WO1997040807A1

WO1997040807A1 - Topical body massager

Info

Publication number: WO1997040807A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/007687
Authority: WO
Inventors: Teri Benaron
Original assignee: Jb Research, Inc.
Priority date: 1996-04-29
Filing date: 1997-04-28
Publication date: 1997-11-06

Abstract

A massager (20) includes three vibration producing pillowed sections (22, 24, 26) that are so angled with respect to one another as to provide a multi-dimensional shape or configuration to enable the massager to conform to any one of multiple parts of a user's body, such as the neck, back, leg, knee, arm and elbow. An interior support (32) is constructed from segments (38, 40, 42) and three upstanding ribs (44) to form receptacles in which a vibration producing mechanism (46) and its power supply (48) are protectively and securely retained. The angled segments and attached ribs provide a vibration network that can distribute the vibrations to the body part, however configured, such as the front and back of an elbow or knee. Support (32) also forms a foundation for supporting cushioning material (34). A zippered opening (50) in the back of center section (26) permits access to the batteries for their placement and replacement or, alternately, to an electric cord which is connectable to an external source of power. A switch (52) is secured to and within the massager for turning the vibrator on and off, and additional switches or controls may be added to provide any other function as may be desired, such as to increase or decrease the vibrational energy.

Description

TOPICAL BODY MASSAGER

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a massaging apparatus and, in particular, to such apparatus for massaging topical parts of the body.

Massaging devices are provided with a body contacting surface which may be described as generally having a flat or one dimensional configuration, although they may be flexible or fluffy in order that they may be conformed to the shape of the part of the body against which they are to be placed. Often, such a configuration is unacceptable as, for example, not being capable of uniformly applying their vibrational energy to the body part.

SUMMARY

This an other problems are successfully addressed and overcome by the present invention by providing a plurality of vibration producing pillow zones, for example, three in number, which are so angled with respect to one another as to provide a multi-dimensional shape or configuration that enables the massager to conform to any one of multiple parts of a user's body, such as the neck, back, leg, knee, arm and elbow. The interior support is sufficiently rigid to retain the vibration producing mechanism and its power supply, such as a battery pack, to support for cushioning material, and to provide a vibration network whereby the vibrations may be distributed to the body part, however configured, e.g., the front and back of an elbow or knee.

Several advantages are derived from this arrangement.

The topical body massager is uniquely shaped to enable it to conform comfortably to multiple body locations. Its multiple pillows also enable it to better conform to various body contours.

Other aims and advantages, as well as a more complete understanding of the present invention, will appear from the following explanation of exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings thereof.

DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is perspective view of a massager showing a preferred and productized design of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view of the front of the massager shown in Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a view of the back of the massager shown in Fig. 1;

Figure 4 is a view of the massager shown in Fig. 1 taken from its top side; Figure 5 is a view of the massager shown in Fig. 1 taken from its bottom side;

Figure 6 is a view of the back of the massager shown in Fig. 1 taken from one of its sides;

Figure 7 is a view of the back of the massager shown in Fig. 1 taken from the other of its sides;

Figure 8 is a rear elevational view of the interior of the present invention depicted in Figs. 1-7;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the massager shown in Fig. 8 taken along line 9-9 thereof; Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the massager taken along a line normal to that shown in Fig. 9;

Figure 11 is a view of the massager shown in Figs. 1- 10 applied to a user's neck;

Figure 12 is a view of the massager shown in Figs. 1- 10 applied to a user's lower back;

Figure 13 is a view of the massager shown in Figs. 1- 10 positioned on a head rest of a seat; Figure 14 is a view of the massager shown in Figs. 1- positioned on a lower back portion of a seat;

Figure 15 is a view of the massager shown in Figs. 1- applied to the front of a user's knee; Figure 16 is a view of the massager shown in Figs. 1- applied to the back of a user's knee;

Figure 17 is a view of the massager shown in Figs. 1- applied to both thighs of a user's knee;

Figure 18 is a view of the massager shown in Figs, l- applied to the front of a user's elbow; and

Figure 19 is a view of the massager shown in Figs. 1- applied to the user's biceps.

DESCRIPTION

Accordingly, Figs. 1-10 illustrate a topical body massager 20 comprising three sections including outer sections 22 and 24 and a center section 26 joined thereto at rigid joints 28 and 30. Sections 22, 24 and 26 preferably include a supporting member or structure 32 (see FIGS. 8-10) of relative rigid material to which a cushioning or pillow material 34 (FIGS. 9 and 10) is secured by conventional means. As best illustrated in FIG. 10, outer sections 22 and 24 are angled from the plane of the center section 26 by a discrete amount, as depicted by angles 36. Angles 36 are generally 45° from the plane of the center section 26; however, the angles may be adjusted to any other set angle or angles as may be desired.

Supporting member 32 comprises three segments 38, 40 and 42, which are strengthened by a plurality of ribs 44 secured at right angles to segments 38, 40 and 42 to ensure the rigid integrity of member 32.

Ribs 44 are spaced from one another to provide a pair of three-sided receptacles 45 respectively for receiving and retaining a vibration mechanism 46 and a power supply, such as a battery pack 48. The three-sided receptacles also provide for security of the vibration mechanism against shock and other possibly damaging blows and implements. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, a zippered opening 50 in the back of center section 26 permits access to the batteries for their placement and replacement. If desired, an electric cord and a power converter, if needed, may replace battery pack 48 for connection in an outlet in a home or automobile, e.g., through an automobile cigarette lighter socket. A switch

52, shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6, 9 and 9, is secured to an within massager 20 for turning the vibrator on and off, and to provide any other function as may be desired, such as to increase or decrease the vibrational energy.

Because of its angled configuration, topical body massager 20 may be applied to any part of the user's body, as depicted in FIGS. 11-19, such as about the user's neck (FIG. 11) and lower back (FIG. 12) , a head rest and back portion of a chair or automobile seat (FIGS. 13 and 14), the user's knee cap or back of the knee (FIGS. 15 and 16), both thighs adjacent the user's knee (FIG. 17), a user's elbow (FIG. 18) and the user's biceps (FIG. 19).

To secure the massager to a seat 54, as depicted in FIGS. 13 and 14, reference is directed to FIGS 1-7. Seat 54, as shown in FIGS 13 and 14, includes a seat back 56, a seat cushion 58, and a head rest 60 secured to seat back 56. Straps 62 are integrated with body massager 20 and used to secure it, for example, to seat 54, such as to its head rest 60 and to its seat back 56. The straps 62 by comprise an elastic band, or a two part elastic or solid band which can be joined together by any suitable means, such as a buckle or a Velcro* hook and loop fastening system.

Although the invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments thereof, it should be realized that various changes and modification may be made therein without departing from the spirt and scope of the invention.

Claims

£LAIM£

1. A topical body massager conformable to a selected part of a user's body, comprising: a plurality of vibration producing pillow sections including a vibration producing mechanism and a power supply therefor, cushioning material and a jointed interior supporting structure, said supporting structure supporting said cushioning material and including at least two jointed segments, at least one of said segments supporting said vibration producing mechanism and said power supply, said jointed segments being angled with respect to one another to provide a multi-dimensional configuration capable of conforming said pillow sections to the selected part of the user's body, and providing a vibration network for distributing the vibrations from said vibration producing mechanism to the selected body part.

2. A topical body massager according to claim 1 in which said jointed segments are rigidly secured to one another.

3. A topical body massager according to claim 1 in which said jointed segments are configured as to permit adaptation of said sections to any part of the body.

4. A topical body massager according to claim 1 in which said supporting structure further includes at least one rib secured to an upstanding from said segments for ensuring rigidity of said supporting structure.

5. A topical body massager according to claim 7 in which said rib and said segment provide a receptacle for receiving and retaining said vibration producing mechanism and said power supply.

6. A topical body massager according to claim 1 in which said supporting structure further includes a pair of ribs spaced from one another and secured to an upstanding from said segments for ensuring rigidity of said supporting structure.

7. A topical body massager according to claim ? in which said ribs and said segment provide a three-sided receptacle for receiving and retaining said vibration producing mechanism.

8. A topical body massager according to claim ? in which said supporting structure further includes three ribs spaced from one another and secured to and upstanding from said segments for ensuring rigidity of said supporting structure.

9. A topical body massager according to claim ? in which said ribs and said segment provide a pair of three- sided receptacles for respective receipt and retention of said vibration producing mechanism and said power supply.

10. A topical body massager conformable to any part of a user's body, comprising: a plurality of vibration producing pillow sections including a vibration producing mechanism and a power supply therefor, cushioning material and a jointed interior supporting structure, said supporting structure supporting said cushioning material and including three segments affixed together in series to provide a pair of outer segments mounted to a central segment, said central segment supporting said vibration producing mechanism and said power supply, and a pair of ribs spaced from one another and secured to an upstanding generally at right angles from said segments for ensuring a rigidity of said supporting structure for providing a pair of three-sided receptacles for respective receipt and retention of \said vibration producing mechanism and said power supply, said jointed segments being angles with respect to one another to provide a multi-dimensional configuration capable of conforming said pillow sections to any selected one of the parts of the user's body, and providing a vibration network for distributing the vibrations from said vibration producing mechanism to the selected body part