Abstract
A handheld motorized massage gun combines the percussive action of conventional percussive-type massage guns with muscle stretching action and kneading action of rolling element massage devices. The self-powered, self-standing instrument orbits a single massage head along a reciprocating circular arc which induces percussive forces perpendicular to the fascia, induces stretching forces along the elongate axis of the fascia and also produces skin rolling action upon adipose fascia. The self-standing suspension allows the device to be stably focused upon a specific fascia region with one hand for the purpose of treating cellulite and/or providing muscle rehabilitation. Among various features, the instrument has a handle portion suitable for operating with one hand, a single massage head for oscillating upon the surface of a fascia, and a non-oscillating gripping surface for anchoring the massage gun upon a fascia surface.
Claims
1. A handheld self-powered percussive massage gun for utilization by a user upon a fascia surface comprising: a main body having an axis perpendicular to the fascia surface and defining a cavity; a single handle portion extending therefrom, the single handle portion configured to be graspable by the user for operating the percussive massage gun with one hand; a single massage head for oscillating upon the surface of a fascia at a first fascia region; a non-oscillating gripping surface for anchoring the massage gun upon a fascia surface at a second fascia region; a motor-driven mechanism residing within the main body cavity for oscillating the massage head; the motor-driven mechanism having a single bellcrank which rotates upon a first axle; the bellcrank having a distal end including a second axle for mounting the massage head therefrom; wherein the massage head comprises a massage roller which freely rotates upon the axis of the second axle; wherein the periphery of the massage roller reciprocates along an arcuate path that is tangent to the fascia surface; wherein the massage head is continuously reciprocated along the arcuate path by the motor upon the first fascia region while the non-oscillating gripping surface remains in a fixed position upon the second fascia region; and wherein the massage head creates a skin roll as it approaches the gripping surface and thereafter flattens the skin roll as it moves away from the gripping surface.
2. The massage gun of claim 1 wherein the bellcrank possesses a second axle at its distal end for mounting a massage head that is not freely rotatable upon the axis of the second axle.
3. The massage gun of claim 1 wherein the bellcrank possesses a second axle at its distal end for mounting a massage head comprising a first massage roller and a second massage roller that are both freely rotatable upon the axis of the second axle.
4. The massage gun of claim 1 wherein spacing amongst the massage head and the gripping surface is proportioned to provide a self-standing suspension which maintains the axis of the main body substantially perpendicular to the fascia surface absent a grasp of the user.
5. The massage gun of claim 1 wherein the massage head possesses stimulating projections.
6. The massage gun of claim 1 wherein the gripping surface has an axis that is perpendicular to the handle.
7. The massage gun of claim 1 wherein the gripping surface has an axis that is parallel to the handle.
8. The massage gun of claim 1 wherein the gripping surface comprises a curvilinear shape.
9. The massage gun of claim 1 wherein the gripping surface is detachable from the main body.
10. The massage gun of claim 1 wherein the gripping surface is adjoined to the handle.
11. The massage gun of claim 1 whereupon the excursion length of the arcuate path may be variably adjusted by controlling the rotational excursion of the motor.
12. A handheld self-powered percussive massage gun for utilization by a user upon a fascia surface comprising: a main body having an axis perpendicular to the fascia surface and defining a cavity; a single handle portion extending therefrom, the single handle portion configured to be graspable by the user for operating the percussive massage gun with one hand; a single massage head for oscillating upon the surface of a fascia at a first fascia region; a non-oscillating gripping surface for anchoring the massage gun upon a fascia surface at a second fascia region; a motor-driven mechanism residing within the main body cavity for oscillating the massage head; the motor-driven mechanism having a single bellcrank which rotates upon a first axle; the massage head comprising a single roller which is rotatable upon the axis of the first axle and fixedly attached to the bellcrank; wherein the distal end of the massage head reciprocates along an arcuate path that is tangent to the fascia surface; wherein the massage head is continuously reciprocated along the arcuate path by the motor upon the first fascia region while the gripping surface remains in a fixed position upon the second fascia region; and wherein the massage head creates a skin roll as it approaches the gripping surface and thereafter flattens the skin roll as it moves away from the gripping surface.
13. The massage gun of claim 12 wherein spacing amongst the massage head and the gripping surface is proportioned to provide a self-standing suspension which maintains the axis of the main body substantially perpendicular to the fascia surface absent a grasp of the user.
14. The massage gun of claim 12 wherein a massage head possesses stimulating projections.
15. The massage gun of claim 12 wherein the gripping surface has an axis that is perpendicular to the handle.
16. The massage gun of claim 12 wherein the gripping surface has an axis that is parallel to the handle.
17. The massage gun of claim 12 wherein the gripping surface comprises a curvilinear shape.
18. The massage gun of claim 12 wherein the gripping surface is detachable from the main body.
19. The massage gun of claim 12 wherein the gripping surface is adjoined to the handle.
20. The massage gun of claim 12 whereupon the excursion length of the arcuate path may be variably adjusted by controlling the rotational excursion of the motor.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 is an illustration of the hand movement utilized by a massage therapist while implementing the Myofascial Release technique.
[0032] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a prior art device which is utilized to implement the Myofascial Release technique.
[0033] FIG. 3 is an illustration of the operation of the massage device described in FIG. 2.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of another prior art massage device which is utilized to implement the Myofascial Release technique.
[0035] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a hand movement utilized by a massage therapist while implementing the Tapotement (percussive massage) technique.
[0036] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a prior art percussive massage gun which is utilized to implement percussive massage.
[0037] FIG. 7 is a view of another prior art massage device that incorporates two handles to steady the massage gun upon a target fascia region while applying percussive massage.
[0038] FIG. 8 is an illustration of an exemplary application of the prior art massage device of FIG. 7.
[0039] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of another prior art massage device that is utilized for stabilizing a percussive massage gun upon a target fascia region while applying percussive massage.
[0040] FIG. 10 is an isometric view showing an exemplary application of the massage gun of FIG. 9.
[0041] FIG. 11 is an illustration of the hand movement utilized by a massage therapist while implementing the Petrissage (skin rolling) technique.
[0042] FIG. 12 is a diagram from a prior art patent that describes a device that is utilized for automating the Petrissage (skin rolling) technique.
[0043] FIG. 13 is a section view from a prior art patent disclosure that teaches another device for automating the Petrissage (skin rolling) technique.
[0044] FIG. 14 is a section view from another prior art patent disclosure that teaches a device for automating the Petrissage (skin rolling) technique.
[0045] FIG. 15 is a section view from another prior art patent disclosure that teaches a device for automating the Petrissage (skin rolling) technique.
[0046] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the Triple Action Massage Gun being described herein.
[0047] FIG. 17 is an alternate perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 16.
[0048] FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of the device illustrated in FIG. 16 showing its arcuate massage head path.
[0049] FIG. 19 is a cut away view of the massage device of FIG. 16 showing the internal bellcrank drive mechanism.
[0050] FIG. 20A to FIG. 20C are various detailed views of the internal bellcrank drive mechanism illustrated in FIG. 19.
[0051] FIG. 21A, 21B and 21C illustrate the progressive sequence of massage head movements that create a compressive bulge (skin roll) upon a fleshy fascia region.
[0052] FIG. 22A and 22B illustrate the massage head motion of the device in FIG. 16 which includes percussive movement of the massage head in a direction perpendicular to the fascia surface.
[0053] FIG. 22C further explains the movement of the massage head perpendicular to the fascia surface as shown in FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B.
[0054] FIG. 23 is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment when adopting grooves upon the roller surface for fascia stimulation.
[0055] FIG. 24 is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment when adopting pyramidal projections upon the roller surface for fascia stimulation.
[0056] FIG. 25 is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the massage gun in FIG. 24 wherein the massage roller is prevented from freely rotating upon its axle.
[0057] FIG. 26 is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the bellcrank shown in FIG. 20C.
[0058] FIG. 27A is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the massage gun shown in FIG. 23.
[0059] FIG. 27B is an alternate isometric view of the massage gun shown in FIG. 27A.
[0060] FIG. 28A is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the massage gun shown in FIG. 23.
[0061] FIG. 28B is an isolated view of the detachable focusing rest shown in FIG. 28A.
[0062] FIG. 29A is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the massage gun shown in FIG. 28A.
[0063] FIG. 29B is an alternate isometric view of the massage gun shown in FIG. 29A.
[0064] FIG. 30 is a cut away view of an alternate embodiment that is a variant of the embodiment of FIG. 19.
[0065] FIG. 30A is an isolated view of the bellcrank configuration shown in FIG. 30.
[0066] FIG. 31 is an isometric view of the massage gun shown in FIG. 30.
[0067] FIG. 32A and FIG. 32B illustrate progressive steps of creating a skin roll utilizing the massage gun configuration of FIG. 30.
[0068] FIG. 33 is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the massage gun shown in FIG. 30.
[0069] FIG. 34 is an isometric view of another alternate embodiment of the massage gun shown in FIG. 30.
[0070] FIG. 35A is an alternate embodiment of the massage gun of FIG. 30 having a different bellcrank driving mechanism.
[0071] FIG. 35B is an alternate view of FIG. 35A showing the massage head moved to a different position.
[0072] FIG. 35C is an isolated view of the bellcrank driving mechanism shown in FIG. 35A.
[0073] FIG. 35D is an alternate view of the massage gun in FIG. 35A which explains the massage head movement that is perpendicular to the fascia surface.
[0074] FIG. 36A is an isometric view of an alternate massage gun embodiment.
[0075] FIG. 36B is a partial section view of the embodiment of FIG. 36A.
[0076] FIG. 36C is a partially exploded isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 36A.
[0077] FIG. 37A is an isometric view of an alternate massage gun embodiment.
[0078] FIG. 37B is a partial section view of the embodiment of FIG. 37A.
[0079] FIG. 37C is an isolated view of the bellcrank mechanism of FIG. 37B.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0080] FIG. 16 illustrates an isometric view of the massage device being described as the preferred embodiment of the invention herein. The device 100 comprises a main body 110 having a series of appendages serving the functions of supporting the device and housing the functional components. The device is supported in a self-standing orientation while resting upon a suspension comprising of an oscillating percussive massage head 140 and a non-oscillating gripping surface 143B of a focusing rest 143 which are arranged in a tripod-like support configuration. The device comprises a single massage head for oscillating upon the surface of a first fascia region and a non-oscillating gripping surface for anchoring the massage gun upon a fascia surface at a second fascia region while the focusing rest is fixedly held against the fascia surface of the second fascia region.
[0081] The spacing amongst the focusing rest gripping surface 143B and the massage head 140 is proportioned to provide a self-standing suspension which maintains the axis 112 of the main body substantially perpendicular to the fascia surface absent a grasp of the user.
[0082] The term focusing rest was explained in copending patent application US 2022/0354735A. The term describes an appendage that allows a massage gun to be stabilized by resting a non-oscillating surface upon the fascia surface of one fascia region while focusing the reciprocating portion of a massage gun upon a particular muscle of another fascia region.
[0083] The focusing rest 143 is an injection molded component that is adjoined to the main body 110 at its proximal end and possesses an elastically deformable anchoring cushion 143A adjoined at its distal end. The anchoring cushion 143A is composed of soft elastomeric material such as rubber or urethane and has an axis that is perpendicular to the handle portion 160. A motor-driven bellcrank mechanism for oscillating the massage head resides within a cavity of the main body 110. The massage head comprises a percussive roller 140 which is attached to the distal end of a motor-driven bellcrank 150 which orbitally reciprocates within the cylindrical housing 110 while inducing the roller 140 to reciprocate along a circular arc. Roller 140 freely rotates upon the axis second axle 142 which is attached to a distal end of the bellcrank 150, the roller 140 defining a percussive massage roller which creates percussive contact upon the fascia surface without imposing frictional drag. The anchoring cushion 143A possesses a gripping surface 143B for anchoring the main body in place while maintaining non-oscillating contact with the fascia surface. FIG. 17 is an alternate isometric view which illustrates the configuration of the focusing rest 143 and the anchoring cushion 143A.
[0084] Referring to FIG. 16, the main body 110 has an axis 112 oriented perpendicular to the surface upon which the anchoring cushion 143B and roller 140 rest. A cylindrical projection 190 projects perpendicular to axis 112 and has the function of housing the motor which reciprocates a bellcrank 150 upon which roller 140 is adjoined. Another cylindrical projection 160 extends oppositely to the motor housing 190 and has the function of providing a single handle which is graspable by the user for operating the percussive massage gun with one hand. In some embodiments the handle 160 contains a cavity which houses removeable and/or rechargeable batteries for powering the device motor. In other embodiments, the handle 160 is removeable and contains a battery pack capable of remote charging. The device motor is powered on and off by the pushbutton 112 which is accessible to the user's thumb while grasping the handle 160.
[0085] FIG. 18 illustrates the path of the roller 140 and its extreme positions along the arc which it follows. Roller 140A indicates the extreme position of the massage roller after CW motion of the bellcrank 150 while 140B indicates the extreme position after CCW rotation of the bellcrank 150. Arc 146 indicates the periphery of the massage roller as it follows an arcuate path that is tangent to the fascia surface.
[0086] The bellcrank drive mechanism is especially simple when compared to many prior art massage guns. FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of the device 100 with the main body 110 shown in cut away fashion to expose the bellcrank drive mechanism which resides within the main body 110. A single gear set is comprised of a worm screw 310 which is coupled to the shaft of the drive motor 194 and in mesh with the worm gear 312. The device utilizes the single gear set comprising the worm screw and worm gear to both rotate and translate the upper end of a drive link 320. An eccentric crank 314 is attached to the worm gear 312 and is rotationally driven by the worm drive.
[0087] The drive link 320 is rotationally attached by a ball bearing 316 to the eccentric 314 at a first distal end and rotationally attached to the bellcrank 150 at a second distal end of the drive link by another bearing 318. Bellcrank 150 rotates upon a first axle 328 as the drive link rotates upon the bearing 318. A second axle 142 is attached to the bellcrank and possesses an axis that is parallel with the first axle 328. Percussive roller 140 is attached to the second axle 142 and freely rotates about the axis of axle 142.
[0088] FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B illustrate views of the bellcrank drive mechanism when isolated from the device 100. FIG. 20A is a side elevation view and FIG. 20B is an analogous isometric view of the simple mechanism which utilizes only one gear set to implement triple action massage forces. A single gear set comprising a worm screw 310 and a worm gear 312 is driven by a DC motor 194 and rotates continuously when the device 100 is actuated. A connecting crank 314 is fixedly attached to the worm gear 312 and provides a journal for attaching the drive link 320 to the rotating worm gear 312. Ball bearing 316 is attached to the drive link 320 at its upper distal end and the bellcrank bearing 318 is rotatably attached to the drive link at its lower distal end.
[0089] The bellcrank 150 possesses two axles. The bellcrank rotates about the axis 329 of a first axle 328 which is contained within ball bearings 324. A second axle 142 is attached to the bellcrank and functions as the axis about which roller 140 freely rotates. Ball bearings 324 are fixedly attached to the main body 110 and function as journals upon which the first axle 328 rotates. Locations of the first axle 328 and the second axle 142 are more clearly shown in FIG. 20C, which illustrates an isometric view of the bellcrank 150 without the massage roller 140 or the driving mechanism. The single motor-driven gear set (310 and 312) is responsible for the triple action massage action by oscillating the percussive massage roller 140 while cooperating with the gripping surface 143B.
[0090] As the worm gear 312 rotates continuously CCW, the drive link 320 reciprocates and induces the bellcrank 150 to rotate about its axle 328 in a reciprocating arc. The periphery of the massage roller 140 follows the arcuate path 146 (see FIG. 18) which is tangent to the fascia surface.
[0091] FIG. 21A, FIG. 21B and FIG. 21C illustrate the skin rolling action of the massage roller 140 as the roller progresses along the generalized plane of the fascia surface 410 and creates a skin roll as it approaches the gripping surface 143B. This Myofascial Release motion and Petrissage (skin rolling) action is illustrated by the directional arrows which indicate the relative motion of the massage roller 140 as it creates a travelling compressive wave which travels toward the gripping surface 143B of the focusing rest 143. Referring to FIG. 21A, the bellcrank 150 has begun rotating CW while moving the roller 140 in the direction of arrow 420. The user's pressure on the massage gun causes the roller 140 to create a travelling compressive wave along the fleshy surface of the fascia in the manner previously shown in FIG. 3. This wave is commonly called a skin roll in the art.
[0092] In FIG. 21B the skin roll has migrated in the direction of arrow 420 and has grown slightly larger while being pushed along the fleshy surface by roller 420. Referring to FIG. 21C, as the massage roller 140 continues to move toward the gripping surface 143B of the anchoring cushion 143A, the roller 140 induces a compressive wave that creates the rolling skin fold 430 in the direction of arrow 422. The gripping surface 143B provides resistance in the direction of the compressive wave and helps to force the fascia bulge in a direction vertical to the fascia surface. As the roller 140 reverses direction, the compressive wave is allowed to relax and thereafter stretches (flattens) as the massage roller moves in the direction opposite of arrow 420. The roller action lifts, compresses and stretches the fascia region upon which the device is focused. The free rotation of the roller 140 allows the compressive wave to be created without an uncomfortable frictional drag along the fascia surface.
[0093] FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B demonstrate the range of motion of the massage roller 140 as it moves in the direction substantially perpendicular to the fascia surface. The roller 140 is moving downward in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 22A as it approaches the bottom of its arcuate path. The roller 140 has achieved the bottom of its arcuate path in FIG. 22B and will thereafter rise away from the fascia surface. FIG. 22C illustrates the vertical dimension Z.sup.1 that represents the vertical component of the roller 140 movement as it traverses its arcuate path 146. This motion illustrates the Tapotement (percussive) action of the device 100 which is superimposed upon the Myofascial Release action and the skin rolling (Petrissage) action during each reciprocation cycle of the bellcrank 150. The percussive excursion Z.sup.1 is directed perpendicular to the fascia surface.
[0094] In other embodiments, the spherical surfaces of the roller 140 may be augmented with various fascia-stimulating surface projections. FIG. 23 illustrates an alternate embodiment identified as 100A which utilizes rollers with shallow grooves patterned upon the crowned surfaces of its roller 140J. FIG. 24 illustrates another alternate embodiment identified as 100C which utilizes small pyramidal projections patterned upon the crowned surfaces of its roller 140K.
[0095] The skin rolling action may be made more aggressive by making the roller 140 non-rotatable upon its axle 142. One embodiment shown in FIG. 25 illustrate the disablement of the roller by pinning the roller to the bellcrank with a screw. In the embodiment identified as 100C, the roller 140J becomes affixed to the bellcrank 150 by the screw 152 and rotates about the axis of the first axle 328 rather than the second axle 142. The skin rolling action is made more aggressive in this configuration where the roller 140K is not freely rotatable upon the axis of the second axle 142.
[0096] In another alternate embodiment, the second axle of the bellcrank is configured to mount two freely rotatable massage rollers. FIG. 26 illustrates the configuration of the bellcrank 151 having a first axle 331 and a second axle 330 which is intended to provide a freely rotatable axis for mounting two rollers 140J. The second axle 330 rotates about the axis 329 of the first axle and provides an axis for a first massage roller and a second massage roller that are both freely rotatable upon the axis of the second axle 330.
[0097] The bellcrank 151 is utilized in an alternate embodiment massage gun configuration as shown in FIG. 27A and FIG. 27B. This configuration, identified as massage gun 100D, uses two massage rollers 140J which are freely rotatable upon the axis of the second axle 330. Massage gun embodiment 100D also utilizes a gripping surface 137A having a curvilinear shape, where the term curvilinear shape includes gripping surfaces having cylindrical or spherical surfaces that can be concave or convex. FIG. 27A and FIG. 27B illustrate alternate isometric views of the massage gun having dual massage rollers and a spherical gripping surface 137A which extends from the conical cushion 137 which is adjoined to focusing rest 145. Cushion 137 is composed of a soft elastomeric material such as soft rubber or urethane which has a high friction coefficient and is easily deformable. The dual massage rollers 140J and the spherical gripping surface 137A cooperate to form the same skin rolling action as was illustrated in FIG. 21A, FIG. 21B and FIG. 21C. The spacing between the massage rollers and the spherical gripping surface of massage gun 100D also produces a massage gun configuration with a self-standing tripod-like suspension which maintains the axis of the main body substantially perpendicular to the fascia surface absent a grasp of the user.
[0098] The gripping surface is detachable from the massage gun's main body in an alternate embodiment. FIG. 28A and FIG. 28B illustrate another embodiment where the focusing rest 145A and its gripping surface 137A are configured to be detachable from the massage gun 100E. In this embodiment a clamping mechanism is utilized to attach the focusing rest 145A. A clamp knob 149 is tightened to clamp the focusing rest 145A to the main body of the massage gun.
[0099] Other types of attachment means may be utilized including thumb screws, straps and twist lock devices. The detachable configuration allows the focusing rest to be sold as an optional accessory or to be packaged and stored in a compact configuration.
[0100] Another embodiment with a detachable gripping surface is shown in FIG. 29A and FIG. 29B. The focusing rest gripping surface 157A of massage gun 100F is curvilinear in shape, having a concave gripping surface that is intended to help align the direction of the arc of the reciprocating roller 140J with the axis of a limb such as an arm or a thigh. The axis 159 of the gripping surface 157A is parallel to the axis of the handle 160 and defines a cylindrical shape. The parallel axis feature helps to keep the massage head centered upon the axis of the limb. Cushion 157 is made of a soft conformable material with a high coefficient of friction such as a soft rubber or urethane. The detachable attribute of the focusing rest 158 in FIG. 29A allows this configuration to be optionally offered as an alternative accessory. The massage roller in this embodiment utilizes the same mechanism as shown in FIG. 19 to induce a fascia bulge as the roller 140J moves toward the gripping surface 157A (see FIG. 21A to FIG. 21C).
[0101] The massage roller may be further modified such that its periphery is concentric with the first axle rather than concentric with the second axle 142. FIG. 30 and FIG. 31 illustrate an alternate embodiment whereupon the massage head is a roller 640 which rotates about the axis 629 of the first axle 631 and is fixedly attached to the bellcrank 650. Referring to FIG. 30, the surface 640A of the roller 640 is concentric with the axis of the first axle 631 and that surface follows an arcuate path 646 that is tangent to the fascia surface as the bellcrank 650 reciprocates. The motorized bellcrank reciprocating mechanism of massage gun 600 is exactly the same as that shown in FIG. 19 with the exception of the distal end of the bellcrank. The configuration of bellcrank 650 is shown in FIG. 30A where the roller 640 is fixedly attached to the bellcrank and therefore rotates about the axis 629 of the first axle 631.
[0102] The alternative embodiment 600 utilizes the focusing rest 143 whose gripping surface 143B has an axis perpendicular to the massage gun handle 160. Other embodiments of gripping surfaces having curvilinear shapes such as cylindrical and spherical surfaces can be implemented that cooperate with the bellcrank 650 as further explained below.
[0103] Massage gun variant 600 is more aggressive in the skin rolling cellulite application because it imposes more contact area upon the fleshy fascia target region than do the configurations where the massage head roller freely rotates upon the second axle. The roller surface 640A remains tangent to the fascia surface while the bellcrank 650 oscillates. The noncircular shape of the roller 640 as shown in FIG. 30 increases the amount of surface area in contact with the fascia during skin rolling. The surface 640A additionally possesses stimulating projections to help grasp the skin roll in the first fascia region while the non-oscillating gripping surface 143B remains affixed to the second fascia region.
[0104] FIG. 32A and FIG. 32B illustrate the action of the massage roller 640 when targeting a first fascia region for treatment. While grasping the massage gun handle 160 with one hand, the user places the gripping surface upon a second fascia region to anchor the massage gun 600 upon the fascia. The user thereafter pivots the massage gun about the axis of the gripping surface until the massage head surface 640A is in contact with the fascia. The button 116 is engaged to empower the motor 194 to reciprocate the roller 640A along the fascia surface. Rotation of the bellcrank pushes the compressed fascia wave toward the gripping surface 143B while the bellcrank is rotating CCW such that the massage head creates a skin roll as it approaches the gripping surface. The skin roll becomes trapped by the gripping surface, causing the skin roll to bulge upward (exaggerated). As the roller 640 reverses its direction away from the gripping surface, the rolling fascia bulge becomes stretched as the compressive stress is relieved, and the fascia region experiences stretching which flattens the skin roll. The massage head is continuously reciprocated along the arcuate path by the motor upon the first fascia region while the non-oscillating gripping surface remains in a fixed position upon the second fascia region.
[0105] The massage gun 600 may be modified to utilize a detachable gripping surface in other embodiments. FIG. 33 and FIG. 34 illustrate embodiments having gripping surfaces which comprise curvilinear shapes. The massage gun embodiment 600A shown in FIG. 33 is modified to allow the focusing rest 145A to be detachable in the event that it is desirable to sell the focusing rest as an optional accessory for the massage gun 600A. Focusing rest 145A offers a spherical gripping surface 137A and was previously shown in FIG. 28A and 28B. In alternate embodiment, the spherical gripping surface 137A of the focusing rest 145A may be integrally adjoined to the main body 110.
[0106] A focusing rest 158 having a curvilinear shape comprising a concave cylindrical gripping surface 157A and an axis 159 parallel to the massage gun handle 160 could also be offered as an accessory as shown in the variant 600B in FIG. 34. Focusing rest attachment 158 is previously shown in FIG. 29A and 29B. The attachment 158 is sufficiently proportioned such that spacing amongst the massage head and the gripping surface is proportioned to provide a self-standing suspension which maintains the axis of the main body substantially perpendicular to the fascia surface absent a grasp of the user. The concave gripping surface 157A of focusing rest 158 may be integrally adjoined to the main body 110 in another embodiment.
[0107] Alternate embodiments may utilize different bellcrank actuation mechanisms. The bellcrank 150 shown in FIG. 19 and the bellcrank 650 shown in FIG. 30 may be powered by mechanisms other than what is shown in those figures. For example, FIG. 35A shows an alternate embodiment massage gun 700 having a bellcrank 750 that is driven directly by the motor's worm screw 310. Rather than continuously rotating, the worm screw 310 reciprocates first CW and then CCW which reciprocates the bellcrank 750 such that the massage head periphery 750A follows an arcuate path 746 that is tangent to the fascia surface. Bellcrank 750 possesses a toothed portion 712 which meshes with the teeth of worm screw 310. The bellcrank 750 is directly driven by the worm screw 310 and the bellcrank excursion distance along the arc 746 is proportional to the rotational excursion of the motor 194. The bellcrank has rotated to it extreme CW direction in FIG. 35A and has achieved its extreme CCW position in FIG. 35B.
[0108] FIG. 35C shows an isolated view of the directly driven bellcrank 750 which oscillates about the first axle 728 having a rotation axis 729. Axle 728 is constrained to rotate within ball bearings 724 which are fixedly attached to the main body 110 of massage gun 700. As the motor rotates in the direction A, the bellcrank 750 rotates proportionally in the direction A.sup.1. As the motor rotation reverses and thereafter rotates in the direction B, the bellcrank 750 rotates proportionally in the direction B.sup.1. The embodiment of FIG. 35A has the advantage that the excursion length of the massage head along the reciprocating arc 746 may be made longer or shorter by adjusting the rotational excursion of the motor. In one embodiment, the massage gun may have an operator control for the purpose of adjusting the bellcrank excursion distance whereupon the operator control responds by adjusting the magnitude of the motor rotational excursions.
[0109] FIG. 35D demonstrates the range of motion of the massage roller surface 750A as it moves in the direction substantially perpendicular to the fascia surface. The roller surface 750A is moving downward in the direction of the arrow in the figure as it approaches the bottom of its arcuate path. The vertical dimension Z.sup.2 represents the vertical component of the roller 750A movement as it traverses its arcuate path 746. This motion illustrates the Tapotement (percussive) action of the device 700 which is superimposed upon the Myofascial Release action and the skin rolling (Petrissage) action during each reciprocation cycle of the bellcrank 750. The percussive excursion Z.sup.2 is directed perpendicular to the fascia surface.
[0110] The massage gun 700 (FIG. 35A) may be reconfigured for more economic manufacture by combining functions. FIG. 36A, FIG. 36B and FIG. 36C illustrate an alternate embodiment massage gun 800 whereupon the focusing rest function is integrated into the handle such that the handle is grasped for one hand operation while simultaneously providing the focusing rest anchoring function. Referring to FIG. 36A, the handle 860 extends from the main body 810 to facilitate one hand operation by the user as the user's thumb actuates the switch 816 to empower the motor 194. The roller surface 750A reciprocates upon the fascia surface of the first fascia region as the curvilinear gripping surface 843A anchors the massage gun upon the second fascia region. The gripping surface is adjoined to the handle in this embodiment.
[0111] FIG. 36B is a partial section view through the main body 810 which illustrates the position of the directly driven bellcrank 750 which rotates upon first axle 728. The bellcrank driving mechanism shown in FIG. 36B is identical to the bellcrank driving mechanism shown in FIG. 35C.
[0112] Referring to FIG. 36C, the gripping surfaces 843A of massage gun embodiment 800 are adjoined to the handle portion 860. Two annular rings 843 are adjoined to the handle portion with epoxy such that they are non-rotatable while providing the gripping function upon the second fascia region. The cylindrical rings 843 provide curvilinear gripping surfaces that are made from soft elastomeric materials with high friction coefficients. Exemplary materials for the rings include soft rubber or soft urethane that have a high friction coefficient for anchoring the contact surface upon the second fascia region. Embodiment 800 utilizes the directly driven motorized bellcrank configuration to induce skin rolling action in the same way as illustrated in FIG. 32A and FIG. 32B.
[0113] The integrated focusing rest configuration of massage gun 800 may be utilized in an embodiment which utilizes a massage head that includes the freely rotating roller as shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 37A illustrates an embodiment that combines the integrated handle 860 with the reciprocating massage head and freely rotating roller 140J which was previously illustrated in FIG. 23. FIG. 37B illustrates a partial section view of the massage gun 800A showing bellcrank 870 which rotates upon the axis 829 of the first axle 828 while the roller 140J rotates upon the axis 142A of the second axle 142. Referring to FIG. 37C, bellcrank 870 possesses a toothed portion 812 which meshes with worm screw 310. CW and CCW rotations of the motor cause the bellcrank 870 to rotate about a first axle 828 while the roller 140J rotates about a second axle 142. The periphery of the roller 140J reciprocates along an arcuate path. Massage gun 800A operates in the same manner as the massage gun 100 that is illustrated in FIG. 18 by sweeping roller 140 through a reciprocating arc 146 (FIG. 18), wherein the arc is tangent to the fascia surface. Roller 140J induces skin rolling action in the same way as illustrated in FIG. 21A, 21B and 21C.
[0114] The massage gun embodiment 800A shown in FIG. 37B has the advantage that the excursion length of the roller 140J along its arcuate path may be made adjusted longer or shorter by adjusting the rotational excursion of the motor. In one embodiment, the massage gun may have an operator control for the purpose of adjusting the length of the massage head excursion length along its arcuate path whereupon the operator control responds by variably adjusting the magnitude of the motor's CW and CCW rotational excursions.
[0115] One of ordinary skill, having designer's choice, may choose to utilize different forms of actuators and massage head configurations than those described herein. Other known forms of mechanisms for reciprocating the bellcrank may be substituted for those described herein. The device may be configured in other logical ways to provide a gripping surface on one fascia region while reciprocating a massage head upon a separate fascia region without deviating from the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.
