Patent Publication Number: US-10758000-B2

Title: Footwear having multiple massage devices and method

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of footwear of existing art and more specifically relates to massaging footwear. 
     RELATED ART 
     To massage is to repeatedly apply pressure to the body as a therapeutic technique. Massage techniques may be done with hands, fingers, feet, other parts of the body, or a mechanical device. A massage may be applied to various parts of the body. A massage may be useful for treating physical pain, discomfort, and stress. Potential benefits for a recipient may also include reduced anxiety, depression, blood pressure, and heart rates. Some types of massage therapy have been developed to target specific combination of massage points in order to treat specific types or areas of pain. 
     Unfortunately, a massage usually requires a recipient to maintain a stationary position so that a massage therapist or a machine may massage the recipient. This may require devoting an unsuitable amount of time without being able to complete other tasks simultaneously. A suitable solution is desired. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,632,481 to Zheng Shi et al relates to a therapeutic shoe. The described therapeutic shoe includes a main body, a sole located at one side of the main body, a vibration layer, and a power generating module. The vibration layer is located between the main body and the sole. The power generating module includes a power generating unit, a rectifying circuit and a vibration device, which are electrically connected in series. The power generating unit generates and induces induced current. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known footwear art, the present disclosure provides a novel footwear having multiple massage devices and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a footwear having multiple massage devices and method. 
     A footwear is disclosed herein. The footwear includes a sole, a plurality of massage units, and a controller. The sole provides a support to the underside of a user&#39;s foot when the user is wearing the footwear. The massage units each include a channel, a plunger, a spring, and an actuator. The plunger is disposed within the channel and may slide within it linearly. The plunger has a shaft which terminates in an applicator, the applicator being round and configured to provide pressure to the user&#39;s foot. The spring is configured to maintain the plunger within a contact-position when at rest. This contact-position occurs when the plunger is maximally distal to the spring. The actuator is able to draw the plunger against the spring and release the plunger in repetition when energized, enacting a massaging action. The controller is able to selectively engage the actuators. 
     According to another embodiment, a method of selectively massaging a portion of a user&#39;s foot is also disclosed herein. The method of selectively massaging a portion of a user&#39;s foot includes providing the above-described footwear, predetermining a first-selection of massage-units chosen from the massage-units, energizing the actuators corresponding to the first-selection of massage-units, actuating the first-selection of massage-units, and optionally, predetermining additional selections of massage-units. 
     For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a footwear having multiple massage devices and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a cutaway view of the footwear during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the plurality of massage-units of the footwear of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the footwear of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a cutaway view of the footwear of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for selectively massaging a portion of a foot of a user, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a footwear and more particularly to a footwear having multiple massage devices and method as used to improve the massaging of a foot of a user. 
     Generally, the footwear includes a sole with a plurality of massage-units attached to the sole. A controller may regulate operation of the massage-units. The massage-units protrude upwardly to engage a foot of a user resting on top of the sole within the footwear. Each massage unit includes a plunger riding within a channel, an actuator beneath the plunger which may retract the plunger away from the user&#39;s foot, and a coil spring separating the plunger from the actuator. The coil spring maintains the plunger in a position distal to the actuator. The plunger is limited in its travel and may not pass beyond a stop in the channel. With this structure, repeatedly energizing and deenergizing the actuator of one massage unit may cause the plunger to repeatedly reciprocate in a massaging action against the user&#39;s foot while in use. In a preferred embodiment, the controller contains a program for selecting multiples of the massage-units as desired by a user. This may be accomplished by an external device able to customize programs for the controller or may be integral to the controller and the footwear in some embodiments. This may enable a user to target specific regions of the user&#39;s foot for specific therapies and applications. 
     In one embodiment, the disclosure may further include a software program, particularly an application for use with a mobile device or other computing device. The program may include a user interface for programming and selecting patterns for targeting specific regions of the user&#39;s foot while using the footwear. The program may enable the computing device to be in wireless communication with the footwear such that the computing device can initiate the massaging action of the footwear in accordance with pre-programmed patterns. In particular, the user interface may provide a user with options for specified zone therapies for activating particular regions of the footwear corresponding to regions of the foot. In one example, a zone therapy program may be selected by a user to engage massage units corresponding to the innermost centers of both the left and right feet. In some therapies, this may correspond to a particular therapeutic application, such as reducing pain to the kidneys of the user of the footwear. Additional features engagable by the user interface may include selectable rates of massage unit pulsation or a constant pressure mode. Built-in programs may be based upon in-use reflexology practices, as well as customizable programs in some embodiments. The software program may also include tutorials and other educational features. 
     Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , various views of a footwear  100 . 
       FIG. 1  shows a footwear during an ‘in-use’ condition  50 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, footwear  100  may be beneficial for use by a user  40  to selectively massage a portion of a foot of a user. As illustrated, footwear  100  may include sole  110 , insole  160 , plurality of massage-units  120 , controller  130 , and cuff  140 . Footwear  100  may be able to massage foot  10  of user  40 . Sole  110  may be configured to support underside  15  of foot  10  of user  40 , with plurality of massage-units  120  being embedded within sole  110 . Insole  160  may be disposed on top of sole  110 , such that insole  160  provides cushioning between foot  10  and sole  110 . Insole  160  may be malleable and may be configured to cushion foot  10  of user  40  against plurality of massage-units  120 . Thereby, plurality of massage-units  120  may be able to provide pressure via a massaging action to foot  10  through displacement of insole  160 . In alternative embodiments, plurality of massage-units  120  may pass through insole  160 . Controller  130  may be in electrical communication with plurality of massage-units  120  and may be configured to selectively engage one or more of plurality of massage-units  120 . Preferably, footwear  100  is a boot as shown. 
       FIG. 2  shows footwear  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, footwear  100  may include plurality of massage-units  120 . Each of plurality of massage-units  120  may include channel  122 , plunger  124 , spring  126 , and actuator  128 . Plunger  124  may be configured to slide within channel  122  and may have shaft  125  terminating in applicator  127 . Applicator  127  may be round in a preferred embodiment and may be configured to provide pressure to foot  10  ( FIG. 1 ) when actuator  128  is energized. In alternative embodiments applicator  127  may be flat or have other contours. Spring  126  may be configured to maintain plunger  124  in contact-position  129 , such that contact-position  129  may be distal to spring  126 . Spring  126  may be a coil spring able to be compressed between plunger  124  and actuator  128 . Actuator  128  may be configured to draw plunger  124  against spring  126  and release plunger  124  in repetition, thereby effecting a massaging action when foot  10  ( FIG. 1 ) is placed against plurality of massage-units  120  and alternatively insole  160  ( FIG. 1 ). Channel  122  of each of plurality of massage-units  120  is characterized by channel-axis  174 , channel  122  being a cylinder, such that channel  122 -axis passes through the center of channel  122 . Preferably, channel  122  and plunger  124  are each cylindrical, such that plunger  124  is nested within channel  122  may only travel linearly within channel  122  along channel-axis  174 . Plunger  124  of the massage unit may further include flange  170 . Channel  122  of the massage unit may also further include constriction  172 . Flange  170  may be annular and concentric to plunger  124 , while constriction  172  may likewise be annular and concentric to channel  122 . Flange  170  may be structured and arranged to impinge upon constriction  172 , having dimensions that prevent flange  170  from passing beyond constriction  172 , thereby retaining plunger  124  within channel  122 . Flange  170  may be configured to prevent plunger  124  from leaving channel  122  despite forces being enacted upon plunger  124  by spring  126  and actuator  128 . Preferably, actuator  128  is an electromagnet configured to draw plunger  124  against spring  126  when energized. Channel  122 , plunger  124 , spring  126 , and actuator  128  may all be cylindrically shaped and may each be arranged concentrically to one another. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of footwear  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Cuff  140  may itself include aperture  142 . Aperture  142  may be sufficiently large for ankle  30  ( FIG. 1 ) of user  40  ( FIG. 1 ) to pass through aperture  142 . Cuff-axis  144  may pass centrally through aperture  142 . Cuff-axis  144  may be disposed approximately parallel to cylinder-axis  174  ( FIG. 2 ). Footwear  100  may further include electric resistance heater  150 . Electric resistance heater  150  may be configured to produce heat when energized and may be disposed within cuff  140  of footwear  100 . In one embodiment, cuff  140  of footwear  100  may be elastic. In another embodiment, cuff  140  of footwear  100  may include exterior  146 , strap  148 , and hook-and-loop fastener  149 . Hook-and-loop fastener  149  may be configured to affix strap  148  to exterior  146 , such that strap  148  may circumscribe cuff  140 , and may constrict cuff  140  about ankle  30  ( FIG. 1 ) of user  40  ( FIG. 1 ) when hook-and-loop fastener  149  is engaged. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of footwear  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Plurality of massage units  120  may be in electrical communication with power source  190 , switching means  192 , and controller  130  ( FIG. 1 ). Power source  190  may be able to selectively engage each of plurality of massage-units  120  independently via controller  130  ( FIG. 1 ). In this way, a specific combination of plurality of massage-units  120  may be engaged in order to target and massage a particular area of the foot as desired by user  40  ( FIG. 1 ). In one embodiment, controller  130  ( FIG. 1 ) is programmable, such that user  40  ( FIG. 1 ) may select customizable combination  180  of the plurality of massage units  120  to energize while in use. Power source  190  may be in electric communication with controller  130  and each of actuators  128  ( FIG. 2 ) in combination, such that the power source  190  may selectively engage each of actuators  128  ( FIG. 2 ) independently via controller  130 . Preferably, power source  190  is a battery. Switching means  192  may enable user  40  ( FIG. 1 ) to selectively connect the power source  190  to plurality of massage-units  120  manually. 
     Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other structural arrangements such as, for example, different footwear structures, additional massage features, alternative arrangements of massage devices, etc., may be sufficient. 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating a method for selectively massaging a portion of a foot of a user, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method for selectively massaging a portion of a foot of a user  500  may include one or more components or features of the footwear  100  as described above. As illustrated, the method for selectively massaging a portion of a foot of a user  500  may include the steps of: step one  501 , providing a footwear able to massage a foot of a user, the footwear comprising: a sole configured to support an underside of the foot of the user; a plurality of massage-units each including a channel, a plunger, the plunger being configured to slide within the channel, the plunger having a shaft terminating in an applicator, the applicator being round, a spring configured to maintain the plunger in a contact-position, the contact-position being distal to the spring, an actuator configured to draw the plunger against the spring and release the plunger in repetition; and a controller configured to selectively engage the actuators; step two  502 , predetermining a first-selection of massage-units chosen from the plurality of massage-units; step three  503 , energizing the actuators corresponding to the first-selection of massage-units; step four  504 , actuating the first-selection of massage-units; and step five  505 , predetermining a second-selection of massage-units chosen from the plurality of massage-units. 
     It should be noted that step  505  is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use  500  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 5  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use  500 . It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for selectively massaging a portion of a foot of a user, are taught herein. 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.