Abstract:
A roller massage apparatus is provided which enables therapy routines to be performed on various body muscle groups. A frame structure is part of the apparatus and comprises a base frame with a generally horizontal user support member having an opening being mounted thereon. The upper end of a roller structure rotatably supports a spherical roller, while its lower end mounts to the base frame so that at least a portion of the spherical roller extends through the opening of the user support member. The user operates the apparatus by positioning themselves upon the user support member and engaging with their body the portion of the spherical roller which extends through the opening. The vertical position of the spherical roller may be adjusted, and the frame structure itself may be collapseable for storage.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/284,376, filed Sep. 28, 2008. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a roller massage apparatus which has a generally horizontal user support structure with a roller element supported by the structure that allows the user to perform therapy routines on upper and lower body muscle areas. These routines are performed while in a relatively relaxed position. The ability to engage the muscles of the user with a roller element which rolls against the muscles allows for an easy and comfortable massage type therapy for muscle groups which are sore or have been traumatized due to an accident or illness. 
       SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It is the object of this invention to provide a therapeutic apparatus which may provide the user an efficient and inexpensive means for messaging upper and lower body muscle groups. The main purpose of this application is to demonstrate an apparatus which performs the stated function, and to demonstrate the many options and configurations this apparatus may take on. 
         [0004]    Briefly stated, the apparatus that forms the basis of the present invention comprises a frame structure means, a roller structure means, and a roller engagement means. The roller structure means is mounted upon the frame structure means, while the roller engagement means is supported by the roller structure means. The user will place themselves upon the frame structure means and engage the roller engagement means with a muscle group. Also, optional features of the apparatus which make the apparatus more flexible are an adjustable roller structure means and a collapseable frame structure means. 
         [0005]    The design of the apparatus is such that the roller engagement means is rotatably support by the roller structure means so that the roller engagement means may rotate in any direction. Also, the frame structure means has a relatively horizontal, table-top like user support member, preferrably padded, for supporting the user. The user support member has an opening through which the roller engagement means extends to a level which is above the top surface of the user support means. Thus the user is able to engage the roller engagement means with various muscles of the body while being supported by the user support means. The roller engagement means will produce force or pressure against those muscles groups which are engaging the roller engagement means. This force or pressure should provide relief from soreness, aches, and pains which are located in the engaged muscle group. In addition to providing a type of therapeutic exercise, the apparatus will assist with the removal of fat tissues and cellulite from affected body areas. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1A  is a front view of the roller massage apparatus. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1B  is a side view of the roller massage apparatus. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1C  is a top view of the roller massage apparatus. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2A  is a front view of the frame structure means of the roller massage apparatus. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2B  is a side view of the frame structure means of the roller massage apparatus. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2C  is a top view of the frame structure means of the roller massage apparatus. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3A  is a front view of the roller structure means of the roller massage apparatus. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3B  is a side view of the roller structure means of the roller massage apparatus. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3C  is a top view of the roller structure means of the roller massage apparatus. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4A  is a front view of the roller engagement means of the roller massage apparatus. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4B  is a side view of the roller engagement means of the roller massage apparatus. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4C  is a top view of the roller engagement means of the roller massage apparatus. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5A  is a front view of the roller massage apparatus showing how the roller engagement means may rotate about a first axis of rotation. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5B  is a side view of the roller massage apparatus showing how the roller engagement means may rotate about a second axis of rotation. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5C  is a top view of the roller massage apparatus showing how the roller engagement means may rotate about a third axis of rotation. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 6A ,  6 B, and  6 C are side views of the roller massage apparatus, demonstrating an adjustable roller structure means which allows the roller engagement means to be positioned at various elevations. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are side and top views respectfully of the roller structure means having bearing elements for making movement of the roller engagement means smoother. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are front views of the roller massage apparatus having a collapseable frame structure means, along with wheel elements, which makes for easy transport and storage of the apparatus. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9A  is a side view of the lever adjusting means of the roller massage apparatus which may be used to adjust the roller structure means in the upward and downward directions. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9B  is a top view of the lever adjusting means of the roller massage apparatus which may be used to adjust the roller structure means in the upward and downward directions. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9C  is a front view of the lever adjusting means of the roller massage apparatus which may be used to adjust the roller structure means in the upward and downward directions. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9D  is a front view of the lever adjusting means of the roller massage apparatus demonstrating how the lever adjustment means may adjustably mount to the frame structure means. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10A  is a side view of the roller massage apparatus demonstrating how the lever adjusting means may be used to position the roller structure means at a lower elevation. 
           [0029]      FIG. 10B  is a side view of the roller massage apparatus demonstrating how the lever adjusting means may be used to position the roller structure means at a middle elevation. 
           [0030]      FIG. 10C  is a side view of the roller massage apparatus demonstrating how the lever adjusting means may be used to position the roller structure means at a higher elevation. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0031]    Before explaining in detail the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description, and not limitation. 
         [0032]    As best can be seen by references to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1A-1C , the roller massage apparatus that forms the basis of the present invention is designated generally by the reference numeral  1 , and includes a frame structure means  10 , a roller structure means  20 , and a roller engagement means  30 . The roller structure means  20  is mounted on the frame structure means  10 , while the roller engagement means  30  is rotatably supported by the roller structure means  20 . A lever adjusting means  40  may also be part of the apparatus which may be used to position the roller structure means at various elevations. 
         [0033]    As may be seen in  FIGS. 2A-2C , the frame structure means  10  comprises a user support member  11 , side support members  12 , main support members  13 , roller structure support member  14 , cross support members  15 , roller opening  16 , and frame attachment opening  17 . The user support member  11  is a relatively horizontal surface, preferrably padded, supported along its sides by side support members  12 , and along its front and rear by main support members  13 . Cross support members  15  connect the front and rear main support members  13 , and also supports roller structure support member  14 . Roller structure support member  14  is mounted to cross support members  15  directly below roller opening  16 , and has a frame attachment opening  17 . Roller opening  16  is a generally round opening in the general center of user support member  11 . 
         [0034]    As may be seen in  FIGS. 3A-4C , roller structure means  20  comprises a generally upright main roller structure member  22  with roller support member  21  rigidly mounted thereon. Roller engagement means  30  is comprised of a spherical roller element  31  which is a spherical shaped object having a smooth surface. Roller support member  21  is sized to rotatably receive spherical roller element  31 . Roller structure member  22  has a main roller structure opening  23  which is used for mounting the member to frame attachment opening  17  of frame structure means  10 . 
         [0035]    The basic operation of roller massage apparatus  1  may be seen in  FIGS. 5A-5C . As shown, the main roller structure member  22  of roller structure means  20  fits within roller structure support member  14  of frame structure means  10 . Frame attachment opening  17  and main roller structure opening  23  are aligned so that a bolt or pin may be used to secure the two together. As may also be seen, spherical roller element  31  is rotatably supported by roller support member  21 , such that spherical roller element  31  may rotate about the X, Y, and Z axes, either one at a time or simultaneous. As may also be seen, a portion of spherical roller element  31  extends above the top surface of the user support member  11  of frame structure means  10 . The portion of spherical roller element  31  which extends above user support member  11  is the part which is engaged by the user. The user may lay or sit on user support member  11  and engage spherical roller element  31  with any desired muscle group. Since the roller engagement means  31  is free to rotate in any direction, the user may engage it from any direction, and thus apply a force or pressure to the desired muscle groups from any direction. This ability makes the apparatus extremely flexible and thus very useful. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 6A-6C  demonstrate roller massage apparatus  1  having an adjustment feature. The main roller structure member  22  may have several main roller structure openings  23 , any of which may be aligned with frame attachment opening  17  and secured via a bolt or pin. Since the main roller structure openings  23  are at different elevations, a portion of spherical roller element  31  may thus be secured at levels above the top surface of user support member  11 . This feature allows the user to vary the direction and the amount of the force or pressure exerted by spherical roller element  31  on the desired muscle group. As example, with spherical roller element  31  is in the position shown in  FIG. 6A , the user may sit on the user support member  11 , and engage spherical roller element  31  with thigh and calf muscle groups. When the spherical roller element  31  is in the position shown in  FIG. 6B , the user may lay upon the user support member  11  either face down or on their side, and engage spherical roller element  31  with abdominal muscle groups. When the spherical roller element  31  is in the position shown in  FIG. 6C , the user may lay upon the user support member  11  either face up or on their side, and engage spherical roller element  31  with back and neck muscle groups. The force or pressure exerted by spherical roller element  31  on the respective muscle group will create a therapeutic form of exercise, similar to a message, providing relief from soreness, aches, and pains. These are only examples, and any muscle group may engage the spherical roller element  31  while it is in any position. Also, engaging spherical roller element  31  with the abdominal and thigh muscle groups should assist with the breakdown and removal of fat tissue and cellulite. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  demonstrate a roller structure means  20  which utilizes bearings to make rotation of spherical roller element  31  smoother. As may be seen, bearing elements  24 , which may be a type of roller or slider bearings, may be mounted to the roller support member  21  of roller structure means  20  at various positions. Thus when spherical roller element  31  moves against bearing elements  24 , instead of directly against roller support member  21 , the amount of friction is reduced, making movement smoother and easier. 
         [0038]    As may be seen in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the frame structure means  10  may have a collapseable feature which make the apparatus easier to store and transport. User support member  11  may be composed of two separate components  11 A and  11 B, each of which may be pivotably mounted to main support members  13  so that they may be pivoted in the upward direction. Also, side support members  12  may be pivotally mounted to user support members  11 A and  11 B so that they may be folded inward, towards the underside of user support members  11 A and  11 B. User support members  11 A and  11 B may be secured in the upward position, while side support members  12  may be secured in their inward position, through some type of securing means such as a chord, rope, or tie. Alternately, a type of lock and release mechanism, which is commonly found in folding tables, may be utilized. The ability to collapse the apparatus greatly reduces the amount of horizontal space the apparatus encompasses while being stored or transported. Also, wheel elements  18  may be attached to main support members  13  to also make storage and transport easier. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 9A ,  9 B, and  9 C demonstrate a lever adjusting means  40  which may also be part of the roller massage apparatus  1 . Lever adjusting means  40  is comprised of a first member  41  and a second member  42 . First member  41  may be a tubular-type structure sized to receive second member  42 , such that second member  42  may move back and forth within first member  41 . First member  41  is pivotally mounted at one end to one of the main support members  13  of frame structure means  10 . First member  41  may have an vertical opening  47  and main support member  13  may have a vertical opening  48 , which may be aligned with one another and a bolt or pin placed through each to pivotably secure the two together. 
         [0040]    The other free end of first member  41  is used to receive one end of second member  42 . As may be seen, this end of second member  42  fits within first member  41 . The opposite end may have a handle member  45  mounted thereon. The handle member  45  is used by the user to move second member  42  within first member  41 , and is also used to pivot first member  41  in the upward and downward directions. Perpendicularly mounted to second member  42  is a securing member  44 . As may be seen in  FIG. 9D , mounted at various intervals along the other main support member  13  of frame structure means  10  are mounting brackets  49 . These mounting brackets  49  are constructed to securely hold securing member  44  such that first member  41  and second member  42  are not allowed to move or pivot. As may also be seen, first member  41  may have a curved support member  43 . 
         [0041]    As may be seen in  FIGS. 10A-10C , the lever adjusting means  40  may be used to secure the main roller structure member  22  of roller structure means  20  at various elevations along roller structure support member  14 , the adjusting means  40  is used to support the lower end of main roller structure member  22 , instead of using a bolt or pin as has been previously shown. 
         [0042]    As shown, the lever adjusting means  40  may be pivoted mounted at one end to one main support member  13 , and secured at the opposite end to the other main support member  13  using securing member  44  and mounting brackets  49 . This allows roller structure means  20  to be positioned at various elevations. To change the elevations, the user would grasp handle member  45  with their hand, pivot first member  41  upward so that securing member  44  is above the current set of mounting brackets  49 , push second member  42  further into first member  41 , pivot first member  41  to the desired new elevation, pull second member  42  and securing member  44  back towards and above the new set of mounting brackets  49 , and lower securing member  44  onto these mounting brackets  49  so that they are secured to one another. 
         [0043]    As mentioned previously, support member  43  may have a curved upper surface, while main roller structure member  22  may also have a curved lower end. These curved features should allow the contact point between the two to remain relatively perpendicular, no matter the position of the lever adjusting means  40 . 
         [0044]    Many variations of the roller massage apparatus exist, along with the configurations described above. While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment of the invention herein disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation, and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.