MASSAGE DEVICE

Abstract

A massage device, comprising at least two massage elements and at least one bearing element, which is arranged between the massage elements, wherein the bearing element is designed in such a way that the massage elements can rotate independently with at least two rotational degrees of freedom per massage element, wherein the massage elements are surrounded by a tensioning element, which substantially defines the spatial position of the massage elements, wherein the bearing element comprises bearing balls, which are arranged circularly, and wherein the bearing balls are arranged in a bearing cage.

Claims

1. A massage device, comprising at least two massage elements (1) and at least one bearing element (2), which is arranged between the massage elements (1), characterized in that the bearing element (2) is designed in such a way that the massage elements (1) can rotate independently with at least two rotational degrees of freedom per massage element (1).

2. The massage device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one, preferably all, massage element(s) (1) is/are spherical, preferably with a diameter between 30 mm and 250 mm, preferably between 80 mm and 150 mm.

3. The massage device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bearing element (2) comprises bearing balls (4), which are arranged circularly.

4. The massage device according to claim 3, characterized in that the bearing balls (4) have a mounting hole along their diameter and in that the bearing balls (4) are arranged on a ring-shaped connecting element (5), which is guided in the mounting holes.

5. The massage device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the bearing balls (4) are arranged in a bearing cage (6).

6. The massage device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the massage elements (1) and/or the bearing balls (4) comprise wood, metal, cork, bamboo and/or plastic, in particular hard plastic, styrofoam or rubber.

7. The massage device according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that a bearing element (2) comprises between 6 and 14, preferably between 8 and 12, bearing balls (4).

8. The massage device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the massage elements (1) are surrounded by a tensioning element (3), which substantially defines the spatial position of the massage elements (1).

9. The massage device according to claim 8, characterized in that the tensioning element (3) is an elastic fabric material, which surrounds a plurality of massage elements (1), preferably an elastic fabric material made of plastic fiber.

10. The massage device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the tensioning element (3) is multi-layered.

11. The massage device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the tensioning element (3) is designed in such a way that it exerts a tensioning force (F) onto the massage elements (1), which directs them towards each other.

12. The massage device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the massage elements (1) are magnetically coupled by at least one bearing element (2) so that the spatial position of the massage elements (1) is substantially defined.

13. The massage device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least one massage element (1) comprises a vibration unit, for example with an electric motor.

14. The massage device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that at least one massage element (1) comprises a heat storage unit.

15. The massage device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the bearing element (2) comprises a holding device (12) or consists of a holding device (12).

16. The massage device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the holding device (12) is designed as an arrangement of at least two holding cages (16), wherein each holding cage (16) is designed to receive a massage element (1) so that each massage element (1) is arranged freely movably, in particular freely rotatably, within the holding cage (16), and wherein each holding cage (16) is connected to at least one further holding cage (16).

17. The massage device according to claim 16, characterized in that a holding cage (16) comprises two holding rings (18), which are substantially arranged in parallel and preferably connected to one another by connecting struts (17).

18. The massage device according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that bearing balls (4) are arranged on the at least two holding cages (16), in particular on the holding rings (18).

19. The massage device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that two, three, four or six massage elements (1) are provided and in that a bearing element (2) is arranged between individual massage elements (1).

Description

[0050] In the figures:

[0051] FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a bearing element according to the present invention;

[0053] FIG. 3a shows a schematic sectional view of a further embodiment of a bearing element according to the present invention;

[0054] FIG. 3b shows a schematic detailed view of the embodiment of the bearing element shown in FIG. 3a;

[0055] FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] FIG. 6a shows a schematic sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment not according to the invention;

[0058] FIG. 6b shows a further schematic sectional view of the first exemplary embodiment not according to the invention;

[0059] FIG. 7a shows a schematic top view of a second exemplary embodiment not according to the invention;

[0060] FIG. 7b shows a schematic lateral view of the second exemplary embodiment not according to the invention;

[0061] FIG. 8a shows a schematic top view of a third exemplary embodiment not according to the invention;

[0062] FIG. 8b shows a schematic lateral view of the third exemplary embodiment not according to the invention.

[0063] FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein two massage elements 1 are provided, which are spherical and each have a diameter of approximately 120 mm. A bearing element 2 is arranged between the massage elements 1, which is designed as a circular bearing element 2, as shown in FIG. 2. Here, the bearing element 2 comprises bearing balls 4, which are arranged on a connecting element 5. The two massage elements 1 are surrounded by a single continuous tensioning element 3, which is designed as an elastic plastic fabric material. The tensioning element surrounds the arrangement of massage elements 1 and bearing element 2 in the manner of a stocking.

[0064] In this exemplary embodiment, the bearing element 2, which is shown in a schematic sectional view in FIG. 2, comprises twelve bearing balls 4, each of which has a mounting hole 10, which is arranged substantially along its diameter. A connecting element 5, which in this exemplary embodiment is designed as a steel wire, extends through the mounting hole of each bearing ball 4. In this exemplary embodiment, the connecting element 5 is made of a linear steel wire, which has locking elements 7 on both ends.

[0065] The locking elements 7 are configured to engage each other to form an annular bearing element 2. In other exemplary embodiments, the connecting element 5 may also be welded or otherwise connected to form an annular structure.

[0066] In this exemplary embodiment, the annular bearing element 2 has an outer diameter of about 85 mm. Thus, the outer diameter of the bearing element 2 is approximately 70 of the outer diameter of the massage elements 1.

[0067] In other exemplary embodiments not shown, the connecting element 5 may be made of other materials, such as stainless steel, plastic, or other suitable materials. In other exemplary embodiments not shown, the connecting element 5 may be made of a structure having overlapping regions, thereby forming a closed annular structure, as is known, for example, from so-called key rings.

[0068] The outer diameter of the connecting element 5 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the mounting hole 10 of the bearing balls 4, in order to allow the bearing balls 4 to move freely. In this exemplary embodiment, the bearing balls 4 are made of wood. The bearing balls 4 have a diameter of about 20 mm.

[0069] The tensioning element 3, which in this exemplary embodiment is made of a multilayer plastic fabric material, exerts a tensioning force F on the massage elements 1, which directs them towards each other, thereby pressing the massage elements 1 against the bearing balls 4 of the bearing element 2. The diameter of the bearing element 2/the size of the bearing balls 4 is chosen so that the two massage elements 1 do not touch each other, i.e. do not have a common contact surface.

[0070] The free bearing of the massage elements 1 on the bearing element 2 allows a rotational movement of the massage elements 1 with three rotational degrees of freedom. Hence, there are three orthogonally aligned rotation axes, each running through the geometric center of the massage elements 1 and around which each massage element 1 can rotate independently of the respective other massage element 1. However, the individual massage elements 1 may also rotate synchronously, in which case the massage elements 1 may have common and/or different axes of rotation.

[0071] FIG. 3a shows a schematic sectional view of a further embodiment of a bearing element 4 according to the present invention, which can be used as an alternative to the bearing element 4 shown in FIG. 2. Here, an annular bearing cage 6 is provided, which is designed to fix the bearing balls 4. In this exemplary embodiment, the bearing cage 6 is made of stainless steel, the bearing balls 4 are made of plastic.

[0072] FIG. 3b shows a schematic detailed view of the embodiment of a bearing element 2, in particular the bearing cage 6, as shown in FIG. 3a and described above. For mounting the bearing balls 4, which in this exemplary embodiment do not have mounting holes, receiving openings 8 are provided in the bearing cage 6. In this exemplary embodiment, the receiving openings 8 have arcuate sections, so that the width of the receiving openings 8 is smallest on the two surfaces 9 of the bearing cage 6. In this exemplary embodiment, the width of the receiving openings 8 in the region of the two surfaces 9 is smaller than the diameter of the bearing balls 4. If the bearing balls 4 are made of a slightly elastic plastic, they can be pressed into the receiving openings 8 during assembly of the bearing element 2 and remain in them when the bearing element 2 is used as intended. When the bearing balls 4 are in the receiving openings 8, free rotation in all directions is possible. In this exemplary embodiment, eight bearing balls are provided.

[0073] According to an exemplary embodiment not shown, the bearing cage 6 can also be of a multi-part design to accommodate the bearing balls 4. Then, the bearing cage can be formed, for example, from an upper part and a lower part, wherein the bearing balls 4 are arranged in receiving openings 8, which are formed jointly by the upper part and the lower part. The bearing cage 6 may be formed around the bearing balls 4, in which case the bearing balls 4 need not be flexible.

[0074] The bearing element 2 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b and described herein can be used analogously to the bearing element 2 shown in FIG. 2.

[0075] FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein three massage elements 1 are provided in a triangular arrangement. The three massage elements 1 are rotatably mounted with respect to one another by means of one bearing element 2 each, wherein a total of three bearing elements 2 are provided. The arrangement of massage elements 1 and bearing elements 2 is connected by a single tensioning element 3, as already described in the first exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1. The tensioning element 3 is made of an elastic fabric material and surrounds the arrangement in a stocking-like manner. The tensioning force F generated by the tensioning element 3 pulls the massage elements 1 toward the center of the massage device. In this exemplary embodiment, the three bearing elements 2 are arranged independently of each other.

[0076] In other exemplary embodiments not shown, a plurality of bearing elements 2 may be connected to one another by means of a bearing connecting element 11. In another embodiment not shown, a central bearing ball may be arranged between three massage elements 1. In this case, the central bearing ball can preferably be in contact with the massage elements 1.

[0077] FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein four massage elements 1 are provided in a square arrangement. Four bearing elements 2 are provided, which are designed according to the bearing element 2 shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b. Thus, bearing balls 4 are rotatably arranged in a bearing cage 6.

[0078] In the third exemplary embodiment, the bearing elements 2 are each arranged between two massage elements 1, the four bearing elements 2 being connected to one another in a cross shape by means of a bearing connecting element 11. Thus, the position of the bearing elements 2 relative to one another is fixed.

[0079] The entire arrangement of four bearing elements 2, bearing connecting element 11 and massage elements 1 is surrounded by a common tensioning element 3. The tensioning element 3 exerts a tensioning force F on the arrangement, which is directed towards the center of the arrangement of four bearing elements 2, bearing fixing element 11 and four massage elements 1. In particular, the bearing connecting element 11 connects the bearing cages 6.

[0080] In an embodiment not shown, a central bearing ball may be arranged between the bearing elements 2 instead of the bearing connecting element 11. In this case, the central bearing ball can preferably be in contact with the massage elements 1.

[0081] FIG. 6a shows a schematic sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment not according to the invention, wherein four massage elements 1 are arranged to form a square. The spherical massage elements 1 are held in position by a holding device 12, the holding device 12 also serving as a bearing element 2. FIG. 6b shows the fourth embodiment of the invention in a sectional view along axis A-A. Here it can be seen that the holding device 12 comprises a first holding element 13 and a second holding element 14, wherein the first holding element 13 and the second holding element 14 surround the spherical massage elements 1 in a cage-like manner. The massage elements 1 are mounted in a freely rotatable manner within the holding device 12, but are fixedly positioned therein, as the diameter of the holding opening 15 at the top and bottom of the holding device 12 is smaller than the diameter of the massage elements 1.

[0082] In further embodiments not shown, two, three, five, six or more massage elements 1 may also be provided in an arrangement according to FIGS. 6a and 6b.

[0083] FIG. 7a shows a schematic top view of a second exemplary embodiment not according to the invention. FIG. 7b shows the same fifth exemplary embodiment in a schematic lateral view.

[0084] In this exemplary embodiment, three spherical massage elements 1 are provided, which are arranged to form a triangle. Each massage element 1 is surrounded by a holding cage 16, which, in this exemplary embodiment, is made of a rigid metal framework. In other exemplary embodiments not shown, the holding cage(s) 16 may be made of any other suitable material, such as plastic.

[0085] The holding cage(s) 16 are connected to one another at joints 17 to form a holding device 12 which forms a bearing element 2.

[0086] Each massage element 1 is arranged so as to be freely rotatable in the respective holding cage 16. This is achieved by each holding cage 16 comprising two holding rings 18, which surround the massage elements 1 in a circle. The two holding rings 18 are held together by connecting struts 19. The diameter of the holding rings 18 is smaller than the diameter of the massage elements 1, each holding ring 18 being arranged at a distance of about 15 mm from a diameter plane of the respective massage element 1. The connecting struts 19 each hold together two holding rings 18, thus forming the holding cage 16.

[0087] FIG. 8a shows a schematic top view of a third exemplary embodiment not according to the invention. FIG. 8b shows a schematic lateral view of the third exemplary embodiment not according to the invention.

[0088] In this exemplary embodiment, three spherical massage elements 1 are provided, which are arranged to form a triangle. Each massage element 1 is surrounded by a holding cage 16, which, in this exemplary embodiment, is made of a rigid metal framework. In other exemplary embodiments not shown, the holding cage(s) 16 may be made of any other suitable material, such as plastic.

[0089] Each holding cage 16 comprises two holding rings 18, which are held together by connecting struts. One massage element 1 is arranged within each holding cage 16. On the holding rings 18, bearing balls 4 are arranged.

[0090] The bearing balls 4 have a mounting hole 10, through which the holding ring is passed. Preferably, the bearing balls 4 are in contact with the massage element 1 so that the massage element can rotate freely.

[0091] Each holding cage 16 is connected to two further holding cages 16 via joints 17.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0092] 1 Massage element [0093] 2 Bearing element [0094] 3 Tensioning element [0095] 4 Bearing ball [0096] 5 Connecting element [0097] 6 Bearing cage [0098] 7 Locking element [0099] 8 Receiving opening [0100] 9 Surface [0101] 10 Mounting hole [0102] 11 Bearing connecting element [0103] 12 Holding device [0104] 13 First holding element [0105] 14 Second holding element [0106] 15 Holding opening [0107] 16 Holding cage [0108] 17 Joint [0109] 18 Holding ring [0110] 19 Connecting strut [0111] F Tensioning force