A BODY TREATMENT APPARATUS

Abstract: The invention relates to a body treatment apparatus for performing a massaging operation on the body of a person. The apparatus includes an air compressor which is operable to supply air under pressure to a body treatment device via a liquid feed arrangement that is operable to feed a liquid, such as an aromatherapy oil, at a controlled rate into the air flow line. The body treatment device can be manually manipulated to direct air under pressure via the device onto the body region of a person to be massaged, the treatment device defining an internal passage arrangement and a plurality of outlet jet formations that are configured to providde for the air to perform a hammer-type action on the body of a person, in the performance of the massaging operation.

Description: A BODY TREATMENT APPARATUS THIS I NVENTION relates to a body treatment apparatus. The invention relates particularly to a body treatment apparatus for performing a massaging operation on the body of a person and to a body treatment device which forms a part of the apparatus and which renders effective the massaging operation. According to a first aspect of this invention there is provided a body treatment device, which comprises a jet body defined by a main leg and a cross member at one end of the main leg, and in which: the main leg defines a first passage extending from the free end of the leg to a second passage that is defined within the cross member substantially perpendicularly to the first passage and that is blocked at opposite ends thereof; the cross member defines a convexly curved outer face facing away from the main leg and at least two outlet jet formations extending from the said second passage defined in the cross member to the convexly curved outer face defined by the cross member; and the free end of the main leg is connectable to a fluid feed line for connecting a pressurised fluid in line with the said first passage, to permit fluid flow through the first passage into the second passage and from the second passage via the outlet jet formations onto a body region of a person by the manipulation of the jet body while using the main leg thereof as a handle formation The outlet jet formations defined by the cross member of the jet body may be positioned along a straight line extending along the length of the cross member in the convexly curved outer face region thereof One embodiment of the body treatment device provides for the said straight line along which the outlet jet formations are positioned to be located in the outer face segment of the convexly curved outer face of the cross member that is remote from the mam leg of the jet body An alternative embodiment of the body treatment device provides for the said straight line along which the outlet jet formations are positioned to be defined in a location that is angularly offset with respect to the outer face segment of the convexly curved outer face of the cross member that is remote from the mam leg of the jet body A preferred embodiment of the body treatment device of the invention provides for the cross member of the jet body to have a length dimension of between 50 and 60 mm and the convexly curved outer face of the cross member to define a radius between 5 and 10 mm, while the outlet jet formations define diameters between 0,4mm and 4mm, being located in an evenly spaced configuration along the said straight line along which the outlet jet formations are positioned The outlet jet formations particularly are circular holes The mam leg of the jet body of the body treatment device may be profiled to define a handle formation, thus facilitating manual manipulation of the body for the purpose herein envisaged The jet body may be formed of any suitable material and , preferably, is formed of stainless steel. The main leg of the jet body may have a connector formation defined at the free end thereof that can cooperate with a complementary connector formation of a fluid feed line for connecting a pressurised fluid in line with the first passage defined through the said main leg of the jet body. The connector formation defined by the main leg may comprise a threaded socket formation that extends into the main leg from the free end thereof, in line with the first passage. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a body treatment apparatus, which includes a body treatment device that comprises a jet body defining formations including at least two outlet jet formations for the passage of a pressurised fluid through the body from an inlet end to the outlet jet formations, the body being externally configured to permit a pressurised fluid passing through the body and from the body via the outlet jet formations to be directed onto a body region of a person by the manipulation of the body; a liquid feed arrangement for feeding a liquid at a controlled rate into a fluid flow line; and an elongate pipe defining a fluid flow line and having a first end connectable to a compressed air supply and a second end connected to the jet body of the body treatment device in communication with the inlet end of the formations defined by the body for the passage of a pressurised fluid therethrough, the pipe being connected in communication with the liquid feed arrangement at a location between its first end and its second end in a configuration in which a liquid can be fed by the liquid feed arrangement into the flow line defined by the pipe. The body treatment device of the body treatment apparatus, in accordance with the second aspect of this invention, particularly includes all the features of the body treatment device, in accordance with the first aspect of this invention. The liquid feed arrangement of the body treatment apparatus may be a venturi arrangement with a venturi formation connected in line with the elongate pipe and a liquid feed pipe connected to the venturi formation in a configuration in which fluid flow through the venturi formation will induce liquid to be drawn into the flow through the venturi formation via the liquid feed pipe, when connected to a liquid supply container. As such, the body treatment apparatus may include a liquid supply container connected to the liquid feed pipe of the liquid feed arrangement. It is envisaged also that the liquid feed pipe may be releasably connectable to different liquid feed containers, in which different liquids to be fed into the pipe can be contained. The elongate pipe of the body treatment apparatus may be made up of any one of rigid pipe sections, flexible pipe sections and a combination of rigid pipe sections and flexible pipe sections. Also, the elongate pipe is a high pressure pipe which can accommodate the passage of compressed air therethrough at a pressure of at least 5 bar. The body treatment apparatus still further may include an air compressor that is connected to the first end of the elongate pipe and that can feed compressed air to the elongate pipe by the operation thereof. Still further, the body treatment apparatus may include at least one filter connected in line with the elongate pipe for filtering air passing through the pipe. The treatment method for performing a massaging action on the body of a person and that is employed in conjunction with the body treatment apparatus of the invention and, particularly, the body treatment device of the invention, provides for the manipulation of the jet body of the body treatment device over a body region being treated in defined strokes while directing compressed air streams through the outlet jet formations onto the body region. The manipulation of the body treatment device during these defined strokes provide for a massaging action to be effected on the said body region by the compressed air impinging on the body region. The manner of the defined strokes will be determined by treatment requirements, particularly in order to provide a desired massaging effect. The particular configuration of the body treatment device, and particularly the configuration of the passages and outlet jetformations defined thereby, during the manipulation of the body treatment device, and in conjunction with the uneven surfaces defined generally by body regions being treated, result in the compressed air flow to impart a hammer-type action on the body region, which will "penetrate" the body region to a required depth where the massaging effect is required . This hammer-type action which can also be described as a vibratory action, provides for the breakdown of fat cells, the improvement of blood circulation, the treatment of physical injuries, and the like. It is envisaged in the above regard that the liquid feed arrangement will provide for various different types of liquids, associated with massaging operations to be carried out, to be fed into the compressed air passing through the pipe of the apparatus, in use of the apparatus, the liquids typically comprising aromatherapy oils, liquidised creams, and other liquids that can fulfil a medicinal/therapeutic function in conjunction with a massaging operation being performed with the body treatment apparatus. The apparatus of the invention specifically can be used for treating body parts suffering from injury, stiffness and the like, the liquid to be used in association with the apparatus being particularly suitable for accommodating the above applications of the apparatus. By performing a massaging action on the body of a person in the manner envisaged, blood flow through the body regions treated can be improved, while fat cells can be broken down . The number of outlet jet formations defined by the body treatment device of the body treatment apparatus and the configuration, placement and size of these outlet jet formations clearly may be greatly variable. The specific arrangements and the number of jet formations particularly will be determined by treatment requirements, with the size of the jet formations enabling the fluid intensity of fluid impinging on the body of a person during treatment to be controlled. In this regard, the pressure associated with the compressed air being directed onto the body of a person may vary between 0,5 bar and 3 bar. Clearly, the overall configuration of the body treatment apparatus of the invention is greatly variable while still incorporating the principles of the apparatus and of the device as herein above defined and described and the invention extends also to all such alternative configurations apparatus and devices which still incorporate these principles. Further features of a body treatment device, in accordance with the first aspect of this invention, and of a body treatment apparatus, in accordance with the second aspect of this invention, are described hereafter, by way of examples, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 illustrates schematically the layout of a body treatment apparatus, in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows a plan view of a first embodiment of a jet body for use with the apparatus of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows a side view of the jet body of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of a jet body for use with the apparatus of Figure 1 ; Figure 5 shows a plan view of a third embodiment of a jet body for use with the apparatus of Figure 1 ; and Figure 6 shows a side view of the jet body of Figure 5. Referring initially to Figure 1 of the drawings, a body treatment apparatus, in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The body treatment apparatus 10 includes an air compressor 1 2 of a conventional type that is electrically operable for generating a compressed air supply through the operation of an air displacement pump associated therewith. A pipe 1 3 connects the compressor 1 2 to a liquid feed arrangement 14 via a particle filter 1 6 and a water filter 1 8, the filters 1 6 and 1 8 providing for compressed air displaced from the compressor 1 2 to be effectively purified, thereby ensuring that the compressed air cannot cause any injury or damage to a person on which a massaging action is performed with the aid of the apparatus 10, as described hereafter. The liquid feed arrangement 14 includes a venturi arrangement including a venturi formation 20 which communicates with a liquid supply conduit 22 connected to a liquid supply container 24 via a control valve 26. The configuration of the liquid feed arrangement is such that air flow through the venturi formation will induce liquid from the container 24 to be drawn into the flow line, when the valve is in an open position. The valve clearly can serve also to control the rate of liquid feed into the flow line. The pipe 1 3 extending from the compressor 1 2 and which is connected to the liquid feed arrangement 14, extends from the liquid feed arrangement 14 to a body treatment device 28 (not shown in detail in Figure 1 ) of which different embodiments are described hereafter. At least the pipe segment 1 3.1 leading from the liquid feed arrangement 14 is flexible, permitting manipulation of the body treatment device to which it is connected in a manner as described hereafter, for performing a body massaging action on the body of a person. The pipe 1 3, including the pipe segment 1 3.1 , has high pressure qualities, accommodating an air pressure therein up to at least 5 bar. In this regard it is envisaged that the operating air pressure at which a massaging action can be performed, with the aid of the apparatus, will vary between 0,5 bar and 3 bar, a particular operating pressure being determined by the requirements of the massaging action to be performed. This is referred to in more detail hereafter. Referring also to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, these figures illustrate a first embodiment of a body treatment device to be associated with the apparatus 10, the body treatment device being designated by the numeral 30. The body treatment device 30 comprises a jet body 32, which is substantially T-shaped as shown and which is defined by a main leg 34 and a cross member 36 at one end of the main leg 34. The main leg 34 defines a first passage 36 therethrough that leads from the free end 38 thereof to a second passage 40 that is defined within the cross member 36 and that is disposed substantially perpendicularly to the first passage 36. The opposite ends of the passage 40 are blocked-off, the passage 40 in practise being formed by drilling a blind bore into the cross member 36 and then locating a grub screw 42 in the open end thereof, particularly by providing suitable threads 44 within the end region of the blind bore (as shown) . The cross member 36 defines a convexly curved outer face 46 facing away from the main leg 34, as well as five outlet jet formations 48 in the form of circular holes leading from the passage 40 to the said outer face 46. The jet formations 48 are positioned along a straight line that is disposed in the outer face segment of the convexly curved outer face 46 of the cross member 36 that is remote from the main leg 34 of the jet body 32. The free end 38 of the main leg 32 defines a threaded socket formation 50 which can serve as a connector formation for the pipe segment 1 3.1 of the apparatus 10, permitting connection of the pipe segment 1 3. 1 to the body treatment device 30, particularly via a suitable complementary connector formation provided at the end of the pipe segment 1 3.1 . The socket formation 50 is aligned with the first passage 36, so that air supplied by the air compressor 1 2 can pass from the pipe segment 1 3.1 through the first passage 36 into the second passage 40 and from the second passage 40 out of the jet body 32 via the outlet jet formations 48. By the suitable manipulation of the body treatment device 30 via the main leg which can be suitably profiled to serve as a handle formation, air exiting from the jet body 32 via the outlet jet formations 48 can be directed onto a body region of a person for performing a massaging action, which is explained in more detail hereafter. The cross member 36 of the jet body 32 typically has a length dimension between 50 and 60 mm and the convexly curved outer face 46 of the cross member typically defines a radius between 5 and 10 mm. The passages 36 and 40 typically define a diameter of 5mm, whereas the diameter of the outlet jet formations of a device as described can vary between 0,4 and 4 mm. In order to perform a massaging action on a body region of a person with the aid of the apparatus 10, an aromatherapy oil, or the like, is charged into the liquid supply container 24, the choice of aromatherapy oil, or other liquid medium to be utilised in conjunction with a particular massaging operation, being determined by the nature of the massaging operation to be performed, as well as the particular body region to be treated. In this regard, the choice of liquid medium is greatly variable. The compressor 1 2 is then activated and compressed air is displaced along the pipe 1 3 through the filters 1 6 and 1 8 and the venturi formation 20 towards the body treatment device 28. By opening the valve 26, a controlled volume of the aromatherapy oil contained in the container 24 can be drawn into the air passing through the venturi formation 20, thus providing for compressed air having the aromatherapy oil drawn therein to be emitted from the body treatment device 28 via the outlet jet formations thereof. For a body treatment device in the form of the device 30, by the suitable manual manipulation of the device, by using the main leg 34 thereof as a handle formation, and by directing the outlet jet formations 48 directly onto a body region of a person to be treated, the device 30 can be displaced in defined strokes across the body region being treated while holding the cross member 46 in close proximity to the body region, thus providing for air exiting from the outlet jet formations 48 to impinge directly on a body region As a result of the configuration of the passages 36 and 40, and of the jet formations 48, and also in conjunction with the natural uneven surface of the body region being treated, the airflow will impart a hammer-type action, on the body region being treated, providing for effective "penetration" of the body region to a required depth where the massaging effect is required This hammer-type action, which also can be described as a vibratory action, particularly provides for improved blood circulation that can hence be associated with various physical and therapeutic benefits, including the breakdown of fat cells, the treatment of physical injuries, and the like It must be appreciated in this regard that different massaging operations can be associated with different types of body treatment device manipulation, specific additional variables being associated with the air pressure being utilised, the specific liquid medium being utilised, as well as the specific configuration of the body treatment device being utilised In the above regard, Figure 4 illustrates a second embodiment of a body treatment device that is suitable for use with the apparatus 10 and that is designated generally designated by the reference numeral 60 The body treatment device 60 again includes a jet body 62, which is essentially the equivalent of the body 32 bf the device 30, the only variation being that the body treatment device 60 only has three outlet jet formations 64, as opposed to the five outlet jet formations 48 of the device 30 Still a further embodiment of a body treatment device for use with the apparatus 10 is shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings and is designated generally by the reference numeral 70 The body treatment device 70 again includes an equivalent jet body 72 to that of the body treatment devices 30 and 60, but the particular device 70 has a multitude of tiny outlet jet formations 74 defined in the outer face of 76 of the cross member 78 The line along which the outlet jet formations 74 are defined is positioned at a location angularly offset from the outer face segment of the outer face 76 that is disposed remote from the main leg of the jet body 72. It will thus be appreciated that the main differences between body treatment devices relate to the configuration and location of the outlet jet formations, which can provide particularly for different air intensities and body region penetration, the choice of device to be used for a particular massaging operation being determined by the body region to be treated and the 'ailment' being treated. The purpose of treatment could be to improve blood circulation, to treat body injuries at different levels within a body region, to break down fat cells, and for various other purposes that can have therapeutic and/or physical benefits. In this regard it has been found that the treatment of different body regions of a person by a massaging action performed with air, in a combination with an aromatherapy oil, as herein envisaged, can be greatly beneficial and, in particular, can be extremely effective when compared with known massaging operations performed in conventional ways. It will be understood that the overall configuration of the apparatus of the invention is greatly variable and the invention extends also to all alternative configurations apparatus which still incorporate the essential integers of the apparatus as above described . Also, the configuration of the body treatment device to be used in conjunction with the apparatus is greatly variable and in this regard the invention extends also to all such alternative configurations devices which incorporate the principles of the devices as herein above described.

Claims: CLAIMS 1 . A body treatment device, which comprises a jet body defined by a main leg and a cross member at one end of the main leg, and in which the main leg defines a first passage extending from the free end of the leg to a second passage that is defined within the cross member substantially perpendicularly to the first passage and that is blocked at opposite ends thereof; the cross member defines a convexly curved outer face facing away from the main leg and at least two outlet jet formations extending from the said second passage defined in the cross member to the said convexly curved outer face defined by the cross member; and the free end of the main leg is connectable to a fluid feed line for connecting a pressurised fluid in line with the said first passage, to permit fluid flow through the first passage into the second passage and from the second passage via the outlet jet formations onto a body region of a person by the manipulation of the jet body while using the main leg thereof as a handle formation. 2. A body treatment device as claimed in Claim 1 , in which the outlet jet formations are positioned along a straight line extending along the length of the cross member in the convexly curved outer face region thereof. 3. A body treatment device as claimed in Claim 2, in which the said straight line along which the outlet jet formations are positioned is located in the outer face segment of the convexly curved outer face of the cross member that is remote from the main leg of the jet body. 4. A body treatment device as claimed in Claim 2, in which the said straight line along which the outlet jet formations are positioned is defined in a location that is angularly offset with respect to the outer face segment of the convexly curved outer face of the cross member that is remote from the main leg of the jet body. 5. A body treatment device as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, in which the cross member of the jet body has a length dimension between 50 and 60 mm and the convexly curved outer face of the cross member defines a radius between 5 and 10 mm, and in which the outlet jet formations define diameters between 0,4mm and 4mm, being located in an evenly spaced configuration along the said straight line along which the outlet jet formations are positioned . 6. A body treatment device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the outlet jet formations are circular holes. 7. A body treatment device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the main leg of the jet body is profiled to define a handle formation. 8. A body treatment device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the jet body is of stainless steel . 9. A body treatment device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the main leg of the jet body has a connector formation defined at the free end thereof that can cooperate with a complementary connector formation of a fluid feed line for connecting a pressurised fluid in line with the first passage defined through the said main leg of the jet body. 10. A body treatment device as claimed in Claim 9, in which the connector formation defined by the main leg comprises a threaded socket formation that extends into the main leg from the free end thereof, in line with the first passage. 1 . A body treatment apparatus, which includes a body treatment device that comprises a jet body defining formations for the passage of a pressurised fluid through the body from an inlet end to at least two outlet jet formations, the body being configured to permit a pressurised fluid passing through the body and from the body via the outlet jet formations to be directed onto a body region of a person by the manipulation of the body; a liquid feed arrangement for feeding a liquid at a controlled rate into a fluid flow line; and an elongate pipe defining a fluid flow line and having a first end connectable to a compressed air supply and a second end connected to the jet body of the body treatment device in communication with the inlet end of the formations defined by the body for the passage of a pressurised fluid therethrough, the pipe being connected in communication with the liquid feed arrangement at a location between its first end and its second end in a configuration in which a liquid can be fed by the liquid feed arrangement into the flow line defined by the pipe. 2. A body treatment apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 1 , in which the jet body is defined by a main leg and a cross member at one end of the main leg and in which the main leg defines a first passage extending from the free end of the leg to a second passage that is defined axially within the cross member and that is blocked at opposite ends thereof; the cross member defines a convexly curved outer face facing away from the main leg and at least two outlet jet formations extending from the said second passage defined in the cross member to the said convexly curved outer face defined by the cross member; and the free end of the main leg is connected to the second end of the elongate pipe, providing for fluid communication between the said second end of the elongate pipe and the first passage defined by the main leg. 1 3. A body treatment apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 2, in which the outlet jet formations are positioned along a straight line extending along the length of the cross member in the convexly curved outer face region thereof. 14. A body treatment apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 3, in which the said straight line along which the outlet jet formations are positioned is located in the outer face segment of the convexly curved outer face of the cross member that is remote from the main leg of the jet body. 1 5. A body treatment apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 3, in which the said straight line along which the outlet jet formations are positioned is defined in a location that is angularly offset with respect to the outer face segment of the convexly curved outer face of the cross member that is remote from the main leg of the jet body. 1 6. A body treatment apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 3 to 1 5, in which the cross member of the jet body has a length dimension between 50 and 60 mm and the convexly curved outer face of the cross member defined a radius between 5 and 1 0 mm, and in which the outlet jet formations define diameters between 0,4mm and 4mm, being located in an evenly spaced configuration along the said straight line along which the outlet jet formations are positioned . 1 7. A body treatment apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 2 to 1 6, in which the outlet jet formations are circular holes. 1 8. A body treatment apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 2 to 1 7, in which the main leg of the jet body is profiled to define a handle formation. 1 9. A body treatment apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 2 to 1 8, in which the jet body is of stainless steel. 20. A body treatment apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 2 to 1 9, in which the main leg of the jet body has a connector formation defined at the free end thereof that cooperates with a complementary connector formation at the second end of the pipe, for connecting the pipe to the main leg of the jet body. 21 . A body treatment apparatus as claimed in Claim 20, in which the connector formation defined by the main leg comprises a threaded socket formation that extends into the main leg from the free end thereof, in line with the first passage. 22. A body treatment apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 1 to 21 , in which the liquid feed arrangement is a venturi arrangement with a venturi formation connected in line with the elongate pipe and a liquid feed pipe connected to the venturi formation in a configuration in which fluid flow through the venturi formation will induce liquid to be drawn into the flow through the venturi formation via the liquid feed pipe, when connected to a liquid supply container. 23. A body treatment apparatus as claimed in Claim 22, which includes a liquid supply container connected to the liquid feed pipe of the liquid feed arrangement. 24. A body treatment apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 1 to 23, in which the elongate pipe is made up of any one of rigid pipe sections, flexible pipe sections and a combination of rigid pipe sections and flexible pipe sections. 25. A body treatment apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 1 to 24, in which the elongate pipe is a high pressure pipe which can accommodate the passage of compressed air therethrough at a pressure of at least 5 bar. 26. A body treatment apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 1 to 25, which includes an air compressor that is connected to the first end of the elongate pipe and that can feed compressed air to the elongate pipe by the operation thereof. 27. A body treatment apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 1 to 26, which includes at least one filter connected in line with the elongate pipe for filtering air passing through the pipe. 28. A body treatment device substantially as described in the specification with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 29. A body treatment apparatus substantially as described in the specification with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: O'CONNOR GARTH, O'CONNOR, GARTH
Applicants: CONNOR GARTH O, O'CONNOR, GARTH
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A61H9
IPC codes: A61H9, B05B1, B05B7