Patent Publication Number: US-11654077-B2

Title: Baby roller burpee and soothing massaging device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/838,574, filed on Apr. 25, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to massaging devices, and more particularly to a massaging device that can be worn on a user&#39;s hand to massage a baby, adult, or animal. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Existing techniques for massaging, burping, and soothing babies may be too rough. Massaging techniques and devices may cause irritation for users with textile sensitivity. 
     SUMMARY 
     Example 1 
     A massaging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a fastener configured to removably attach to a human hand; a first base non-rotatably attached to the fastener; a second base rotatably attached to the first base, wherein the second base is configured to rotate about a first axis; an interface mechanism configured to permit adjustment of a rotational position of the first base with respect to the second base among two or more rotational positions; a cylinder coupled to the second base, wherein the cylinder is configured to rotate about a second axis, and wherein the first axis and the second axis are not parallel, and wherein the cylinder does not directly contact the first or second bases. 
     Example 2 
     The massaging device of Example 1, the interface mechanism comprising a stopping mechanism configured to resist rotation of the second base with respect to the first base at a selected rotational position of the two or more rotational positions. 
     Example 3 
     The massaging device of any of Examples 1 to 2, wherein the stopping mechanism comprises a frictional element configured to increase rotational friction between the first and second bases at the selected rotational position. 
     Example 4 
     The massaging device of Example 1, wherein the interface mechanism is further configured to maintain the first base and the second base at a selected rotational position of the two or more rotational positions during use of the massaging device. 
     Example 5 
     The massaging device of Example 1, wherein the fastener is a mitt. 
     Example 6 
     The massaging device of Example 1, wherein the fastener is a strap. 
     Example 7 
     The massaging device of any of Examples 1 to 5, wherein the fastener covers up to a distal interphalangeal joint on each finger of the human hand when the fastener is attached to the human hand. 
     Example 8 
     The massaging device of Example 1, wherein the fastener is configured to removably attach to a left human hand, and wherein the fastener is configured to removably attach to a right human hand. 
     Example 9 
     The massaging device of Example 1, wherein the fastener comprises natural fibers. 
     Example 10 
     The massaging device of Example 1, wherein the first base or the second base is circular. 
     Example 11 
     The massaging device of Example 1, wherein the cylinder is a first cylinder, the massaging device further comprising a second cylinder coupled to the second base, wherein the second cylinder is configured to rotate about a third axis. 
     Example 12 
     The massaging device of Example 1, wherein the cylinder is no more than two cylinders. 
     Example 13 
     The massaging device of Example 1, wherein the cylinder comprises a material sufficiently flexible to conform to a baby&#39;s back upon application of manual pressure. 
     Example 14 
     The massaging device of Example 1, wherein the cylinder is removably coupled to the second base. 
     Example 15 
     The massaging device of Example 1, further comprising struts coupling the cylinder with the second base, the struts configured to position the cylinder at the second axis. 
     Example 16 
     The massaging device of any of Examples 1 to 15, wherein the struts comprise a material sufficiently flexible to bend upon application of manual pressure. 
     Example 17 
     A massaging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a fastener configured to removably attach the device to a human hand; a flexible cylinder configured to rotate about an axis; and flexible struts coupling the cylinder and the fastener, the flexible struts configured to separate the cylinder and the fastener and to position the cylinder at the axis. 
     While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a diagonal perspective view of a massaging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the massaging device of  FIG.  1   , with the first base rotated to a first rotational position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a diagonal perspective view of the massaging device of  FIG.  1   , with the first base rotated to a second rotational position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a diagonal perspective view of the massaging device of  FIG.  1   , with the first base rotated to a third rotational position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a side view of the massaging device of  FIG.  1   , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a side view of the massaging device of  FIG.  1   , rotated 90 degrees from the view shown in  FIG.  5   , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a top view of the massaging device of  FIG.  1   , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a bottom view of the massaging device of  FIG.  1   , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a diagonal perspective view of a massaging device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     While embodiments of the disclosure are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS.  1 - 8    illustrate a massaging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The massaging device may include a strap  100 , a first base  102 , a second base  104 , a cylinder  106 , a strut  108 , and a stopping mechanism. In some embodiments the stopping mechanism is comprised of a frictional element (as shown) and in other embodiments the stopping mechanism is comprised of a loop portion and a knob portion. 
     The strap  100  removably attaches to a user&#39;s hand. The strap  100  can be made from a variety of materials, including a hook-and-loop fastener. 
     The massaging device may also include a first base  102  non-rotatably attached to a strap  100 ; attached, for example, using glue and/or other types of adhesives, a hook-and-loop fastener, snaps, or stitches to prevent the first base  102  from rotating. The first base  102  may be comprised of flexible material, such as foam. The first base  102  may also be comprised of an inflexible material. The first base  102  may be any two-dimensional shape. As illustrated, the first base  102  may be circular. The massaging device may further include a second base  104  positioned between the first base  102  and a cylinder  106 . The second base  104  may be comprised of flexible material, such as foam. The second base  104  may also be comprised of an inflexible material. The second base  104  may be any two-dimensional shape. As illustrated, the second base  104  may be circular. The second base  104  may be comprised of multiple layers. The second base  104  may be rotatably attached to the first base  102 . 
     The massaging device may further include a stopping mechanism which serves to stop rotation of the first base. As illustrated, the stopping mechanism may comprise a frictional element. In another embodiment, the stopping mechanism may comprise a snap. In another embodiment, the stopping mechanism may comprise a loop portion and a knob portion. The loop portion may be attached to the first base  102  and the knob portion may be attached to the second base  104 . In another embodiment, the loop portion may be attached to the second base  104  and the knob portion may be attached to the first base  102 . In one embodiment, the loop portion may be comprised of a flexible band, such as an elastic band. In one embodiment, the knob portion may be comprised of a plastic sphere or a sphere made from a natural material such as wood. The knob portion may be inserted into the loop portion to prevent or reduce rotation of the second base  104  in relation to the first base  102 . 
     The massaging device may further include one or more cylinders  106 . In one embodiment, the massaging device may include two cylinders  106 . Each cylinder  106  may be comprised of a material sufficiently flexible to conform to the shape of the portion of the baby, adult, or animal to which it is applied upon application of manual pressure. In one embodiment, each cylinder  106  may be comprised of foam. 
     The second base  104  may be coupled to each cylinder  106  via a strut  108 . The struts  108  may be completely comprised of flexible material or may be comprised of part flexible material and part non-flexible material, as shown. The struts  108  may be configured to position the cylinders  106  at the axes about which the cylinders  106  rotate. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the massaging device of  FIG.  1   , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. First base  102  may be configured to rotate about a first axis  200 . The first axis  200  may be perpendicular to the fastener. The first base  102  may rotate about the first axis  200  in any increment from 0 to 360 degrees. Each place where the first base  102  may stop in its rotation about the first axis  200  is a rotational position, according to some embodiments.  FIG.  2    illustrates the first base  102  rotated to a first rotational position. The first base  102  may rotate freely about the first axis  200  or may be designed to encounter resistance, such as rotational friction, as it rotates about the first axis  200 , facilitating stopping. The user may use the stopping mechanism to select and maintain the first and second base at a selected rotational position. The rotation of the first base  102  about the first axis  200  also allows the cylinders  106 , which are indirectly coupled to the second base  104 , to be positioned in different directions, according to some embodiments. For example, the cylinders  106  may be positioned horizontally with respect to a body part of a baby, adult, or animal. Alternatively, the cylinders  106  may be positioned vertically with respect to a body part of a baby, adult, or animal. One cylinder  106  may rotate about a second axis  202 . The second axis  202  may not be parallel with the first axis. Another cylinder  106  may rotate about a third axis  204 . The third axis  204  may not be parallel with the first axis. As illustrated, the struts  108  may be configured to position the cylinders  106  at second axis  202  and third axis  204  about which the cylinders  106  rotate. Each strut  108  may pass through each cylinder  106 , or may pass only partially through each cylinder  106 , or may not pass through each cylinder  106  at all, as shown, according to some embodiments. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates the massaging device of  FIG.  1   , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, with the first base  102  rotated to a second rotational position. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates the massaging device of  FIG.  1   , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, with the first base  102  rotated to a third rotational position. 
       FIG.  5    illustrates a side view of the massaging device of  FIG.  1   , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the struts  108  may couple the cylinder  106  to a second base  104 .  FIG.  5    illustrates that in some embodiments, the cylinders  106  do not directly contact the second base  104 —a space  500  may be maintained by the struts  108 . 
       FIG.  6    illustrates a side view of the massaging device of  FIG.  1   , rotated 90 degrees from the view shown in  FIG.  5   , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the struts  108  may couple the cylinder  106  to a second base  104 .  FIG.  6    illustrates that in some embodiments, the cylinders  106  do not directly contact the second base  104 —a space  500  may be maintained by the struts  108 . 
       FIG.  7    illustrates a top view of the massaging device of  FIG.  1   , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       FIG.  8    illustrates a bottom view of the massaging device of  FIG.  1   , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       FIG.  9    illustrates another embodiment of a massaging device of the present disclosure. The massaging device may include a mitt  900 . The mitt  900  may be a type of fastener which may be configured to removably attach to a human hand, such as by allowing the user to slide a hand into and out of the mitt  900 . The mitt  900  may be comprised of a variety of materials, including textiles, rubber, latex, plastic, neoprene, nitrile, vinyl, polyester, or leather. In a preferred embodiment, the mitt may be comprised of natural fibers, such as, for example, cotton, linen, silk, wool, or cashmere. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the massaging device may be removably attached to a left human hand or a right human hand.  FIG.  9    illustrates a mitt  900  configured to removably attach to a left human hand.  FIG.  9    further illustrates that in some embodiments the mitt  900  may not extend past the distal interphalangeal joint on at least some fingers, leaving the user&#39;s fingertips exposed. In some embodiments of the present invention there is an opening  902  where the user&#39;s fingertips may be exposed. This may allow the user to directly touch and feel the subject baby, adult, or animal. 
     Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.