Stationary Therapeutic Massage Device

Abstract

A stationary therapeutic massage device includes first and second stationary bases; a fixed axle member extending between the first and second stationary bases; a massage roller component including an inner facing surface surrounding a channel, the massage roller component being sized and configured to operate with the inner surface freely rotating about the external surface of the axle member; a hollow support cylinder member having a length that is shorter than the length of the axle member, the hollow cylinder being structured and disposed for freely rotating about the fixed axle member via self-lubricating compounds or rotational bearings; and the first and second stationary bases being set at opposing ends of the axle member for suspending the axle member therein for promoting free rotation of the massage roller component about a fixed longitudinal axis to reduce undesired motion of the device.

Claims

1. A stationary therapeutic massage device comprising: first and second stationary bases; a rigid, fixed axle member having an external surface extending between a first end and an opposite, second end each being secured to a respective one of said first and second stationary bases; a massage roller component including an inner facing surface surrounding a channel, said massage roller component being sized and configured to operate with the inner surface freely rotating about the external surface of said axle member, wherein the diameter of the channel of said massage roller component is sized and configured to produce a reduced friction fit between the inner surface of said massage roller component and the external surface of said axle member; a hollow support cylinder member having a length that is shorter than the length of said axle member, said support cylinder being structured and disposed for freely rotating about said fixed axle member; first and second spring-loaded button snaps each on a corresponding inner facing surface of a cavity formed on each of the opposing ends of said axle member, said spring-loaded button being sized and configured to pin the axle in a fixed position; each of said first and second spring-loaded button snaps being selectively operable by a user for detaching said axle member from said first and second stationary bases; and said first and second stationary bases being set at opposing ends of said axle member for suspending said axle member therein for promoting free rotation of said massage roller component about a fixed longitudinal axis to reduce undesired motion of said device.

2. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said massage roller component is made from flexible rubber.

3. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said massage roller component is made from foam.

4. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said massage roller component and support cylinder are the same length.

5. The device as recited in claim 4 wherein the length of each of said massage roller component and support cylinder is between 12 inches and 28 inches.

6. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said support cylinder is made from PVC for reducing the friction between said support cylinder and the external surface of said axle member.

7. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said support cylinder is made from a self-lubricating plastic for reducing the friction between said support cylinder and the external surface of said axle member.

8. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said axle member is made from PVC for reducing the friction between said support cylinder and the external surface of said axle member.

9. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said axle member is made from self-lubricating plastic for reducing the friction between said support cylinder and the external surface of said axle member.

10. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said support cylinder is attached to said massage roller component with an adhesive.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a completely assembled massage roller in a form corresponding to the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a massage roller in a form corresponding to the present disclosure illustrating the components thereof;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the outside of the disassembled base in relation to the longitudinal axis;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the inside of the disassembled base in relation to the longitudinal axis; and

[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a completely assembled massage roller in a form corresponding to the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0019] The present invention resides in a novel method by which a stationary massage roller that spins along a fixed longitudinal axis and is suspended from a support surface is more efficiently and conveniently used for therapeutic purposes. The materials used to form the stationary base, axle, and support cylinder relies upon readily accessible and common plastic and rubber materials such as, but not limited to: Neoprene, GR-S, Silicone, Nitrile, Butyl compounds, Polyacrylate, urethane elastomers, and any other plastic material with the appropriate physical and chemical properties. Additionally, the materials appropriate for the massage roller are rubber and foam materials such as, but not limited to: Polystyrene, Natural and Artificial rubber, High-density Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polyvinyl Chloride, closed cell foam, as well as any other plastic, foam, or rubber with the appropriate physical and chemical properties.

[0020] The following description is in reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4. The massage roller 21, visible from the outside is hollow and comprises an internal surface with a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of its external surface. The massage roller 21 can have a thickness of 0.25 inches to 6 inches between the internal diameter and external diameter. The massage roller 21 is preferably made of a flexible natural or synthetic rubber or foam material and attached to the external surface of a hard-plastic support cylinder 30 to provide structure to the rubber or foam massage roller 21. The internal surface of the massage roller 21 is attached to the external surface of the support cylinder 30 with glue or a similar substance in order to prevent unwanted motion between the contacting surfaces.

[0021] The support cylinder 30 is preferably made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or a self-lubricating plastic that allows for reduced friction between the internal surface of the cylinder 30 and the outer surface of the stationary support axle 22, which can also be made of polyvinyl chloride or self-lubricating plastic to enhance the reduction of friction required for un-resisted spinning of the internal surface of the support cylinder 30 about the external surface of the support axle 22. The massage roller 21 and support cylinder 30 are to be the same length from 12 inches to 28 inches.

[0022] The axle 22, which is also hollow and measured to be 1 inch to 8 inches longer than the support cylinder 30 and massage roller 21, is suspended from a support surface by a stationary base 23 on opposing ends of the axle 22. The axle 22 inserts in to the base 23 through the axle entrance 25 that has a diameter no more than 0.25 inches greater than the external diameter of the axle 22. The depth 36 of the axle entrance 25 is within 0.25 inches greater than one half the distance of the difference between the length of the massage roller 21 and the length of the axle 22. This allows for equal portions of the axle 22 to be housed within each base 23.

[0023] Each base 23 has two flat surfaces 26 & 27 set 90 degrees to each other; one flat surface 26 makes contact with a flat support surface such as a floor or wall to provide stability and suspend the axle 22, support cylinder 30, and massage roller 21 away from the support surface to allow the cylinder 30, which has attached to it the massage roller 21, to rotate about the axle 22 on its fixed longitudinal axis. In the plane of another flat surface 27, set 90 degrees from the aforementioned flat surface 26, contains the axle entrance 25 and functions to hold the massage roller 21 and support cylinder 30 in place between the bases 23 on opposing ends of the axle 22. The bases 23 are to be made of a light and durable material such as polyvinyl chloride.

[0024] Apertures 28 on opposing ends of the axle 22 to create a passageway from the internal environment of the axle to the external environment of the axle to allow the button 24 of a snap button component 29 to pass through the thickness of the axle 22. Each base 23 has a hole 33 connecting the internal environment of the axle housing 37, which is the volume of space within the base that houses the section of the axle 22, to the external environment of the base that allows for the passage of the button 24 through the thickness of the top of the base and aligns with the holes on opposing ends of the axle 22. The snap button component 29 engages when the holes drilled through the axle and the bases align, which provides a dual function. As the button 24 extends through the thickness of the axle and subsequently the thickness of the base at a perpendicular axis relative to the longitudinal axis of the axle 22, the button 24 creates a pinning effect, preventing the axle from rotating within the base along its longitudinal axis. With the snap button 29 being spring-loaded and capable of being depressed with minimal forces such as those provided through a human finger, the button 24 can be depressed vertically and displaced below the internal diameter of the axle housing 37. Once the button 24 has been depressed lower than the internal diameter of the axle housing 37, one or both bases can be disarticulated from the axle with a force in the opposite direction of the longitudinal axis of the axle 22.

[0025] Snap buttons are very inexpensive and have proved their consistency, usefulness, and low level of failure in devices such as crutches, canes, walkers, and others to allow for quick adjustment or detachment. The use of snap buttons in devices such as those listed above also proves their ability to function and withstand constant forces equal to and greater than human body weight.

[0026] Once a base 23 has been disarticulated from one end of the axle 22, the massage roller 21 and support cylinder component 30 can then be disarticulated from the axle 22 with gravitational forces or other forces in a direction opposite to the longitudinal axis of the axle 22 for the purpose of exchanging an alternative massage roller 21 and support cylinder component 30 or the use of the massage roller 21 and support cylinder component 30 directly on a support surface.

[0027] Two improvements of this device compared to those in use today are the features allowing it to spin along a fixed longitudinal axis and easy disassembly for the exchange of alternate massage rollers. Having the present device spin along a suspended and fixed longitudinal axis creates a motion for the user that does not require constant adjustment as seen in devices that are used directly on a support surface due to turning of the device along a perpendicular axis. This device also avoids the opportunity for clothing and jewelry to become trapped between the device and the support surface, which can be a choking hazard. Alternate massage rollers provide the user with an option to change the firmness and/or external massage pattern of the roller. The firmer a roller is, the more force that is transferred from the roller to the user's muscles, providing a more intensive and deeper massage. The less firm a roller is, the less force that is transferred from the roller to the user's muscles, providing a more diffuse massage.

[0028] The detailed description of the present disclosure encompasses a preferred embodiment but does not limit the many variations that can potentially be used in accordance with the spirit and scope of the novel objects and features as noted in the appended claims.