EXTENSION ARM ATTACHMENT FOR A MASSAGER APPARATUS

Various embodiments of an extension arm attachment configured for coupling with a portable massager apparatus are disclosed.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to extension arms for portable devices, and in particular to an extension arm attachment configured for engaging a portable “T”-style hand-held massager device.

BACKGROUND

Portable hand-held massager devices, such as “T”-style hand-held percussion massager devices, are well known for providing rehabilitative and therapeutic massaging effects to a user. Typically, these types of portable massager devices are held by the hand and manipulated by the user to massage particular portions of the body; however, areas of the body, such the back, are difficult to reach and directly apply the portable massager. As such, portable hand-held massager devices lack a means for allowing a user to contact those hard-to-reach areas of the body, such as the upper and lower back areas.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of an extension arm attachment configured for securely mounting a portable massager device, such as a “T”-style portable massager devices, that extends the reach of the portable massager device such the user can reach previously inaccessible areas of the body with the portable massager device due to the additional extension provided by the extension arm attachment when mounted to the portable massager device. In some embodiments, the extension arm attachment includes an extension arm forming an elongated body coupled with a coupling member mounted to one end of the extension arm. In one aspect, the coupling member defines an inner channel configured to receive the handle of a portable massager device and collectively forms an inner shoulder with the extension arm to define a mounting surface for mounting the portable massager device to the inner channel of the coupling member. In some embodiments, a cable tie is provided to securely mount the portable massager device to the extension arm. Referring to the drawings, an embodiment of an extension arm attachment for coupling with a massager apparatus is illustrated and generally indicated as100inFIGS. 1-8.

Referring toFIGS. 1-4, an embodiment of the extension arm attachment, designated100, is illustrated. As shown, the extension arm attachment100includes a hollow, tubular-shaped extension arm101configured to securely engage a coupling member102. In some embodiments, the extension arm101and coupling member102are made from an ABS material that allow a cable tie103to securely couple the attachment arm101to the coupling member102. In one method of assembly, the attachment arm101is received within the coupling member102such that the attachment arm101extends a distance within the coupling member102. In some embodiments, a band111of a cable tie103may be tightened around groove114of the coupling member102by inserting the band111through a housing110that engages serrations (not shown) formed along one side of the band111until the band111produces a compressive force around the coupling member102such that the coupling member102cannot be disengaged from the extension arm101. In some embodiments, the cable tie103may be tightened around the coupling member102either by hand or by machine. In some embodiments, the extension arm101and coupling member102may be manufactured as a single unitary construct without requiring prior assembly during manufacture.

Referring back toFIG. 1, as noted above the extension arm attachment100is configured to be coupled with a conventional portable massager apparatus10, for example, a “T”-style portable percussion massager apparatus; however, any portable massager apparatus with a suitable handle may be coupled to the extension arm attachment. The extension arm attachment100is configured to be coupled with the handle14of the portable massager apparatus10. In one method of assembling the portable massager apparatus10to the extension arm attachment100, the handle14may be partially disposed within the coupling member102such that the rubberized grip of the portable massager apparatus10is either partially or fully disposed within the coupling member102. In some embodiments of the portable massager apparatus10, remains exposed and only the free end of the handle14is engaged with the coupling member101, while in other methods of assembly the handle14is fully disposed within the coupling member102of the extension arm attachment100. In either case, a user will be able to grip the handle14and operate the portable massager apparatus10under normal use once the extension arm attachment100is connected.

Referring toFIG. 3, the extension arm101forms an elongated tubular-shaped body forming a distal end portion104configured for mounting the coupling member102with the portable massager apparatus10and an opposite proximal end portion105configured to be used as a gripping surface116. As further shown, an end cap117seals off the proximal opening115of the extension arm101. The extension arm101defines a distal opening112formed at the distal end104of the extension arm101that communicates with an inner channel113that extends the length of the extension arm101.

As shown inFIG. 3, the coupling member102forms a body106defining a distal end108and an opposing proximal end109with an axial channel107formed between and in communication with a distal end108and a proximal ends109, respectively. In some embodiments, the coupling member102may be attached or formed integral with the distal end portion104of the extension arm101. Once engaged to the extension arm101, the coupling member102is configured to receive the handle14of the portable massager apparatus10such that the portable massager apparatus10is securely mounted to the coupling member102of the extension arm attachment100. In one aspect, the body106of the coupling member102defines a shallow circumferential groove114configured to receive the clamping tie103for tightening and securing the distal end104of the extension arm101to the proximal end109of the coupling member102. In another aspect, the handle14of the portable massager apparatus10may be configured to house a conventional lithium ion battery which engages the coupling member102in which the friction and suction between the rubber material of the coupling member102and the handle14is sufficient to hold the extension arm attachment100to the portable massager apparatus10securely together.

In some embodiments, a flexible retention band, such as a flexible band made from VELCRO, may be engaged around the portable massager apparatus10for further securing the portable massager apparatus10with the extension arm attachment100. In some embodiments, a gripping handle may be a padded hand grip116engaged along the extension arm101along the proximal end portion105for providing a gripping surface for the user when handling the extension arm attachment100.

In one aspect, engagement of the extension arm attachment100to the portable massager device10decreases the degree of vibration felt by the user handling the extension arm101due to the coupling member102and the addition of the padded hand grip116.