EXTENDER FOR A PERCUSSION MASSAGE DEVICE

Abstract

An extender for a massage device handle has an adjustable and pivotal sleeve to be removably attached to different sized massage device handles via a hinge assembly. A first longitudinal extender section is removably attached to the hinge assembly. A first laterally extending handle is removably attached to the first longitudinal extender section. The first longitudinal extender section has one end adapted to removably receive another extender section to extend the length of the extender.

Claims

1. An extender for a massage device handle, comprising: an adjustable sleeve configured to attach to a plurality of differently sized massage device handles; a hinge assembly disposed on the sleeve, the hinge assembly pivotally operable with the sleeve and adjustably locking the position of the sleeve relative to a first extender section, the locking member rotatable about an axis; a first extender section having a first intersecting handle, the first extender section having a first end connected to the hinge assembly, and a second end adapted to extend the length of the extender, the extender length being adjustable by one of extending the first extender section and removably receiving a second extender section.

2. The extender for a massage device handle of claim 1, comprising: a removable and retractable second extender section having a second intersecting handle, the second extender section having a first end adapted to one of attach to, and one of extend out from, the first extender section, and a second end adapted to removably receive a third extender section and a standing pod.

3. An extender for a massage device handle, comprising: an adjustable sleeve configured to attach to a plurality of differently sized massage device handles; an adjustable locking member disposed on the sleeve, the locking member operatively engaged with the sleeve and adjustably locking the position of the sleeve relative to a first extender handle, the locking member rotatable about an axis; a first extender handle having a joint section configured to removably receive a first intersecting handle, the joint section having a female thread, the first intersecting handle having a male thread, the first extender handle having a first end connected to the adjustable locking member, and a second end adapted to removably receive a second extending handle;

4. The extender for a massage device handle of claim 1, comprising: a removable second extender handle having a joint section, the joint section configured to removably receive a second intersecting handle, the joint section having a female thread, the second intersecting handle having a male thread, the removable second extender handle having a first end adapted to removably attach to the first extender handle, and a second end adapted to removably receive a third extender handle.

5. The extender for a massage device handle of claim 1, comprising: a removable third extender handle having a joint section configured to removably receive a third intersecting handle, the joint section having a female thread, the third intersecting handle having a male thread, the removable third extender handle having a first end adapted to removably attach to the removable second extender handle, and a second end adapted to removably receive a fourth extender handle.

6. The extender for a massage device handle of claim 1, wherein each extender handle includes one of a shaft and bead structure.

7. An extender for a massage device handle, comprising: an adjustable sleeve configured to attach to a plurality of differently sized massage device handles; a hinge assembly disposed on the sleeve, the hinge assembly pivotally operable with the sleeve and adjustably locking the position of the sleeve relative to a first extender shaft, the hinge assembly rotatable about an axis; a first extender shaft having a gripping device, the gripping device configured to adjustably position a first horizontal handle about the shaft, the gripping device having a gripping band able to wrap around the first extender shaft, the first extender shaft having a first end connected to the hinge assembly, and a second end adapted to adjustably extend a second extender shaft; an extension ring configured to adjustably actuate the second extender shaft out of the first extender shaft, the extension ring connecting the first extender shaft to the second extender shaft and able to lock the actuated second extender shaft in place;

8. The extender for a massage device handle of claim 1, comprising: a retractable second extender shaft having a gripping device, the gripping device configured to adjustably position a second horizontal handle about the shaft, the gripping device having a gripping band able to wrap around the second extender shaft, the second extender shaft having a first end adapted to telescopically extend out from the first extender shaft, and a second end adapted to removably receive a third extender shaft or standing pod.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] 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 another 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.

[0010] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of an extender assembly for a massage device.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 of an extender assembly and the thread configuration of joint sections with intersecting handles.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 of an extender assembly and the thread configuration of joint sections with extender handles.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the extender assembly for a massage device.

[0014] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the upper portion of the embodiment of the extender assembly shown in FIG. 4.

[0015] FIG. 6A is a detail perspective view of the telescopic mechanism of the embodiment of the extender assembly shown in FIG. 4.

[0016] FIG. 6B is an exploded view of the telescopic mechanism of FIG. 6A.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the extender mechanism embodiment of FIG. 4 supporting a percussion massage device.

DESCRIPTION

[0018] Referring to the first embodiment of the extender assembly 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the sleeve 102 provides for connection of extender assembly 100 to a handle 124 of percussion massage device 130. The sleeve 102 may completely or substantially envelop handle 124. An adjustable fastener mechanism 103 allows sleeve 102 to be tightened and loosened around handle 124. The extender sleeve 102 may also comprise other systems that are known in the art to secure the massage device to the extender assembly, such as a sleeve using a strap and a hook and loop fastener system, such as illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 4-7.

[0019] Attached to the sleeve 102 is a pivotal locking member 104 that adjustably connects the sleeve 102 to the top portion of first extender handle 106. The locking member 104 is adjustable to achieve a spectrum of user defined angles between the orientations of the sleeve 102 relative to the first extender handle 106.

[0020] The first extender handle 106 is permanently fixed to the locking member 104. Attached to a bottom portion of the first extender handle 106 is a first joint section 108. The first joint section 108 has a female thread 200 (FIG. 2) that removably receives a first perpendicular intersecting handle 110 having a male thread 202. The first joint section 108 has a female thread 300 (FIG. 3) that removably receives a second extender handle 112 having a male thread 302.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, the second extender handle 112 is removably connected to the first extender handle 106. Attached to the second extender handle 112 is a second joint section 114 that is structured the same as joint section 108. The second joint section 114 has a female thread 204 that removably receives a second intersecting handle 116 having a male thread 206. The first joint section has a female thread 304 (FIG. 3) that removably receives a third extender handle 118 having a male thread 306.

[0022] The third extender handle 118 is removably connected to the second extender handle 112. Attached to the third extender handle 118 is a third joint section 120 (FIG. 3). The third joint section 120, similar to joint section 108, includes a female thread 208 (FIG. 2) that removably receives the third intersecting handle 122 having a male thread 210. The third joint section 120 may be the final joint section necessary to achieve the desired length. If additional extender sections are desired, a third joint section 120 having a second female thread will be used to removably receive a fourth extender handle. This pattern continues until the desired length for the extender is achieved.

[0023] The first extender handle 106, second extender handle 112, and third extender handle 118 may comprise either a shaft or bead structure. A grip-like structure may also be used as seen on the first extender handle 106 (FIG. 1).

[0024] The user holds the first extender handle 106 and screws the first intersecting handle 110 into the first joint section 108. Next, the user screws the second extender handle 112 into the first joint section 108. The user then screws the second intersecting handle 116 into the second joint section 114. Finally, the user screws the third extender handle 118 into the second joint section 114. The user then screws the third intersecting handle 122 into the third joint section 120. This completes the assembly of an extender having three sections.

[0025] A second embodiment of the presently disclosed extender assembly for a percussion massage device is illustrated in FIGS. 4-7. Referring first to FIG. 4, the extender assembly 400 comprises a semicircular cradle 402 adapted to support a circular housing of percussion massage device 404 (FIG. 7). A hook and loop fastener flexible strap assembly 406 extends through opposed slots 405 in cradle 402 to secure massage device 404 to cradle 402, as seen in FIG. 7. [0026] a. A curved flange 410 extends outward and downward from cradle 402, and flange 410 is pivotally connected to an upper connecting portion 412 of first extender shaft 414 by a hinge assembly 416. The hinge assembly provides one hundred thirty five degree rotation between cradle 402 and first extender shaft 414. Trigger 418 is pivotally operable to unlock the hinge and enable rotation of cradle 402 relative to first extender shaft 414. Visual gradation indicia 419 on hinge assembly 416 allow the user to control the position of cradle 402. [0027] b. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 4-7, first extender shaft 414 is hollow, and a second extender shaft 420 is telescopically moveable in the hollow portion of first extender shaft 414 to vary the length of extender assembly 400. An extension ring 422 having a manual gripping surface 424 allows tightening and loosening of second extender shaft 420 relative to first extender shaft 414, allowing the expansion or retraction of extender assembly 400. [0028] c. The gripping [R1] [H2] surface 424 of extension ring 422 is part of a telescoping locking mechanism well known in the art and is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Sleeve 429 is installed over the first upper portion 427 of the first extender shaft 414. The manual gripping surface 424 is installed over the top of sleeve 429 and envelops the first upper portion 427. Compression fitting 426 is installed over the second upper portion 428 of second extender shaft 420. The manual gripping surface 424 is attached over the top of compression fitting 426 and screws into the compression fitting 426.

[0029] First horizontal handle 430 extends laterally outward from first extender shaft 414. Handle 430 comprises a soft material grip 432 (FIG. 5) surrounding a solid shaft 434. One end of shaft 434 includes a gripping device 436 having a gripping band 438 extending around the outer circumference of second extender shaft 420 and that can be tightened and loosened by rotating wheel 440 in one direction or the other, as is known in the art. Loosening and then tightening wheel 440 allows first handle 430 to be moved to a proper vertical position along the length of first extender shaft 414 as desired by the user. [0030] a. Referring to FIG. 4, a second horizontal handle 442 surrounded by a soft material grip 444 is moveably attached to second extender shaft 446. A gripping device 448 having a gripping band 448 extending around the outer circumference of second extender shaft 420 and a tightening/loosening control wheel 448 is configured similar to gripping device 436 and allows handle 442 to also be positioned vertically along second extender shaft 420 to suit the user's needs. [0031] b. The lower end of second extender shaft 420 includes a standing pod 450 (FIG. 4) comprising a soft flattened dome that provides stability and comfort when extender assembly 400 is being supported by a user's body part. [0032] c. In operation of the extender assembly of the second embodiment, the handle 403 of a percussion massage device 404 is lodged in cradle 402, and flexible strap assembly 406 is extended around handle 403 until the massage device is securely held in cradle 402. The hook and loop fasteners on strap assembly 406 are brought into engagement to secure massage device 404 against movement in cradle 402.

[0033] If necessary, trigger 418 is depressed to disengage hinge assembly 416 to rotate cradle 402 until the angle between massage device 404 and extender assembly 400 desired by the user is attained. Trigger 418 is then released and hinge assembly 416 is locked in the selected position. The visual gradation indicia 419 allow the user to reposition the angular orientation between extender assembly 400 and massage device 404 to a previously preferred angular position.