONENT 10) is proportionate to its length. In other words, the longer the Knuckle Structure (COMPONENTS 5-8), the greater the amount of pressure can be applied. This allows the user to alternate between edges (COMPONENT 10) as needed for greater comfort and level of control.

3. Device for Lymphatic Drainage Massage

[0031] Multiple angles (COMPONENT 9) are created by the juxtaposition of each of the Knuckle Structures (COMPONENTS 5-8) and the Ball Base (COMPONENT 1) as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. These angles and the Ball Base itself are designed for use in Lymphatic Drainage Massage. The ball base is grasped in the hand, and the selected surface is gently applied to the treatment area. Long strokes towards the heart help to push the accumulated lymph fluid back into circulation as demonstrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0032] Variations in the preferred embodiment may include but not be limited to an adjustment in size to accommodate different sized hands, an adjustment of the length of protrusion of the Knuckle Structures from the Ball Base, a differently shaped base, or a differing arrangement of Knuckle Structures around the base. The preferred embodiment may also be made hollow so as to allow filling with water and freezing. The material from which the preferred embodiment is manufactured could also vary considerably. The preferred embodiment could be carved from stone, blown from glass, turned or carved from wood, extruded from plastic, or made by injection molding.

[0033] As a person skilled in the art will recognize from the previous detailed description and from the figures and claims, modifications and changes can be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims.