Abstract:
Disclosed is an apparatus for massaging the body of a user comprising an arcuate member extending between first and second opposed ends and a central portion therebetween. The first and second ends are oriented away from the central portion and the arcuate member defines an arc having an angle of less than 180 degrees. The apparatus further comprises gripping portions disposed at the first and second opposed ends and a therapy applicator connectable to the central portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to massagers in general and in particular to a method and apparatus for massage a user. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Individuals who spend long hours working with computers or driving can be prone to muscle tension and discomfort building up in and around their shoulder blades. This is due to the long periods of abnormal arm position. It is also very common for construction personnel and people who perform repetitive arm work to find a build up of muscle strain and tension in these areas. Common methods of relieving this type of stress may include muscle relaxants, massage or chiropractic adjustments. However, many of these methods may not be convenient for a user or may be expensive for treatments to be administered by a massage or chiropractic professional. 
         [0005]    Previously, self-massage has also not been practical. Current equipment for self-massage has not been adequate to provide the necessary pressure and/or leverage to help relieve this type of tension. In particular, previous apparatuses have not provided the combination of leverage, heat, light-therapy and vibration capabilities available to them for self massage units. Previous apparatuses have also not been able to compensate for different arm lengths. 
         [0006]    In particular, applicant is aware of U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,693 to Lambden discloses a method and apparatus for applying pressure to the body of a person. In use, the device disclosed in Lambden positions the arms away from the body of the user and close together which will causes the arm muscles to tire quickly and may actually increase the tension between the shoulders. The closed position of the handles of the Lambden device may also limit the positions in which the device may apply pressure to the body of the user. 
         [0007]    Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,708 to Sprat discloses a massager for the back portion of the human body. The device disclosed in Sprat has no mechanism to deliver heat or vibration to the user. Additionally, the hinge in the center of the device of Sprat may decrease the possible pressure that the user may apply to their muscles and may cause areas of the body to be pinched therebetween. 
         [0008]    As disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 7,335,171 to Ewell et al. discloses a cane adapted to provide pain relief. The apparatus of Ewel et al. does not provide vibration and may be difficult to move around on the back of a user for a massage due to limited locations on which to grasp the apparatus. Furthermore, gripping both ends of the apparatus of Ewell et al. on the same side of the body may cause further strain on the user thereby adding to the back tension and discomfort of the user. 
         [0009]    The device disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,315 to Iwahashi has no mechanism to deliver heat or vibration and Its ability to deliver pressure is hampered by the bendable center and straight design. Similarly, the device disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 2,168,975 to Clarke also has no mechanism to deliver heat or vibration. The central hinge mechanism of the Clarke device also minimizes the ability to move the unit in both vertical and horizontal plains. U.S. Pat. No. 718,594 to Baily also has no mechanism to deliver heat or vibration. The Baily device is also not designed to deliver a single pressure point and can only be rolled in a single plain for each arm position. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    According to a first embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed an apparatus for massaging the body of a user. The apparatus comprises an arcuate member extending between first and second opposed ends and a central portion therebetween. The first and second ends are oriented away from the central portion and the arcuate member defines an arc having an angle of less than 180 degrees. The apparatus further comprises gripping portions disposed at the first and second opposed ends and a therapy applicator connectable to the central portion. 
         [0011]    The arcuate member may comprise an arcuate member having a circular cross-section. The arcuate member may be bow shaped. The gripping may comprise handles selectably connectable to the first and second ends. The handles may extend axially from the first and second ends. The handles may be rotatably connectable to the first and second ends. The handles may be ring shaped. The first and second ends may have bores therein wherein the handles have shafts extending therefrom receivable within the bores. The handles may be proximate to the first and second ends when the shafts are secured within the bores. The shafts may extend the handles away from the first and second ends. 
         [0012]    The pressure applicator may comprise a cartridge selectably securable to the central portion. The cartridge may be operable to apply at least one of heat, vibration and light to the body of a user. The cartridge may include an electric heater. The cartridge may include an electrically driven vibrator. The cartridge may include at least one light emitting diode. 
         [0013]    The arcuate member may include a latching mechanism at the central portion operable to cooperate with a corresponding latch on the cartridge. The arcuate member may include a power supply wherein the latching mechanism includes electrical contacts for transmitting electrical current between the power supply and the cartridge. The latching mechanism may comprise a rotatable latch. The cartridge may include a plurality of rollers disposed for contact with the body of a user. 
         [0014]    Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention wherein similar characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view, 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an apparatus for massaging the body of a user according to a first embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a side view of an apparatus for massaging the body of a user having detachable handles and a permanent massage point according to a further embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the latching mechanism of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the conducting arms of the latching mechanism of  FIG. 3  taken along the line  4 - 4 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the latching mechanism of  FIG. 1  taken along the line  5 - 5  with the latch unlocked. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the latching mechanism of  FIG. 1  taken along the line  5 - 5  with the latch locked. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is an end view of a massage cartridge according to a first embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a massage cartridge according to a further embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a massage cartridge according to a further embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a massage cartridge according to a further embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11   a  is a side view of a massage cartridge according to a further embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11   b  is an end view of a massage cartridge of  FIG. 11   a.    
           [0028]      FIG. 12   a  is a rear view of a user applying the apparatus of  FIG. 1  to their a first part of their back. 
           [0029]      FIG. 12   b  is a rear view of a user applying the apparatus to their neck. 
           [0030]      FIG. 12   c  is a rear view of a user applying the apparatus of  FIG. 1  to their a further part of their back. 
           [0031]      FIG. 12   d  is a rear view of a user applying the apparatus of  FIG. 1  to their a further part of their back. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an apparatus for massaging a body part of a user according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown generally at  10 . The apparatus  10  comprises an elongate arcuate member  12  having first and second opposed ends,  14  and  16 , respectively, and a central portion  18  therebetween. The apparatus further includes a therapy applicator  30  as and handles  50  disposed at the first and second ends  14  and  16  will be further described below. The apparatus  10  may be a one-piece solid unit or may optionally be constructed of several pieces. As a single piece construction, the handles  50  and therapy applicator  30  may be formed integrally with the arcuate member  12 . The therapy applicator  30  may be an integral massage point  13  as illustrated in  FIG. 2  or it may comprise a selectably interchangeable cartridge  32  as illustrated in  FIG. 1  secured to the arcuate member with a latching mechanism as will be further described below. 
         [0033]    The arcuate member  12  may have a bow shape with a continuous curvature between the first and second ends  14  and  16  defining a plane. In other embodiments, the arcuate member  12  may have a variable profile in which the curvature is greater proximate to the central portion  18  or proximate to the first and second ends  14  and  16 . The arcuate member  12  may sized so as to have a have a chord length as illustrated generally at  17  of between 28 inches (71.1 cm) and 34 inches (86.4 cm) between the first and second ends  14  and  16  with an distance of 30 inches (76.2 cm) being found to be particularly useful. The arcuate member  12  may further have a distance from the chord to the central portion  18  as generally indicated at  19  of between 10 inches (25.4 cm) and 14 inches (35.6 cm) with distance of 12 inches (30.5 cm) being found to be particularly useful. The apparatus  10  may have a distance between the handles  50  of between 31 inches (78.8 cm) and 36 inches (91.5 cm). As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the apparatus may substantially define an arch having end points at the handles  50 . Such an arch will have a radius generally indicated at  23  which will be less than 180 degrees so as to ensure that a user may properly grasp the apparatus as described further below such that their hands are not too far from the body nor close together to permit the user to apply pressure to their body with the apparatus without causing undue fatigue to themselves. 
         [0034]    The arcuate member  12  may have a generally circular cross-section with a diameter of between ½ inch (1.3 cm) and 2 inches (5.2 cm). In some embodiments, the arcuate member  12  may have an ovaloid cross-section in which the thickness of the arcuate member is greater in a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the arcuate member. It will be appreciated that other cross-sectional shapes may also be useful as well. 
         [0035]    The arcuate member  12  may be formed of a variety of materials such as plastic, wood or metal or any other suitable material as are known in the art. The arcuate member  12  may be formed of materials selected to be non-conductive, rigid and sufficiently strong enough to withstand the forces applied thereto when in use. The arcuate member  12  may contain an electronic/battery storage compartments as will be further described below. 
         [0036]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , another embodiment is illustrated having removable handles  50 . The removable handles  50  comprise a grip  52  secured to the end of an extension shaft  54 . The first and second ends  14  and  16  of the arcuate member  12  include blind bores  56  sized to receive the extension shafts  54  therein. The extension shaft  54  is designed to be expandably received within the blind bores  56  in order to permit the apparatus  10  to be adapted to fit a variety of arm lengths of the user and for use in different positions. The extension shaft  54  may be selectably secured within the blind bores  56  by the use of spring-loaded pins and hole latches, latch pins, clamping latches or any other suitable securing means as are known in the art. The distance between the grips  52  will be dependent on the dimensions of the arcuate member  12  and the length of the extension shafts. In some embodiments range of the distance between the grips  52  may be 31 inches (78.8 cm) to 36 inches (91.5 cm). 
         [0037]    The extension shaft  54  may have a length of between 3 inches (7.7 cm) and 16 inches (40.7 cm) with a length of 10 inches (5.4 cm) being particularly useful. The extension shaft  54  may also have a bend corresponding to the bend the blind bore  56  in the arcuate member  12 , allowing it to maintain the overall shape of the arcuate member in all lengths of extension. The extension shaft  54  may have a variety of cross-sectional profiles including round, oblong, rectangular, square or any other appropriate shape as will be appreciated in the art. 
         [0038]    The grips  52  are rotatably secured to distal ends  58  of the extension shafts  54  such as through the use of bearings or other suitable means by way of non-limiting example. The extension shaft  54  may have a diameter less than the diameter of the grips  52  so as to permit the extension shaft to be rotatably received within the grips  52 . The grips  52  may be made in a variety of materials as are commonly known in the art an in a variety of shapes such as by way of non-limiting example, ring shaped, torus shaped or stirrup shaped. The grips  52  have a gripping portion  60  and should be sized to be easily gripped by a user. By way of non-limiting example, the gripping portion  60  may have a circular cross section with diameter of 2 inches (5.1 cm) to 4 inches (10.2 cm). The round gripping portion allows for maximum grip translating to a greater amount of force or leverage to the massage point and also decreases the chance of slippage. The round gripping portion also advantageously allows the unit to more easily rotate as a person moves it from one area of the body to another, making for a more comfortable use of the apparatus. 
         [0039]    The apparatus  10  may include an internal electronics and/or battery storage compartments  26  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The storage compartment may range in size due to the cross-sectional dimensions of the arcuate member  12 , the battery type or electronics package required by the cartridges  32  and the type of material the arcuate member is constructed from. The energy supplied by a battery within the storage compartment  26  may be provided to the cartridge through the latch as will be further described below. 
         [0040]    The apparatus  10  may have interchangeable cartages  32  and a latching mechanism  70 , which is used to secure the cartridges and to provide power from the storage compartment to the interchangeable cartridges  32 . The latch mechanism  70  is designed as a rotating-shaft power/locking switch. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the latch mechanism comprises a central shaft  72  having proximate and distal ends,  74  and  76 , respectively, oriented perpendicular to the arcuate member  12 . The central shaft  72  should be constructed of a non-conductive material. The central shaft  72  has two levers arms  78  extending radially from the proximate end  74  thereof and an engaging lock  80  at the distal end  76  thereof for engaging with and securing the interchangeable cartridge to the arcuate member. The lever arms  78  are used by the fingers of an individual to twist the mechanism latching mechanism  70  into the latched or unlatched state. Intermediate the proximate and distal ends  74  and  76  of the central shaft, are a pair of opposed conducting arms  82 . The conducting arms  82  are adapted to electrically connect the batteries or other electrical power supply in the arcuate member  12  with the interchangeable cartridge  32  when secured to the arcuate member. The central shaft  72  may also be machined with an annular guide  84  in order to retain the central shaft within the arcuate member  12 . In other embodiments, the conducting arms  82  are also adapted to retain the interchangeable cartridge  32  on the arcuate member. 
         [0041]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the conducting arms  82  are comprised of a shaft tube  86  formed of a conductive material, such as, for example, mild or stainless steel, aluminum or copper and having distal and proximate ends,  88  and  90 , respectively. The proximate end  88  is secured to the central shaft  72  while the distal end includes an inner annular collar  92  defining an end bore  94 . A conductive body  96  is received within the shaft tube  86  and retained therein by the collar  92 . As illustrated, the conductive body  96  may be spherical. A spring  98  is biased within the shaft tube  86  so as to urge the conductive body  96  to the distal end  90  of the shaft tube  86 . The spring  98  may be a coiled, mini-strut spring or of any other suitable type know in the art. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the central shaft  72  also includes conducive strips  100  applied circumferentially around extending from the conducting arms  82 . The conductive strips may extend a distance sufficient to engage with electrical contacts in the arcuate member as will be further described below. In practice it has been found that extending the conductive strip approximately ¼ of the circumference of the central shaft has been sufficient although other distances will also be useful. 
         [0042]    Turning now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the latching mechanism  70  is illustrated along a plane perpendicular to the central shaft  72 . The arcuate member  12  includes a cavity  106  having a bore  108  therein sized and shaped to receive the central shaft  72  wherein the cavity is further sized and shaped to receive the lever arms  78  and conducting arms  82 . The cavity  106  may be shaped to permit the central shaft  72  to be rotated a desired amount, such as for example 90 degrees. The cavity  106  includes electrical contacts  104  within the bore  108  so as to be in contact with the central shaft  72 . The electrical contacts  104  are positioned so as to make electrical connection with the conductive strip  100  when the central shaft  72  is rotated such that the conducting arms  82  extend from the arcuate member  12  so as to engage an interchangeable cartridge applied therearound. The cartridge  32  may include a slot  112  to receive the distal ends  90  of the conducting arms and a raised portion  110  to engage the conductive body  96  and retain the conducting arms therein in a locked position. In the locked position, the electrical contacts  104  are in contact with the conductive strips  100  and each of the conducting arms  82  or the conductive body  98  are in contact with a corresponding contact within the cartridge  32 . The cartridges may have different uses for the power, ranging from a vibration motor, a heater element, light source to any combination of the three. Accordingly, electricity from the elongate body  12  as conducted by power wires  102  is conducted through the electrical contacts  104 , the conductive strips  100 , the shaft tube  86 , the conductive body  96  and to the cartridge so as to supply electrical power thereto. 
         [0043]    With reference to  FIGS. 7 through 11   b , the cartridge  32  includes a central passage  34  to be received upon the arcuate member. The central passage  34  includes the slots  112  as described above for securing the cartridge thereon. The cartridge  32  will be secured to the arcuate member  12  such that a bearing surface  36  is oriented towards the user when they are grasping the handles. The cartridge may optionally include its own power source in place of the electrical contacts within the latching mechanism  70 . The cartridge  32  may be sized to suit the preferences of the user and may incorporate any known type of massage or vibration bearing surface as are known in the art. By way of non-limiting example, the bearing surface may comprise a plurality of rollers  37  as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , a single curved massage point  38  having very gradual radius to create a reasonably broad contact point as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The curved massage point may optionally include light emitting diodes  39  to provide light and heat to relieve muscle strain and stress. These LED&#39;s can also help to promote blood flow improving healing. The cartridge  32  may also have multiple stimulation points  39  as illustrated in  FIG. 10  or a plurality of rollers, or wheels  40  on a common parallel shafts  42 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b . The shafts  42  may also be arranged in a circular array so as to fit into the curves of the neck and provide relaxation massages by rotating the apparatus up and down thereon. It will also be appreciated that the may have such bearing surfaces such as a back-scratcher, a loofa sponge to be used in the shower or bath or a massage point. 
         [0044]    In operation, a user may grasp the handles  50  of the apparatus  10  with the arcuate member behind the back of the user. As illustrated in  FIG. 12   a , the user may grasp the apparatus with one handle above their shoulders and one handle proximate to their waist. As illustrated in  FIG. 12   b , the user grasp the apparatus with both handles above their shoulders to massage their neck. As illustrated in  FIG. 12   c , the user may grasp the apparatus  10  with both handles  50  proximate to their shoulders so as to massage between their shoulder blades. As illustrated in  FIG. 12   d , the user may grasp the apparatus  10  with both handles  50  proximate to their waist so as to massage their lower back. In any of the above positions, the user may then move the apparatus  10  around on their back so as to provide the desired amount and type of massage to that part of their body. 
         [0045]    While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting the invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.