Patent Publication Number: US-2007100259-A1

Title: Massage apparatus

Description:
FIELD  
      The present document relates to a massage apparatus, and more particularly to a massage apparatus that produces a vacuum.  
     SUMMARY  
      In one embodiment, the massage apparatus comprises a body having a handle engaged to a vibratory casing, the handle including a vacuum pulsation generator disposed therein, the vacuum pulsation generator for generating a vacuum effect and having a means for automatically generating a varied pulsed vacuum effect, and a suction cup engaged to the vibratory casing for producing a varied pulsed vacuum and/or vibrating effect.  
      In another embodiment, the massage apparatus comprises a handle having a vacuum pulsation generator disposed therein, the vacuum pulsation generator in operative association with a conduit, the vacuum pulsation generator providing a means for generating a varied pulsed vacuum effect through the conduit,  
      a vibrator casing operatively associated with the handle through a flexible member forming the conduit, the vibrator casing having a vibratory component disposed therein for providing a vibrating function, and a swivel head operatively engaged to the vibratory casing through the flexible member, the flexible member being capable of retaining a bent orientation relative to the handle.  
      In yet another embodiment, the vacuum pulsation generator comprises an upper casing and a lower casing collectively defining a main chamber having a motor operatively disposed therein, the upper casing defining an inlet in selective fluid flow communication with an air-intake check valve operable between open and closed positions for permitting or preventing fluid flow communication through the inlet, the upper casing further defining an outlet in selective fluid flow communication with an air-exhaust check valve operable between an open and closed positions for permitting or preventing fluid flow communication through the outlet, the motor being operatively associated with a flexible diaphragm through a movable link driven by operation of the motor.  
      In another embodiment, the massage apparatus comprises a body having a conduit in fluid flow communication with a vacuum pulsation generator disposed inside the body, the vacuum pulsation generator being adapted to generate a varied pulsed vacuum effect through the conduit.  
      Implementation of the above embodiments may include one or more of the following features:  
      The vibrator casing is engaged to the handle through a flexible member, the vibrator casing including a vibratory component disposed therein for providing a vibratory effect.  
      The flexible member permits the suction cup to be positioned in various orientations relative to the hollow body and retain that bent orientation.  
      The vacuum pulsation generator comprises upper and lower casings defining a main chamber.  
      The vacuum pulsation generator comprises a flexible diaphragm operatively disposed inside the main chamber, the diaphragm being operable to that generate the varied pulsed vacuum effect by varying volume above the diaphragm on the main chamber.  
      The vacuum pulsation generator further comprises an air-intake check valve in selective fluid flow communication with the main chamber for preventing or permitting fluid flow in communication with the main chamber.  
      The air-intake check valve is in operative engagement with a control switch, the control switch having a means for automatically providing a varied pulsed vacuum effect.  
      The air-exhaust check valve is in operative engagement with a vacuum release button, the vacuum release button providing a means for releasing vacuum from the main chamber when the air-exhaust check valve is in the open position.  
      The vacuum pulsation generator further comprises a diaphragm-pushing holder operatively engaged to the diaphragm and defining a fixed pivot, the diaphragm-pushing holder being operatively engaged to a movable link, wherein movement of the movable link causes the diaphragm-pushing holder to move the diaphragm in a reciprocating movement for producing a varied pulsed vacuum effect.  
      The movable link is operatively engaged to a shaft of a motor, the shaft defining a moving pivot, wherein movement of the moving pivot relative to the fixed pivot by the movable link when the motor is operable causes the diaphragm-pushing holder to move the diaphragm in the reciprocating movement.  
      The moving pivot is eccentrically mounted to the shaft.  
      The diaphragm has a peripheral area operatively engaged to a support spring.  
      The suction cup is in fluid flow communication with the vacuum pulsation generator through a conduit for providing the varied pulsed vacuum effect.  
      The vacuum pulsation generator further comprises a control switch for providing a vacuum mode for generating a vacuum in the vacuum environment.  
      The vacuum pulsation generator further comprises a vacuum release button operable to release vacuum from the main chamber.  
      Additional features will be set forth in the description which follows or will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the drawings and detailed description which follows.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the massage apparatus;  
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the massage apparatus;  
       FIG. 3  is a simplified cross-sectional illustration of the vacuum pulsation generator of the massage apparatus;  
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are partial cross-sectional views of the suction cup assembly of the massage apparatus;  
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  are simplified cross-sectional illustrations of the vacuum pulsation generator showing the airflow pathway during vacuum generating process;  
       FIG. 6  is a simplified cross-sectional illustration of the vacuum pulsation generator showing the process of producing an automatic and varied pulsed vacuum effect; and  
       FIG. 7  is a simplified cross-sectional illustration of the vacuum pulsation generator showing the process of vacuum release. 
    
    
      Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding elements among the view of the drawings.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      Referring to the drawings, an embodiment of the massage apparatus is illustrated and generally indicated as  10  in  FIG. 1 . The massage apparatus  10  may include a body  12  including a hollow handle  14  engaged to a swivel head  16  by a flexible member  24  that permits the swivel head  16  to be bent at various orientations relative to the handle  14  and retain that bent orientation after the bending force has been removed.  
      In one embodiment, the swivel head  16  may be made of a resilient material and has a generally cylindrical shape with a double-layered construction comprising a flexible suction cup  18  engaged to a support cup  20 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the support cup  20  defines internal threads  54  adapted to engage external threads  56  defined by a vibrator casing  22  which houses a vibratory component  32  that provides a means for producing a vibratory effect as shall be discussed in greater detail below.  
      As further shown, the handle  14  defines a chamber  46  that communicates with an open end  44  and is adapted to house a vacuum pulsation generator  30  therein for providing an automatic and varied pulsed vacuum effect. The chamber  46  also houses a battery source  34  comprising a plurality of batteries  35  encased in a battery casing  28  that provide a power supply to the various components of the massage apparatus  10 , such as the vibratory component  32  and vacuum pulsation generator  30  through a wire  58 . In addition, wire  58  may also be adapted to transmit signals that control operation of various components of massage apparatus  10 . An end cap  26  may define at least one protrusion  140  adapted to engage at least one L-shaped slot  52  defined around the periphery of open end  44  of handle  14  in order to secure the end cap  26  to handle  14 . A plurality of extruded profiles  48  may be defined along the exterior of handle  14  for providing an ergonomic and comfortable gripping surface for the user. The handle  14  may further comprise a vacuum release button  50  that is operatively associated with vacuum pulsation generator  30  for controlling vacuum release operation of the massage apparatus  10 .  
      In one embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2, 4A  and  4 B, swivel head  16  may include a suction cup  18  having an outer portion  60  and an inner portion  62  with a channel  66  defined between portions  60  and  62 . Inner portion  62  defines a bore  64  that communicates with a distal opening  146  and an opposing proximal opening  148 . The suction cup  18  may be engageable with support cup  20  such that support cup  20  engages the channel  66  of suction cup  18 . In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , suction cup  18 A may define a smooth bore  150  with no inner portion that is adapted to engage vibratory casing  22 . However, it is contemplated that any suction cup  18  configured to apply a pulsed vacuum and/or vibratory effect to the user is felt to fall within the scope of the present embodiment.  
      Referring to  FIG. 3 , the vacuum pulsation generator  30  may be adapted to provide an automatic means of generating a varied pulsed vacuum effect by massage apparatus  10  such that the vacuum generated is provided in varied, non-periodic pulses. Specifically, the vacuum pulsation generator  30  may include an upper casing  68  engaged to a lower casing  70  for housing the various components of the vacuum pulsation generator  30 . Further, the vacuum pulsation generator  30  may include a control switch  42  operatively engaged to an air-intake valve  36  that is in selective fluid flow communication with a main chamber  74  defined by upper casing  68  and a flexible diaphragm  76 . The vacuum pulsation generator  30  may further include a vacuum release button  50  that is operatively engaged with an air-exhaust check valve  38  that permits air to be evacuated from main chamber  74  when vacuum is released as shall be described in greater detail below.  
      As further shown, the air-intake check valve  36  may include a first chamber  98  in communication with a second chamber  100  through a port  126  at one end and a conduit  138  at another end, while second chamber  100  may be in fluid flow communication with main chamber  74  through an inlet  128 . The air-intake check valve  36  may further include a rod  86  that is operatively associated with control switch  42  for controlling the operation of air-intake check valve  36 . The rod  86  is slidably disposed through channel  96  and includes a stop  156  that is engageable with the wall of chamber  98  along opening  124  for controlling the lateral movement of rod  86 . Rod  86  is operatively engageable with a plug  88  that is adapted to selectively permit or prevent fluid flow communication through port  126  of air-intake check valve  36 . As further shown, control switch  42  may include a spring  114  operatively engaged to rod  86  at one end, while a spring  116  is operatively engaged to plug  88 . Spring  116  applies a bias to the plug  88  and spring  114  applies a counter bias against handle  154  by rod  86  such that control switch  42  is operatively associated with plug  88  for selectively permitting or preventing fluid flow communication through opening  126  upon actuation of switch  42 . A pair of sealing elements  122  made of a resilient material is disposed around channel  96  for providing a fluid tight seal around rod  86 .  
      The air-exhaust check valve  38  may include a first chamber  92  in communication with a second chamber  94  through an opening  108  and the main chamber  74  through an outlet  130 . In addition, vacuum release button  50  may include a handle  154  operatively engaged to a rod  82  that communicates with first chamber  92  through a channel  90 . The rod  82  may be operatively associated with a stop  158  that is engageable with the wall of chamber  92  along opening  106  for controlling the lateral movement of rod  82 . Rod  82  may be operatively engageable with a plug  83  that is adapted to selectively permit or prevent fluid flow communication through opening  108  when actuated by the vacuum release button  50 . As further shown, second chamber  94  defines a port  104  in fluid flow communication with atmosphere for permitting bi-directional airflow from the main chamber  74 . Vacuum release button  50  may include a first spring  110  operatively associated with rod  82  at one end, while a second spring  112  is operatively engaged to plug  83 . Spring  112  applies a spring bias to the plug  83  and spring  110  applies a counter spring bias against handle  154  by rod  82  such that the vacuum release button  50  is operatively associated with plug  83  for selectively permitting or preventing fluid flow communication through opening  108  upon actuation of button  50 . Finally, first and second sealing elements  120  may be disposed around channel  90  for providing a fluid-tight seal around rod  82 .  
      As further shown, flexible diaphragm  76  may be engaged along its peripheral area to a support spring  78  mounted between the upper and lower casings  68 ,  70  of the vacuum pulsation generator  30  for facilitating a reciprocating movement by diaphragm  76 . The flexible diaphragm  76  is operatively engaged to a movable link  132  through a diaphragm-pushing holder  118  that provides a means for transmitting a force to flexible diaphragm  76  that causes diaphragm  76  to move in a reciprocating movement such that a varied pulsed vacuum effect is provided when actuated by the user. This varied pulsed vacuum effect produced by the vacuum pulsation generator  30  automatically generates pulses of vacuum in a varied, non-periodic manner through a conduit  138  that is defined through tubing  59  and in selective fluid flow communication between the suction cup  18  and the vacuum pulsation generator  30 .  
      To provide this varied pulsed vacuum effect, the movable link  132 , for example a flexible belt, may be operatively engaged to the diaphragm-pushing holder  118  at one end and a moving pivot  136  at the opposite end thereof. In addition, the movable link  132  may be operatively engaged to a motor  72  and transmits a force generated by the rotation of moving pivot  136  by motor shaft  144  about a fixed point  137  relative to a fixed pivot  136  defined by the diaphragm-pushing holder  118 . The rotating action of the moving pivot  136  about fixed point  137  along pathway  160  transmits a generally reciprocating force to the diaphragm- pushing holder  118  that causes the flexible diaphragm  76  to move in a reciprocating movement illustrated by directions B and C. The movable link  132  may be eccentrically mounted to the motor shaft  144  for generating this reciprocating movement for producing varied, non-periodic pulses of vacuum.  
      As noted above, the control switch  42  may control the operation of the massage apparatus  10  in one of three modes; OFF mode; VACUUM mode; and VIBRATION mode by moving the switch  42  in one of three positions that correspond to each respective mode. When the control switch  42  is placed in the VACUUM mode, a continuous vacuum is then generated that draws air into the vacuum pulsation generator  30  from the suction cup  18  and through conduit  138 . If it is desired to release vacuum, the user may actuate the vacuum release button  50  as discussed below. When the control switch  42  is placed in the VIBRATION mode, the vibratory component  32  is activated which causes the vibratory component  32  to generate a vibration movement in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the component  32 . This vibration movement causes the entire swivel head  16  to vibrate while vacuum may be simultaneously generated by massage apparatus  10  and applied by suction cup  18 .  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 5A , when the control switch  42  is placed from the OFF mode to the VACUUM mode, the vacuum pulsation generator  30  is activated in order to generate a level of sufficient vacuum within massage apparatus  10 . During this vacuum generating process, the air-intake check valve  36  may be placed in the open position when handle  152  is actuated and overcomes the spring bias applied by spring  116 . This action disengages the plug  88  from opening  126  to permit fluid flow communication through inlet  128  as indicated by airflow E. At the same time, the air-exhaust check valve  38  is in the closed position for preventing fluid flow communication through outlet  130 . As the motor  72  rotates the motor shaft  144  in a counter clockwise direction A the flexible diaphragm  76  initially moves in direction B such that airflow E from conduit  138  enters the portion of main chamber  74  above diaphragm  76  through inlet  128 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 5B , should the proximal opening  146  of suction cup  18  become blocked, continual rotation of motor shaft  144  in direction A while the air-intake check valve  36  is in the closed position and the air-exhaust check valve  38  is in the open position causes diaphragm  76  to then move in a direction C such that airflow G is permitted to exit from air-exhaust check valve  138  through outlet  130  and port  104 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 6 , when sufficient vacuum has been generated to a certain level by the vacuum pulsation generator  30 , the user may actuate control switch  42  to the VIBRATION mode that causes the massage apparatus  10  to provide both the varied pulsed vacuum and vibration effects. In addition, actuating the control switch  42  to the VIBRATION mode causes rod  86  to engage plug  88  that permits fluid flow communication through opening  126  and causes the air-intake check valve  36  to be placed in the open position such that the vacuum level inside main chamber  74  is not increased, but maintained at that certain vacuum level. Because the motor  72  remains in operation such that diaphragm  76  moves in a reciprocating movement, the volume of space of chamber  74  above the diaphragm  76  is made to vary when the diaphragm  76  is moved between directions B and C. This variation in the volume of main chamber  74  above diaphragm  76  automatically produces the varied pulsed vacuum effect in the vacuum environment.  
      Referring to  FIG. 7 , when the user presses vacuum release button  50  while the control switch  42  remains in the VIBRATION mode, rod  82  is brought into engagement with plug  83  that permits fluid flow communication through port  104  and release the vacuum generated in main chamber  74 , thereby terminating the varied pulsed vacuum effect in the vacuum environment.  
      It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particular embodiments have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are within the scope and teaching of this invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.