Abstract:
A massage tool to enable people to speed up the massaging action in various parts of the human body and is convertible to one handle roller.

Description:
PRIORITY  
       [0001]     The present invention claims priority based on 35 USC section 119 and provisional patent application filed on Dec. 28, 2004, Ser. No. 60/593,259. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a massage roller.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The ability of one person to give a massage to another person has been limited by the absence of a device to provide a roller motion while giving a massage.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]     The present invention provides the ability of the first person to give a second person a massage.  
         [0005]     The present invention allows the first person to use a device to give a roller motion to a second person.  
         [0006]     The present invention allows the first person to use a versatile massage roller on a second person.  
         [0007]     A versatile massage roller is constructed from articles without glue, screws or the like.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the axle of the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the flexible sleeve of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the first washer of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sleeve and axle of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the second washer of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sleeve, axle and first and second washers of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the handle sleeves placed on the axle;  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a first end cap;  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a second end cap;  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the first end cap and the second end cap snapped in place;  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the versatile massage roller assembled;  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of the axle of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective view of the first and second end caps;  
         [0022]      FIG. 14  illustrates a perspective view of the soft and flexible sleeve;  
         [0023]      FIG. 15  illustrates a side view of the soft and flexible sleeve;  
         [0024]      FIG. 16  illustrates a perspective view of another end of the soft and flexible sleeve;  
         [0025]      FIG. 17  illustrates a cross-sectional view of metallic washers;  
         [0026]      FIG. 18  illustrates a perspective view of PVC sleeves;  
         [0027]      FIG. 19  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the versatile massage roller;  
         [0028]      FIG. 20  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a roller with two handles;  
         [0029]      FIG. 21  illustrates a perspective view of the roller constructed with one handle;  
         [0030]      FIG. 22  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the roller with no handles;  
         [0031]      FIG. 23  illustrates another embodiment of the versatile massage roller of the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 24  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 25  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIGS. 26-29  illustrates an end view of the sleeve of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0035]     The present invention includes a cylindrical axle which may be a PVC plastic pipe and may be approximately ½×17½ inches. The cylindrical axle may be metallic which may be heavier and more expensive. Additionally, the present invention includes a cylindrical sleeve being hollow and may be formed from expanded polystyrene with a hollow center which may be 2½×8 inches. The present invention may include two washers which may be metallic and which may be approximately ½×¾ inches to provide a resting point for the two handles. The handles may be formed from two cylindrical sleeves which may be PVC plastic pipe and may be ¾×4 inches to provide the roller motion when forced against the cylindrical axles. Additionally, the present invention includes two pipe caps which may be formed from PVC plastic and which may be ½ inches to keep the handles in place and provide a resting point for the handles.  
         [0036]     The axle holds the various components of the versatile massage roller. The cylindrical sleeves are positioned at the center of the axle. The two washers are inserted over the axle; one washer on each side against the soft sleeve. Each of the two handles is inserted at each end over the axle, and the caps are inserted at each end to complete the massage roller by holding the handles on the axle.  
         [0037]     As a force is applied to each of the two handles by a first user, the axle rotates, and the rolling motion of the whole body of the massage roller including the soft sleeve to a muscle or muscles of a second user generates a stimulating sensation by increasing circulation and muscle relaxation. Additionally, the massage roller provides the related benefits of a massage.  
         [0038]     While the above description has been in terms of a two handle roller, the teachings of the present invention may be applied equally to a one handle roller to reach various angles of the neck. The circumferences and lengths may be varied to accommodate different sizes of the massage roller, for example small, medium and large sizes.  
         [0039]     A first user may use the massage roller to massage a second user, or the first user may use the massage roller on his/her self by placing the massage roller on a hard surface, for example the floor or the wall, and using motion over the massage roller to obtain the massage effect. Additionally, the first user may lie over the massage roller and remain still until the first user feels that he/she has obtained the relief desired.  
         [0040]     The massage roller of the present invention may be used to massage the back, legs, arms, especially the palms of the hands and the inner parts of the feet, resulting in a very soothing effect. The benefits of the massage roller of the present invention include relaxation and improve circulation.  
         [0041]      FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-section of the axle  102  to be used with the massage roller.  
         [0042]      FIG. 2  illustrates the soft and flexible sleeve  202  to be used with the massage roller. The sleeve  202  may be formed from expanded polystyrene.  
         [0043]      FIG. 3  illustrates a first washer  302  to be used with the massage roller.  
         [0044]      FIG. 4  illustrates the axle  102  in the flexible sleeve  202  assembled.  
         [0045]      FIG. 5  illustrates a second washer  502  to be used with the massage roller.  
         [0046]      FIG. 6  illustrates the flexible sleeve  202  mounted on the axle  102  and with the first washer  302  and the second washer  502  positioned adjacent to the flexible sleeve  202  which is positioned in the approximate center of the axle  102 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 7  illustrates the first handle  702  and the second handle  704  being inserted on the axle  102 .  
         [0048]      FIG. 8  illustrates a first end cap  802 , and  FIG. 9  illustrates a second end cap  902 .  
         [0049]      FIG. 10  illustrates the first end cap  802  being inserted on one end of the axle  102 , and the second end cap  902  being inserted on the other end of the axle  102 .  
         [0050]      FIG. 11  illustrates the versatile massage roller  1100  assembled in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The first end cap  802  is positioned adjacent to the first handle  702  while the second end cap  902  is positioned adjacent to the second handle  704 . It should be noted that no glue or screws is required to assemble the present invention. A friction fit or pressure and snap on action holds the present invention together. However, glue or screws could be used to assemble the present invention.  
         [0051]      FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of the PVC axle  102  which may be ½ by 17½ inches.  
         [0052]      FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective view of the first end cap  802  and the second end cap  902  which may be made from ½ inch PVC.  
         [0053]      FIG. 14  illustrates a perspective view of one end of the soft and flexible sleeve  202  which may be formed from expanded polystyrene.  
         [0054]      FIG. 15  illustrates a side view of the flexible sleeve  202 , and  FIG. 16  illustrates a perspective view of the other end of the flexible sleeve  202 .  
         [0055]      FIG. 17  illustrates a side view of the first washer  302  and the second washer  502  which may be formed from metal.  
         [0056]      FIG. 18  illustrates a perspective view of the first handle  702  and the second handle  704  which may be formed from ¾×4 inch PVC sleeves.  
         [0057]      FIG. 19  illustrates a side view of the finished product of the versatile massage roller.  
         [0058]      FIG. 20  illustrates a roller  2000  with two handles.  
         [0059]      FIG. 21  illustrates a roller  2100  with one handle.  
         [0060]      FIG. 22  illustrates a roller  2200  with no handles but with end caps.  
         [0061]      FIG. 23  illustrates a roller  2300  with handles and end caps.  
         [0062]      FIG. 24  illustrates a roller  2400  with a single handle on one end and a single end cap on the other end. Since the handles and end caps are not permanently attached to the axle, the handles and end caps can be removed and reconfigured to any of the rollers shown in the drawings.  
         [0063]      FIG. 25  illustrates a roller  2500  with no handles but with end caps.  
         [0064]      FIG. 26  illustrates an end view of the sleeve  202  having a hole  2602  for the axle  102 . The diameter of the hole  2602  is shown as element a which may be ⅞ inch. The diameter of the sleeve  202  is shown as element b which may be 2⅛ inch.  
         [0065]      FIG. 27  illustrates an end view of another embodiment of the sleeve  202 .  FIG. 27  shows the diameter of the sleeve  202  as element c which may be 2¾ inches.  
         [0066]      FIG. 28  illustrates an end view of another embodiment of the sleeve  202  which shows the diameter of the sleeve as element d which may be 3⅜ inches.  
         [0067]      FIG. 29  illustrates an end view of another embodiment of the sleeve  202  shows the diameter of the sleeve as element e which may be 5 inches.  
         [0068]     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.