Patent Publication Number: US-2022233393-A1

Title: Massager

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/140,285 filed Jan. 22, 2021, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a handheld massage device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Massages are often used to relieve stress and muscle tension. Handheld massage devices provide a consistent massaging motion (e.g., vibration) such that a patient&#39;s muscles are massaged by the motion or vibration of the device. Often handheld massage devices are powered by electricity and offer various intensity/power settings. Handheld massagers may be used by experienced masseuses or by untrained individuals. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present application relates to methods for improving a handheld massaging device. Massagers may be heavy and may be difficult for a user to hold while operating. In some instances, the user of the device may become sore or tired from holding the device during prolonged use. It is desirable to provide a massager that is functional and ergonomically pleasing to both the user and the patient. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a handheld massaging device includes a body having first and second ends and a gripping surface, a first trigger proximate the first end, a second trigger proximate the second end, a motor disposed in the body, a battery disposed in the body, and a massage attachment having a shaft removably attached to the body at the second end. 
     According to an aspect, the body has a longitudinal axis, wherein the gripping surface extends along the longitudinal axis, and wherein the shaft has a longitudinal axis parallel to or coaxial with the longitudinal axis. 
     According to an aspect, the gripping surface can be grasped by a user in a first orientation with the massage attachment pointing in a first direction where the user&#39;s index finger activates the first trigger, and a second orientation with the massage attachment pointing in a second direction opposite the first direction where the user&#39;s index finger activates the second trigger. 
     According to an aspect, the gripping surface includes first, second, and third grip locations between the first and second triggers, wherein in the first orientation the user&#39;s fingers rest on the first trigger and the first, second and third grip locations, and wherein in the second orientation the user&#39;s fingers rest on the second trigger and the third, second, and first grip locations. 
     According to an aspect, each of the first and second triggers includes a safety. 
     According to an aspect, the handheld massaging device further includes a lock for each trigger to lock the respective trigger in an on position. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a handheld massaging device includes a body having first and second ends and a gripping surface extending along a side of the body along a longitudinal axis of the body, a first trigger extending from the gripping surface proximate the first end, a second trigger extending from the gripping surface proximate the second end, a motor disposed in the body, and a massage attachment removably attached to the body at the second end and configured to be driven by the motor. 
     According to an aspect, the massaging device further includes a battery disposed in the body, wherein a battery charge indicator is provided for indicating a level of charge of the battery. 
     According to an aspect, the massaging device further includes a light array on the body extending along the longitudinal axis. 
     According to an aspect, the massage attachment includes a shaft removably attached to the body, the shaft extending in a direction along the longitudinal axis. 
     According to an aspect, the massage attachment includes a release lock biased in a first position to prevent removal of the massage attachment and movable to a second position to allow removal of the massage attachment. 
     According to an aspect, the gripping surface includes a plurality of curved grip locations for a user&#39;s fingers. 
     According to an aspect, the gripping surface can be grasped by a user in a first orientation with the massage attachment pointing in a first direction where the user&#39;s index finger activates the first trigger, and a second orientation with the massage attachment pointing in a second direction opposite the first direction where the user&#39;s index finger activates the second trigger. 
     According to an aspect, the gripping surface includes first, second, and third grip locations between the first and second triggers, wherein in the first orientation the user&#39;s fingers rest on the first trigger and the first, second and third grip locations, and wherein in the second orientation the user&#39;s fingers rest on the second trigger and the third, second, and first grip locations. 
     According to an aspect, each of the first and second triggers includes a safety that is engagable to prevent unintentional activation of the respective switch. 
     According to an aspect, the handheld massaging device further includes a lock for each trigger to lock the respective trigger in an on position. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a handheld massaging device includes a body having first and second ends and a gripping surface extending along a side of the body along a longitudinal axis of the body, the gripping surface including a plurality of curved grip locations for a user&#39;s fingers, a first trigger extending from the gripping surface proximate the first end, a second trigger extending from the gripping surface proximate the second end, a motor disposed in the body, and a massage attachment having a shaft removably attached to the body at the second end and configured to be driven by the motor, the shaft extending along the longitudinal axis to be parallel to or coaxial with the longitudinal axis. 
     According to an aspect, each of the first and second triggers includes a safety that is engagable to prevent unintentional activation of the respective switch. 
     According to an aspect, the gripping surface can be grasped by a user in a first orientation with the massage attachment pointing in a first direction where the user&#39;s index finger activates the first trigger, and a second orientation with the massage attachment pointing in a second direction opposite the first direction where the user&#39;s index finger activates the second trigger. 
     According to an aspect, the gripping surface includes first, second, and third grip locations between the first and second triggers, wherein in the first orientation the user&#39;s fingers rest on the first trigger and the first, second and third grip locations, and wherein in the second orientation the user&#39;s fingers rest on the second trigger and the third, second, and first grip locations. 
     The foregoing and other features of the invention are hereinafter described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a massager. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of a massaging attachment for a massager. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a massaging attachment for a massager. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of another exemplary embodiment of a massaging attachment for a massager. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of a massager is shown generally at reference numeral  10 . The massager  10  may include a body  12  having a first end  14  and a second end  16 , a first trigger  18 , a second trigger  20 , an attachment shaft  22 , a massaging attachment  24 , and at least one surface for gripping  26 . The first end  14  may be opposite the second end  16 . The first trigger  18  may be located proximate the first end  14 , and the second trigger  20  may be located proximate the second end  16 . The attachment shaft  22  may be located proximate the second end  16  such that a longitudinal axis of the attachment shaft  22  is coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the body  12 . The attachment shaft  22  may allow a user to attach a massaging attachment  24  to the massager  10 . The surface for gripping  26  may extend along a side wall of the body  12  from the first end  14  to the second end  16  to allow a user&#39;s hand to grasp the massager  10 . 
     The massager  10  may further include interior components such as a motor and a battery source. The battery may power the motor, and the motor may create a massaging motion (e.g., rotation, vibration, translation, etc.) at the attachment shaft  22 . The massaging motion at the attachment shaft  22  may translate to the massaging attachment  24  (e.g., when the massaging attachment  24  is attached to the massager  10 ). The massaging attachment  24  may then be applied to a patient&#39;s muscle, thereby applying the massaging motion to the muscle, for example. A user may control the operation of the massaging motion (e.g., turn the motor “ON” or “OFF”, etc.) using the first trigger  18  or the second trigger  20 . 
     In an example, the surface for gripping  26  may be located on the same side of the body  12  as the first trigger  18  and the second trigger  20 . In this example, the surface for gripping  26  may extend along a side wall of the body  12  from the first trigger  18  to the second trigger  20 . This may allow a user to both grasp the massager  10  and simultaneously pull at least one of the first trigger  18  or the second trigger  20 . Users will appreciate that the massager  10  may be operated using one of the two triggers  18 ,  20  without having to release the grasp of the surface for gripping  26 . In this manner, the massager  10  may be operated using only one hand. 
     In an example, the locations of the first trigger  18 , the second trigger  20 , and the surface for gripping  26 , may allow a user to grasp the massager  10  in at least two different orientations. In a first orientation, a user may grasp the massager  10  such that the user&#39;s index finger rests on the first trigger  18 , the middle finger on location  30 , the ring finger on location  32 , and the pinky finger on location  34 . In the first orientation, the massage attachment  24  may be pointed down towards the patient. 
     In a second orientation, a user may grasp the massager  10  such that the user&#39;s index finger rests on the second trigger  20 , the middle finger on location  34 , the ring finger on location  32 , and the pinky finger on location  30 . In the second orientation, the massage attachment  24  may be pointed up towards the patient. It should be appreciated that the user may choose to direct the massager  10  in any desired direction to massage a patient, and may also choose between holding the massager  10  in the first orientation or the second orientation. 
     The locations  30 ,  32 ,  34  can be configured to match a corresponding shape of a user&#39;s finger. For instance, the locations  30 ,  32 ,  34  can be curved to fit and engage the user&#39;s fingers during operation of the massager  10 . It should also be appreciated that locations of the first trigger  18  and the second trigger  20  can also be configured with a curved grip location that can fit and engage the user&#39;s fingers (e.g., the index finger). Similarly, the first trigger  18  and the second trigger  20  can also be configured with a curvature to fit and engage a shape of a user&#39;s finger. 
     While holding the massager  10  in the first orientation, the user may operate the massager  10  (e.g., turn “ON” or “OFF”) by pulling the first trigger  18  (e.g., while the user&#39;s index finger is resting on the first trigger). While holding the massager  10  in the second orientation, the user may operate the massager  10  using the second trigger  20 . It should be appreciated that either of the first trigger  18  or the second trigger  20  may operate the massager  10 . In example, the massager  10  may be operated when either of the first trigger  18  and the second trigger  20  are pulled. In another example, only one trigger may operate the massager  10  at a given time. 
     The massager  10  may further include a first safety  40  for the first trigger  18  and a second safety  42  for the second trigger  20 . The first and second safety  40 ,  42  may be located proximate the respective trigger (e.g., the first safety  40  proximate the first trigger  18  and the second safety  42  proximate the second trigger  20 ). When engaged, the first and second safety  40 ,  42  may prevent a user from pulling the respective trigger (e.g., prevent a user from accidently or unintentionally turning the device “ON”). When disengaged, the user may operate the disengaged trigger (e.g., may turn the device “ON”). 
     In an example, a user may hold the massager  10  in the first orientation with the first safety  40  disengaged and the second safety  42  engaged. This may allow a user to operate the massager  10  with the first trigger  18 , while the second trigger  20  is disabled (e.g., using the second safety  42 ). In another example, the user may hold the massager  10  in the second orientation with the first safety  40  engaged and the second safety  42  disengaged to allow the user to operate the massager  10  with the second trigger  20 . In another example, both the first safety  40  and the second safety  42  may be engaged to prevent the massager from accidently turning “ON” (e.g., during storage or nonuse). In an embodiment, operation of the massager  10  with one of the triggers  18  or  20  will activate the safety or an internal safety to prevent use of the other trigger. 
     The massager  10  may further include a first slide lock and a second slide lock located proximate the first and the second trigger  18 ,  20 , respectively. The first and second slide lock may lock the first or the second trigger  18 ,  20  into an “ON” position when the lock is engaged. For example, a user operating the massager  10  in the first orientation may engage the first trigger  18  to turn the massager “ON”. To keep the first trigger  18  engaged, the user may engage the first slide lock to place the massager  10  in an “ALWAYS ON” mode. In other words, while the first slide lock is engaged, the first trigger  18  may stay engaged, and the massager may stay “ON”, without the user having to hold the first trigger  18 . Second slide lock may operate in the same manner with respect to second trigger  20 . 
     The attachment shaft  22  may allow a user to attach various massaging attachments  24  to the massager  10  to provide a massaging motion (vibration, circular movements, etc.). The massager  10  may further include a release lock  44  to facilitate removal and attachment of the massaging attachment  24  to massager  10 . The release lock  44  may be pressed by the user to remove the massaging attachment  24  from the massager  10  (e.g., when pressed the massaging attachment  24  is disengaged/removed from the massager  10 ). 
     In an embodiment, the attachment shaft  22  is fixed to the massaging attachment  24  and removably coupled to the second end  16  of the massager  10  (e.g., using the release lock  44 ). In another embodiment, the attachment shaft  22  may be fixed to the second end of the massager  10  and removeably coupled to the massaging attachment  24 . In yet another embodiment, the attachment shaft  22  may be removeably coupled to both the massager  10  and the massaging attachment  24 . 
     The massager  10  may further include a speed selector switch  46 . The speed selector switch  46  may allow a user to select a massaging speed of the massager  10 . For example, the speed selector switch  46  may be a three position switch. The first position may be for a low speed, the second position for a medium speed, and the third position for a high speed. Low speed may be 1000 rotations per minute (rpm), medium may be 2000 rpm, and high may be 3500 rpm, for example. In another embodiment, the speed may be adjusted using a dial (e.g., potentiometer) allowing for any number of speed selections to be made. In yet another embodiment, the speed may be selected using pushing buttons. It should be appreciated, that the speed adjustment may be accomplished in any suitable manner according to sound engineering judgment. It should be also appreciated the massager  10  (e.g., the motor) may be configured to rotate at any suitable speed, and the values provided herein are for example only. 
     The massager  10  may also include a light array  48  on the body  12  of the massager  10 . The light array  48  may indicate that the massager  10  is “ON”, for example. The light array  48  may be solid colors, multicolored, or a combination thereof. The light array  48  may change colors or displays while the massager  10  operating at different speeds. For example, when the massager  10  is operating at a low speed, the light array  48  may be solid green. The light array  48  may then be blue for medium, and orange for high. In another example, the light array  48  may flash or change colors during operation. It should be appreciated that the color of the light array  48  may be configured to account for any suitable need (e.g., indication, aesthetics, etc.). 
     The massager  10  may include a charge port  50  to allow a user to charge the battery of the massager  10 . The battery may be a battery of any of the following technologies: lithium ion, lithium polymer, nickel cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, lead acid, or any other suitable composition. The charge port  50  may provide a connection port for a battery charger, for example. The charger may output 24 VDC or 25.2 VDC at 0.6 A, for example. It should be appreciated that the charge port  50  may be configured to accept any suitable charger at any suitable charge rate or voltage need. 
     Additionally, the massager  10  may include a battery charge indicator  52 . The charge indicator  52  may be LED lights, for example. The battery charge indicator  52  may indicate when the power source (e.g., battery) of the massager  10  is fully charged or in need of a charge. It may indicate the status or charge level of the battery (e.g., charged or dead), may indicate the exact battery voltage (e.g., 22V, 24V, 25.2V, etc.), or may indicate battery percentage (e.g., 50%, 75%, 100%, etc.). The charge indicator  52  may also indicate when the battery is currently being charged and when the charge is complete. It should be appreciated that the charge indicator  52  may be configured according to sound engineering judgment to provide a useful indicator to the user to determine the status of the battery and/or charge process. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , an exemplary embodiment of a massaging attachment is shown generally at reference numeral  124 . Massaging attachment  124  may include one or more massaging balls  102  and an attachment shaft  122 . The attachment shaft  122  may allow a user to removably couple the massaging attachment  124  to the massager  10  (e.g., at the second end  16 ). The massaging balls  102  may roll freely within the massaging attachment  124  or may be secured fully (e.g., no rotation). 
     Turning to  FIG. 4 , another exemplary embodiment of a massaging attachment is shown generally at reference numeral  224 . Massaging attachment  224  may include a single massage ball  202  and an attachment shaft  222 . The attachment shaft  222  may allow a user to removably couple the massaging attachment  224  to the massager  10 . The massaging ball  202  may roll freely within the massaging attachment  224  or may be secured fully (e.g., no rotation). 
     It should be appreciated that the massaging attachments  24 ,  124 ,  224 , may be configured according to a specific patient&#39;s massage needs. For example, any number of massage balls may be included with a massage attachment. The balls may rotate freely or be fully secured to the attachment. Further, suitable massage attachments having no massage balls may be used. The massager  10  may allow a user to easily swap out (e.g., change) massage attachments using the release lock  44 . 
     Although certain embodiments have been shown and described, it is understood that equivalents and modifications falling within the scope of the appended claims will occur to others who are skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification.