Massage apparatus with knuckle-shaped nodes

Abstract

A massage apparatus has a spherical-shaped body and a plurality of knuckle-shaped nodes protruding from a surface of the body for myofascial release of tissue adhesions, scar tissue, and trigger points. The protruding nodes are arranged in parallel rows and located on one hemispherical face of the sphere. The nodes vary in height along a row. The rows are preferably spaced sufficient to enable effective rolling of the sphere along a spinous process of the user and without coming into contact with the vertebrae of the user.

Claims

1. A massage apparatus comprising: a spherical-shaped body defining a first face and a second face opposite the first face; a first row of protruding nodes located on the first face; and wherein the protruding nodes of the first row vary in height in a first direction; and a second row of protruding nodes located on the first face and parallel to the first row; and wherein the second face is node-less; and wherein the protruding nodes of the first row increase in height sequentially in a first direction; and wherein each of said nodes comprises a conical shape including an enlarged base and an oval-shaped top smaller in diameter than the base.

2. The massage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spherical-shaped body is made of a firm material.

3. The massage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protruding nodes of the second row sequentially decrease in height in the first direction.

4. The massage apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first row and second row are the only rows of protruding nodes in the first face.

5. The massage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top of each node ranges in diameter from 0.25 to 1 inch.

6. The massage apparatus of claim 1, comprising a center to center spacing between each adjacent node in the range between 0.50 and 2.0 inches at the top.

7. The massage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the space between the first row and the second row is sufficient to enable effective rolling of the spherical-shaped body along a spinous process of the user and without coming into contact with the vertebrae of the user.

8. The massage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first face includes not more than 8 protruding nodes.

9. A massage apparatus comprising: a spherical-shaped body defining a first face and a second face opposite the first face; a first row of protruding nodes located on the first face, and wherein the protruding nodes of the first row increase in size in a first direction; a second row of protruding nodes located on the first face and parallel to the first row, and wherein the protruding nodes of the second row decrease in size in the first direction; and a gap between the first row and second row in the range from 1 to 2.5 inches.

10. The massage apparatus of claim 9, wherein the protruding nodes of the first row evenly increase in size in the first direction.

11. The massage apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second face is node-less.

12. The massage apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first face includes not more than 8 protruding nodes.

13. A massage apparatus comprising: a fist-sized ball made of a material having a shore A strength between 20 and 70, and defining a first hemispherical face and a first radius, a second hemispherical face opposite the first hemispherical face, a first pole, and a second pole opposite the first pole; and a plurality of protruding knuckle-shaped members extending from the first hemispherical face and beyond the first radius, and wherein each knuckle-shaped member has a height different than an adjacent knuckle-shaped member; and wherein the second hemispherical face has a smooth surface; and wherein the first hemispherical face includes not more than 3 knuckle-shaped members.

14. The massage apparatus of claim 13 wherein at least a set of the plurality of protruding knuckle-shaped members extend from the first hemispherical face and are arranged in a first row extending from the first pole to the second pole, and the protruding knuckle-shaped members increase in size along the row.

15. The massage apparatus of claim 14, wherein the protruding knuckle-shaped members have a triangular arrangement.

16. The massage apparatus of claim 13, wherein the fist-sized ball and plurality of protruding knuckle-shaped members are a one piece molded elastomer or one piece molded rubber.

17. The massage apparatus of claim 13, wherein the fist-sized ball is made of a firm material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 depicts a top view of an 8 node massage apparatus.

(2) FIG. 2 depicts a front view of the massage apparatus shown in FIG. 1, rotated 90 degrees.

(3) FIG. 3 depicts a right side view of the massage apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 4A depicts a massage apparatus in a chest therapy application.

(5) FIG. 4B depicts a massage apparatus in a back therapy application.

(6) FIG. 4C depicts a massage apparatus in a leg therapy application.

(7) FIG. 5 depicts a top view of another massage apparatus having 3 nodes.

(8) FIG. 6 depicts a front view of the massage apparatus shown in FIG. 5 showing 2 nodes.

(9) FIG. 7 depicts a right side view of the massage apparatus shown in FIG. 5, rotated 90 degrees.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(10) Before the present invention is described in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular variations set forth herein as various changes or modifications may be made to the invention described and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, process, process act(s) or step(s) to the objective(s), spirit or scope of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims made herein.

(11) Methods recited herein may be carried out in any order of the recited events which is logically possible, as well as the recited order of events. Furthermore, where a range of values is provided, it is understood that every intervening value, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed within the invention. Also, it is contemplated that any optional feature of the inventive variations described may be set forth and claimed independently, or in combination with any one or more of the features described herein.

(12) All existing subject matter mentioned herein (e.g., publications, patents, patent applications and hardware) is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety except insofar as the subject matter may conflict with that of the present invention (in which case what is present herein shall prevail).

(13) Reference to a singular item, includes the possibility that there are plural of the same items present. More specifically, as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, said and the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as solely, only and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a negative limitation. It is also to be appreciated that unless defined otherwise, 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 invention belongs.

(14) FIG. 1 depicts a top view of a massage apparatus 10 comprising a spherical or ball-shaped body 12. The massage apparatus is shown having two rows of nodes 20, 30 projecting from the surface of the ball 12. Each row includes 4 nodes. Although 4 nodes per row are shown in the embodiment in FIG. 1, the number of nodes may vary. In embodiments, the number of nodes ranges between 2 and 10, and preferably is between 3-5 nodes.

(15) The nodes shown in FIG. 1 gradually change size from the beginning of the row to the end of the row. Additionally, the rows change size in opposite directions to one another. More specifically, the nodes in row 30 increase in size in the right direction (R) whereas the nodes in row 20 decrease in size in the right direction (R).

(16) In a preferred embodiment, a massage apparatus includes only two rows of knuckle-shaped nodes that run opposite each other and are spaced (S) approximately 1.75 inches apart, center to center. However, the spacing (S) may vary and range from 1.0-2.5 inches.

(17) The massage apparatus may be made from a wide variety of materials. Exemplary materials include a flexible plastic or rubber material (scale A shore strength between 20-70) that may either be soft (like an eraser) or firm (like a lacrosse ball). Additionally, the components of the apparatus (namely, the nodes and body) may be prepared as solely one-piece or integrally formed, or the nodes may be attached to the body with fasteners, adhesives, or bonding techniques.

(18) FIG. 2 depicts a front view of the massage apparatus 10, showing a single row of knuckles 20 in descending order (40A, 50A, 60A, 70A) from left to right. The opposing row of knuckles 30 is not visible, but would be in ascending order 70B, 60B, 50B, 40B from left to right.

(19) The nodes shown in FIG. 2 are present on only a first hemispherical surface 14 or half of the body 10. A second hemispherical surface or portion 16 of the body, opposite to the first half, is shown as smooth, and node-less. In embodiments, the nodes and rows or nodes are disposed in only one-third or quarter sector of the massage apparatus, allowing the smooth node-less surface to be readily handled, or placed against various supporting surfaces as described herein.

(20) FIG. 3 illustrates a right side view of massage apparatus 10, and rotated 90 degrees. FIG. 3 shows clear profiles of the large knuckle-like node 40B, and the small knuckle like node 70A. The next largest knuckle 60A is also depicted by dashed lines to illustrate the increasing knuckle size down the row 70A, 60A, 50A, 40A.

(21) In embodiments, the nodes in a row change size gradually, and in some embodiments, the nodes change size in even or proportionally even amounts.

(22) The node (such as node 40B) is shown having a conical shape commencing with an enlarged base region, and tapering to an oval or egg-shaped top. The knuckle-like nodes may vary in size (e.g., between 0.25 to 1.0 inches in diameter), spacing (e.g., between 0.50 and 2.0 inches center to center), and height (e.g., between 0.25 and 0.75 inches at the center).

(23) Although the massage apparatus has been described specifically above, it is to be understood that the size and shape of the massage apparatus may vary widely except as where limited in the appended claims. For example, non-limiting exemplary shapes of the body include ovoid, egg-shaped, and spherical. Exemplary diameters of the massage apparatus range between 2 inches and 5 inches, preferably about 4 inches. In embodiments, the massage apparatus is the size of a large human fist, and the nodes are sized to correspond to the four knuckles of the hand excluding the thumb.

(24) FIGS. 4A-4C depicts a massage apparatus 10 in various applications.

(25) FIG. 4A depicts a massage apparatus in a chest therapy application. The node-side of a massage apparatus 10 is urged against the chest 92 of a patient. The patient conveniently manipulates the massage apparatus 10 with her hand 93, holding the smooth curved face.

(26) FIG. 4B depicts a massage apparatus in a back therapy application. The massage apparatus is being applied against the patient's spine 94. The massage apparatus 10 is wedged between the back 94 of the patient and a wall 95 to direct forces into the myofascial tissue for relief and repair.

(27) FIG. 4C depicts a massage apparatus in a leg therapy application. The massage apparatus is being applied against the patient's calf muscle 96. The smooth side of the massage apparatus is placed and supported by floor 97, and the node side of the massage apparatus 10 is urged against the patient's calf. The effectiveness or forces are enhanced by the weight of the patient's legs, and gravity.

(28) A top view of another massage apparatus 100 is shown in FIG. 5. The massage device 100 has a spherical ball-shaped body 102 and only three knuckle-shaped nodes 111, 112, 113 projecting from the face of the body.

(29) In a sense, the massage apparatus 100 is shown having one row of nodes (consisting of nodes 111, 112) projecting from the surface of the body 102 and a single node 113 offset from the first row and projecting from the body 102. Although 2 nodes per row are shown in the embodiment in FIG. 5, the number of nodes per row may vary. And the number of nodes projecting from the ball may vary.

(30) With reference to FIGS. 6-7, the nodes are present on only a first hemispherical surface 104 or half of the body 100. A second hemispherical surface or portion 106 of the body, opposite to the first half, is shown as smooth and node-less.

(31) In embodiments, the nodes and rows or nodes are disposed in only one-third or quarter sector of the massage apparatus, allowing the smooth node-less surface to be readily handled, or placed against various supporting surfaces as described herein.

(32) FIG. 6 depicts a front view of massage apparatus 100. Knuckles 111, 113 are visible from left to right, with knuckle 112 depicted by a dashed line (behind knuckle 111).

(33) FIG. 7 is a right side view of massage apparatus 100 showing knuckles 111, 113, 112 from left to right (respectively).

(34) In embodiments, the nodes in a row change size gradually, and in some embodiments, the nodes change size in even or proportionally even amounts.

(35) The node (such as node 111) is shown having a conical shape commencing with an enlarged base region, and tapering to an oval or egg-shaped top. The knuckle-like nodes may vary in size (e.g., between 0.25 to 1.0 inches in diameter), spacing (e.g., between 0.50 and 2.0 inches center to center), and height (e.g., between 0.25 and 0.75 inches at the center). For massage apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 5, the nodes are representative of the lower values specified above in size, spacing, and height.

(36) Although the massage apparatus has been described specifically above, it is to be understood that the size and shape of the massage apparatus may vary widely except as where limited in the appended claims. For example, non-limiting exemplary shapes of the body include ovoid, egg-shaped, and spherical. Exemplary diameters of the massage apparatus range between 2 inches and 5 inches, preferably about 2.5 inches for the smaller embodiment. In embodiments, the massage apparatus is the size of a human fist, and the nodes are sized to correspond to at least two knuckles of the hand, excluding the thumb.

(37) Although a number of embodiments have been disclosed above, it is to be understood that other modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the subject invention.