Patent Publication Number: US-6213964-B1

Title: Hydromechanical massaging apparatus with detachable hydraulics

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to body massaging devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a hydromechanical massaging device which combines a hydraulic massager component and a mechanical massager component that are detachable one from the other. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Many massaging devices, for home or physiotherapeutic use, are well known in the art. These devices could be roughly classified in one of three groups: mechanical, hydraulic, and the combination of mechanical and hydraulic, or hydromechanical. 
     Mechanical massaging devices effect massage by the use of mechanical elements coming into contact with the body. Mechanical massagers are disclosed, for instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,378,007, French Patents Nos. 2 480 118, 2 596 983, 2 598 726, and Great Britain Patent Specification No. 1 534 013. Generally, mechanical massaging devices have wheels, rollers or spheres, the outer circumferential surface of which is provided with a wide variety of relief shapes and protrusions. Mechanical massagers effect stimulation of the body part by mechanical “rolling” against the part of the body to be massaged. Specifically, the massager is pressed against the body and maneuvered or rolled over the portion of the body to be massaged. The shape and location of the protrusions on the outer surface of the device function to stimulate the skin and muscles of the body, thereby serving to relieve tension. A vibratory component may also be provided to further stimulate the body. 
     Hydraulic massaging devices in the prior art use water as the working medium to stimulate the body. Prior art hydraulic massagers are disclosed, for instance, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,530,852, 3,528,411 and 4,441,488. Hydraulic massagers generally have more intricate structure and components than do mechanical massagers and incorporate pulsating jet streams. Hydraulic massagers are essentially shower head devices that attach directly to a shower hose, usually by screwing the massager directly to a nut on the end of the hose. 
     Hydromechanical massaging devices are a combination of both the mechanical/vibrating massagers and the hydraulic massagers. Hydromechanical devices are disclosed, for instance, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,239,409 and 4,139,001, German Patent No. 2 238 563 and French Patent No. 2 501 503. These prior art hydromechanical massaging devices are generally constructed as shower attachments having massaging components, such as a brush or fingers. Heretofore, however, these devices have failed to combine a solid massaging surface providing a rolling action over the body with a hydraulic massaging component centrally located with respect to the mechanical component or components so that the body part being massaged is treated to the mechanical rolling action and the hydraulic action simultaneously. Further, in the prior art hydromechanical devices, the mechanical element of the massaging device is inseparable from the hydraulic element of the massaging device. Consequently, the user cannot independently use either the hydraulic element or the mechanical element without the other being present. In addition, the entire hydromechanical massager must be replaced when either the mechanical portion or the hydraulic portion needs replacing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In contrast, the present invention is a hand-held hydromechanical massaging device which has two integrated components formed primarily from molded plastic that are detachable from one another. The first component is a hydraulic component that effects massage with water. The hydraulic component can be hooked up with an existing home water supply, such as a shower hose or the like. The hydraulic component has an arm which carries the water to a spray chamber in the form of a transverse cylinder having a series of openings forming spray nozzles. In the preferred embodiments, a turbine having a rotor and blades is mounted within the cylinder to provide a pulsating water stream. The incoming water strikes the rotor, causing the turbine and blades to alternately close and open the nozzle openings, thus providing the pulsating water jets. 
     The second component of the massager of the present invention is a mechanical component that is used for rolling mechanical massaging. The mechanical portion includes a plastic body having a pair of front rollers on a common front axle, a centrally mounted rear roller, and a handle at the front end of the body extending outwardly and backwardly. Each front roller is preferably mounted on the ends of the front axle by a universal joint connection, such as a ball joint. The ball joint fastened to the ends of the front axle movably supports corresponding semi-spherical shells positioned on the inside of each front roller. The arrangement of the front and rear rollers provides for easy movement of the massager over the curved parts of the body. 
     A plurality of rounded protrusions or knobs, preferably in the shape of truncated or semi-spherical studs, are located on annular elements mounted about the circumference of each of the rollers. Preferably, the annular elements are interchangeable and can have any desired surface configuration and body feel. For instance, the annular elements may have surfaces which are coarse or fine, hard or soft, or in the form of a brush or the like, depending on the feel to be imparted to the body being massaged. 
     The hydraulic component removably attaches to the mechanical component at a position preferably between the front and rear rollers in the middle of the massager body. As such, the hydraulic component emits its pulsating water jets between the front and rear rollers to hydraulically massage the body. At the same time, the rollers are mechanically pressed against the skin and the subcutaneous tissue to provide mechanical massaging of the body simultaneously to the same body part receiving the hydraulic action. It is believed that the positioning of the hydraulic pulsating water jets longitudinally between the front and rear massaging rollers permits the user to focus pulsating warm water jets between mechanical rollers and thereby enhance the hydraulic and mechanical massaging action of the combined components. 
     The hydraulic component is fastened to the mechanical component preferably by tooth-like members provided on the body of the massager. The handle extends over the attached hydraulic component and is used to control the movement of the massager. The massager is easy to handle, well-shaped and capable of stimulating circulation, removing toxins, breaking-up layers of fat, relieving stress and the like. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a massager having both a mechanical component and a hydraulic component which together function to massage the body part with a rolling mechanical massaging action and a hydraulic massaging action. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a hydromechanical massaging device in which the hydraulic massaging action is centrally located between two mechanical massaging components so that the body part being massaged feels simultaneous mechanical and hydraulic massaging action. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hydromechanical massaging device in which the mechanical massaging action is provided by rolling surfaces that can be easily pressed against the body and rolled over the portion of the body to be massaged, while at the same time providing hydraulic massaging action to the same body part. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a hydromechanical massager having a hydraulic component that is easily separable from the mechanical component for separate use or replacement. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a hydromechanical massaging device capable of operating effectively in any position even when the device is held in a vertical position or upside down. 
     A yet still further object of the present invention is to provide a structure in which different mechanical massaging elements can be readily interchanged thus allowing the massager to impart different mechanical feels to the body being massaged. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hydromechanical massaging device in which the rolling mechanical components can be tilted to provide a close rolling action to the body surface being massaged. 
     A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a hydromechanical massaging apparatus in accordance with the preceding objects and which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation. 
     These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view, partly sectioned, of one massaging apparatus made in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the massaging apparatus shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of the massaging apparatus shown in FIG. 1, with the mechanical rollers in a slanted position. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of a front roller of the massaging apparatus of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken along the line A—A of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective of a preferred hydraulic component for the massaging device of the present invention, showing the arrangement of the turbine inside the spray chamber cylinder to provide pulsating hydraulic massaging action. 
     FIG. 7 is a side view, partly sectioned, of the hydraulic component shown in FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 8 is a partly sectioned plan top view of the hydraulic component shown in FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 9 is a partly sectioned side view showing the hydraulic component shown in FIG. 6, with the rotor for providing the pulsing water jets in an open position. 
     FIG. 10 is a partly sectioned side view, as in FIG. 9, showing the hydraulic component with the rotor in a closed position. 
     FIG. 11 is a top view of a most preferred embodiment of the turbine for the hydraulic component of the present invention, with the turbine having alternating blades to provide more rapid pulsating jet spray. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In describing the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
     Now referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the hydromechanical massaging apparatus  10  of the present invention. The massager  10  has two basic components: a mechanical component  100  and a hydraulic component  200 . The mechanical component  100  essentially includes body  105 , handle  112 , front rollers  140 , rear roller  190 , and a horizontally extending receiving seat or nest  120 . The body  105  has a longitudinal front end  110 , rear end  170 , and a middle section  149 . Body  105  is preferably molded of rigid plastic in a one piece construction. Especially preferred plastics for the various rigid components of the present invention are acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polyester. However, if desired, the body can be formed in two or more pieces which are attached together as by gluing, plastic bolts, or the like. 
     Integral with the body  105  is a generally vertical bracket  114  which extends downwardly from the front end  110 . As shown in FIG. 1, bracket  114  has a wide top that tapers as it extends downwardly and away from body  105 . Bracket  114  terminates in an open clasp  116  that receives a front axle  130 . Since clasp  116  is preferably made of rigid plastic, the front axle  130  pressure snaps into clasp  116 . As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, bracket  114  also has a narrow width so as not to interfere with the movement of front rollers  140 . Likewise, the front end  110  of body  105  has a taper  118  curved about front roller  140  so as not to interfere with the movement of front rollers  140 . 
     As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, clasp  116  is preferably wider than bracket  114  in order to provide greater horizontal stability to front axle  130 . The widened clasp  116  further provides a stronger connection between the clasp  116  and front axle  130 . A front massaging roller  140  is mounted at each end of front axle  130  in a manner to be described in further detail below. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the rear end  170  of body  105  is forked, and the inside surface of each fork  172  has a hole  174  for receiving a rear axle  176 . An annulus  178  protrudes outwardly from the inside surface of each fork  172  surrounding hole  174 . Annulus  178  retains rear axle  176  in holes  174 , and provides support for the rear axle  176 . A single rear massaging roller  190 , having a centrally located through-hole  192 , is rotatably mounted onto rear axle  176 . Rear massaging roller  190  is juxtaposed between forks  172  and is centrally mounted about the rear end  170  of body  105 . 
     Rear massaging roller  190  is connected to body  105  by first passing rear axle  176  through the through-hole  192  of rear roller  190 . The forks  172  of the massager  10  are then forced apart, and the rear axle  176  is positioned to align with holes  27 . The forks  172  are then released, so that rear axle  176  and the mounted rear massaging roller  190  become fixedly secured to body  105 . As so constructed, the rear massaging roller  190  may be removed and replaced by reversing the process. Once connected to body  105 , rear massaging roller  190  freely rotates on rear axle  176 . 
     As will become apparent, the two front massaging rollers  140  and the rear massaging roller  190  preferably have the same diameter, width and circumferential construction. Mounted on the outer circumference of each roller  140  and  190  is an annular massaging element  19  having a plurality of mechanical massaging protrusions  20 , such as rounded knobs. Each annular massaging element  19  together with the surface massaging protrusions is preferably of one-piece construction, made from any suitable materials, such as known elastomeric and other rubber-like materials, which have some elastic capability to be slightly stretched and frictionally mounted on the rollers. Further, the elements  19  with protrusions  20  can be molded to provide any desired massager texture, soft or hard, coarse or fine. 
     Protrusions  20  are preferably arranged in concentric rows of three about the outside cylindrical surface of the rollers  140  and  190 . Protrusions  20  are preferably in the form of truncated or semi-spherical studs; the protrusions  20 , however, may be arranged in any desired fashion and have any desired shape, such as conical. In addition, the massaging elements  19  and protrusions  20  can be different on different rollers, as desired, e.g., rear roller  190  providing a different massaging feel from front rollers  140 . 
     Turning back to FIG. 1, handle  112  is detachably fastened on the top of the front end  110  of body  105  by any suitable fastening means (not shown). Alternatively, handle  112  and body  105  can be molded together in a one-piece construction. A grip  113  is located along the side surfaces of handle  112 . Preferably, grip  113  is a roughened portion of the handle  112 . Alternatively, grip  113  may comprise a high friction material, such as a rubber, that is adhered to the side surface of the handle  112 . 
     Hydraulic component or head  200  of the present invention essentially has two components, a longitudinal arm  210  and a spray chamber, preferably in the form of a transverse cylinder  230 , preferably molded of one-piece construction. The arm  210  is a hollow cylindrical tube having one end  212  leading into the transverse cylinder  230 . Cylinder  230  is perpendicular to, and wider than, arm  210  so that the hydraulic component  200  generally forms a T-shape. The opposite end  214  of arm  210  has an exterior or male thread (not shown). Domestic water is supplied to hydraulic head  200  by connecting a flexible hose  216  to the end  214  of hydraulic head  200 . The hose  216  has a female threaded nut  218  that attaches to the threaded end  214  of the arm  210 . 
     Once the hydraulic portion  200  has been connected to the hose  216 , and the water supply turned on, water will then travel through longitudinal arm  210  to the cylinder  230 . The water then exits cylinder  230  as high pressure jets  30  through openings or nozzles  232  located in the underside of cylinder  230 . In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, nozzles  232  are elongated slots cut in the bottom of cylinder  230 , so that jets  30  project outwardly from nozzles  232  in a conical spray pattern as shown in FIG.  1 . In an alternative embodiment, nozzles  232  can be formed by a series of slots, such as four slots spaced on each side in cylinder  230 , as shown in FIG.  6 . 
     A cylindrical shaped receiving seat or nest  120  is transversely located in the middle section  149  of body  105 , generally equally spaced between the front and rear massaging rollers  140  and  190 . Hydraulic head  200  detachably mounts with body  105  by securing transverse cylinder  230  in nest  120 . Cylinder  230  attaches to nest  120  so that the nozzles  232  are generally perpendicular to the body surface to be massaged, shown in FIG. 1 as surface  25 . 
     An opening  128  is formed in the bottom of nest  120  of body  105  so that when the hydraulic component  200  is secured in the nest  120 , there is no obstruction beneath nozzles  232 . In this manner, the jets of water  30  pass directly onto the user&#39;s body  25 . Preferably, nest  120  has the same length as cylinder  230  and is lined with a suitable liner  122 . Liner  122  can be made from an elastomer, rubber or like material to provide a tight seal between the cylinder  230  and the nest  120 . 
     Cylinder  230  is secured against falling out of the nest  120  by elongated tooth-shaped members  124  located on either side of nest  120 . Members  124  extend substantially along the entire top edge of the nest  120 , as shown in FIG.  2 . As best shown in FIG. 6, cylinder  230  has corresponding grooves  233  which extend along the upper front and rear surfaces. As cylinder  230  is placed into nest  120 , teeth  124  snap into the corresponding grooves  233  on the cylinder  230  and thus hold the hydraulic component  200  in a fixed operating position in body  105 . 
     The top or crown  126  of the tooth-shaped members  124  project outwardly from the top end of nest  120 . To release hydraulic head  200  from body  105 , the crowns  126  of the tooth-shaped members  124  are pressed back. The hydraulic head  200  is thereby released, and may then be used as a separate hydraulic massaging device or a plain shower device. Likewise, the mechanical component  100  may also be used separately as a separate mechanical massaging device. 
     The front massaging rollers  140  and the rear massaging roller  190  are designed to rotate about front and rear axles  130  and  176 , respectively, in order to permit massager  10  to move in a forward and rearward direction. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the forward direction is to the left and the rearward direction is to the right. The rollers  140  and  190  rotate in response to movement of massager  10  against the surface of a body  25 . 
     In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, front massaging rollers  140  are mounted on the ends of front axle  130  by a universal connection, specifically ball joints  168 . Hence, front massaging rollers  140  are capable of pivoting about front axle  130  in all directions, including transverse to the forward and rear directions. In the frontal perspective of FIG. 3, for instance, each front massaging roller  140  is shown independently pivoting clockwise and counter-clockwise about axle  130  on its respective ball joint  168 . In the preferred embodiment, front rollers  140  are capable of pivoting transversely to approximately a maximum of about 30°-40° from the vertical. 
     Front massaging rollers  140  are thus able to pivot in response to the shape of the body  25  so that the massaging surface of the front rollers  140  can remain generally perpendicular to body surface  25 . The wide range of motion of front rollers  140  allows the massager  10  to adapt to a wide range of curvatures of the user&#39;s or patient&#39;s body  25 . For instance, the body surface  25  shown in FIG. 3 is more rounded than the body surface  25  of FIG.  1 . The distance between the front rollers  140  is such that when fully slanted, rollers  140  almost touch each other, allowing for the massaging of such small body parts as, for instance, fingers and toes. 
     Now turning to FIGS. 4 and 5, the manner in which the front massaging rollers  140  are mounted to the front axle  130  for universal movement through ball joints  168  will be described in detail. First, rigidly mounted on each end of the axle  130  is a ball or spherical joint  170 . A bore  172  passes through the center of the spherical joint  170 . The bore  172  defines an opening at each end of the spherical joint  170 . A circular depression  176  is formed in the spherical joint about the outside opening  174  of the bore  172 . The circular depression  176  defines a ledge  178  about the opening  174 . 
     Axle  130  has a reduced diameter end  132  which passes through bore  172  of the spherical joint  170 . The axle end  132  also has a longitudinal slot  135  which separates resilient legs or tines  134 . The distal ends of tines  134  have rounded protrusions  136 . Protrusions  136  increase the size of axle end  132  so that tines  134  must be compressed in order to pass axle end  132  through bore  172 . Once the protrusions  136  exit opening  174  on the opposite end of spherical joint  170 , the tines  134  return to their normal position and the protrusions  136  come to rest against the ledge  178  of depression  176 . 
     The diameter of the axle end  132  and the bore  172  of spherical joint  170  are configured such that when assembled, spherical joint  170  is held in place by the frictional engagement between the outer surface of axle end  132  and the inner surface of bore  172 . The reduced diameter of axle end  132  forms a cylindrical abutment  137  where the diameter of axle  130  is reduced. When the axle end  132  is assembled in bore  172 , the inner surface of the spherical joint  170  adjacent bore  172  also engages abutment  137 , as shown in FIG.  5 . Thus, the spherical joint  170  is interlocked on axle end  132  between abutment  137  and protrusions  136 . 
     Further, protrusions  136  are located in depression  176 . Hence, the end of front axle  130  will be recessed below the outer surface of spherical joint  170 . In addition, protrusions  136  have notches  171  (see FIG. 4) in their periphery to assist in grasping the protrusions  136  in order to force resilient tines  134  towards each other when removing axle end  132  from through bore  172  and engagement with the spherical joint  170  (and its related front roller  140 ). 
     Front roller  140  is rotatably mounted on spherical joint  170 . The front rollers  140  have an annular support member  142 , an annular inner or front bearing shell  180  and an annular outer or bottom bearing shell  182 . Annular support member  142  has an annular outer tier  144  and an annular inner tier  146 , interconnected by a centrally located annular brace  148  to form the shape of an “H” in cross-section, as shown in FIG.  5 . Outwardly turned cylindrical lips  150  are located at either end of the outer tier  144  of the support member  142 . When the annular massaging components  19  are positioned on the outer surface of outer tier  144 , they are held laterally in place between the outwardly turned lips  150 . An inwardly turned cylindrical lip  152  is located on the outer or bottom end of inner tier  146 . 
     The outer or bottom bearing shell  182  has a cylindrical notch  184  located on its bottom outer edge which comes to rest against the inside surface of inner tier  146  so that notch  184  mates with inwardly turned lip  152 . The outer half of spherical joint  170  rests on the curved interior surface of the outer bearing shell  182 . The inner bearing shell  180  is positioned against the inner half of the spherical joint  170 . 
     The outer and inner bearing shells  182  and  180  each have an inwardly facing surface that is curved to conform with the shape of the spherical joint  170 . The shells  180  and  182  thus cradle spherical joint  170  so as to fix spherical joint  170  within roller  140 . The roller  140  is thus free to rotate in a universal manner in all directions on the joint  170 . However, when the edge of inner bearing shell  180  engages axle  130 , the wheel  140  is prevented from tilting further. The maximum tilt before stop contact is preferably about 30°-40° from the vertical. 
     The inner bearing shell  180  has an outwardly projecting boss  154  having a tooth-shaped member  156  that mates with holes  158  located in the inner tier  146  as shown in cross-section in FIG.  5 . The inner bearing shell  180 , also preferably made of a plastic, permits boss  154  to bend during assembly to allow tooth-shaped member  156  to snap into hole  158  when the front bearing shell  180  is fully inserted into the inner tier  146  of the support member  142 . Preferably, two teeth  156  are provided at 180 degrees from each other. Teeth  156  lock the inner bearing shell  180  into position, thereby preventing the support member  142  and related components of roller  140  from becoming dislodged from spherical joint  170  and thus axle end  132 . 
     A cap  186  is preferably fitted over the outer end of each front roller  140 . Cap  186  has a cylindrical outer lip  188  which friction fits against the inside surface of outer tier  144 . Cap  186  thus prevents dirt, water, and other contaminants from entering the roller  140  and interfering with the operation of the ball joint  168 . Cap  186  further prevents hair, fingers, or other small objects from becoming entangled during operation with roller  140  to prevent injury. 
     The sequence for assembly of the front massaging wheels  140  and the axle  130  will now be briefly described. The outer or bottom bearing shell  182  is inserted into support member  142  such that it comes to rest against the inside surface of inner tier  146  with notch  184  mating with inwardly turned lip  152 . The spherical joint  170  is placed within the support member  142  so that it rests on the curved interior surface of the outer bearing shell  182  with the bore  172  generally facing outwardly. The inner bearing shell  180  is then positioned in the inner tier  146  against the inner half of the spherical joint  170  such that tooth-shaped member  156  snaps into holes  158  to lock the various elements of front massaging roller  140  together in assembled position. The annular massaging component  19  can be assembled on the outer tier  144  of the support member  142  at any time during assembly of the front massaging wheel  140 , or even after it has been mounted on the axle end  132 . 
     The front wheel assembly is next mounted on the axle end  132  by squeezing together tines  134  and inserting axle end  132  into bore  172 . Once the distal end of end  132  progresses through bore  172 , the protrusions  136  exit opening  174  and come to rest against the ledge  178  of depression  176 , thus preventing the spherical joint  170  coming off the end of axle end  132 . At the same time, the innermost edge of joint  170  adjacent bore  172  engages abutment  137 , thus preventing spherical joint  170  from moving inwardly. As so mounted, spherical joint  170  is rigidly locked onto the end of axle  130 . 
     Now turning to FIG. 6, a preferred embodiment of the transverse cylinder  230  is shown. Two sets of four nozzles  232  preferably extend along the bottom of the cylinder  230 . The two sets of nozzles  232  are preferably located at either end of cylinder  230 , and no nozzles are located in the middle of cylinder  230 . Each nozzle  232  is cut in cylinder  230  to form a strong water jet  30 . The breadth of the jets  30  is designed to correspond generally with the span of the front rollers  140  in normal use. 
     Cylinder  230  has a closed end  234  and an open end  234 . The open end  234  has an interior thread that mates with the male thread of a removable screw cap  238 . A cylindrical seal  240  is positioned along the circumference of cap  238  to provide a water- tight fit between cap  238  and open end  234  of cylinder  230 . The closed end  234  and inside surface of cap  238  each have a central indentation  242  in the shape of an inverted cone, or the like. It is also contemplated that closed end  234  could also be open and fitted with threads, a removable screw cap  238  and seal  240  in the same manner as open end  234 . 
     A cylindrically shaped turbine  250  is placed inside cylinder  230 . Turbine  250  is a single component having integrated elements including a shaft  252 , ends  254 , blades  260  and  261  and rotor  266 . In the preferred embodiment, turbine  250  is constructed of one-piece molded plastic including blades  260  and  261  and rotor  266  fixedly mounted about shaft  252 . Preferably, turbine  250  is molded from the same plastic material as cylinder  230  and arm  210 . Although not preferred, blades  260  and  261  and rotor  266  can be detachable from shaft  252  so that they may be replaced, if desired. 
     Shaft  252  has two conical-shaped ends  254 . When turbine  250  is placed inside cylinder  230  and covered with cap  238 , ends  254  couple with respective indentations  242  located in the closed end  234  and cap  238 , respectively. The ends  254  and indentations  242  maintain turbine  250  in an aligned longitudinal position within cylinder  230  so that the turbine  250  may turn freely about ends  254  without hitting the sides of cylinder  230 . 
     The blades  260  and  261  are set at right angles to each other at each end of turbine  250 . The blades  260  and  261  each have a top section  262  supported by a narrow, elongated upright support structure  264  for attachment to the shaft  252 . The shaft  252  is also enlarged as at  256  where the support structure  264  is mounted on the shaft. The top  262  of the blades  260  and  261  is preferably curved to conform with the shape of the inner surface of the cylinder  230 . In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, blades  260  and  261  are located at each end of turbine  250  and consist of two opposing tops  262  and respective upright portions  264 . 
     A rotor  266  is located generally in the middle of turbine  250 , abutted on each side against blades  260  and  261 . The rotor  266  comprises a plurality of elongated paddles  268  that extend outwardly. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, six paddles  268  are equally spaced about shaft  254 . As best shown in FIG. 7, paddles  268  are set at about 60 to 65 degree angles to each other. 
     As shown in FIGS. 7-11, water passes from hose  216 , along arm  210  into cylinder  230 . The rushing water drives rotor  266 , which in turn propels turbine  250 . The nozzles  232  on each end of cylinder  230  are aligned beneath blades  260  and  261 , and are not aligned with rotor  266 . Thus, rotor  266  is confined within a closed lower wall of cylinder  230  in order to impart a greater driving force to rotor  266 . As turbine  250  rotates, the blades  260  and  261  intermittently block respective nozzles  232 . As blades  260  and  261  obstruct the nozzles  232 , water is prevented from escaping, thereby creating a pulsating effect for water jets  30 . In addition, blade  260  is offset by 90 degrees to blade  261  so that a further pulsating effect is created between the respective nozzles  232 . 
     FIG. 9 shows the blade  260  in the open position so that water is emitted from nozzles  232 , creating water jets  30 . FIG. 10 shows blade  260  aligned with nozzles  232  in a closed position. In the closed position, water is prevented from exiting nozzles  232 , and no jet  30  is permitted. Accordingly, a water pulsating effect is achieved as the water jets  30  are being periodically interrupted by the rotation of blades  260  and  261 . 
     Now turning to FIG. 11, a most preferred embodiment of the turbine  250  is shown positioned in cylindrical spray chamber  230 . This turbine is provided with multiple narrow blades  271 ,  272 ,  273  and  274 . Each of the blades  271 ,  272 ,  273  and  274  is positioned to align with a circumferential pair of the nozzles  232  as shown in FIG.  6 . Blades  271  and  274  are offset from blades  272  and  273  to provide a varied pulsating effect. The number of blades  271 - 274  provided on turbine  250  can be up to the number of sets of nozzles  232  provided on cylinder  230 . Also, by changing the arrangement of blades  271 - 274 , different water pulsating patterns can be provided. 
     As described, the various components of the hydromechanical massager of the present invention are molded from rigid plastic materials, preferably acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polyester. Other suitable plastic materials can also be used such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like. The molded plastic components include body  105  and handle  112 , front axle  130  and components of the front wheels  140  and ball joints  168 , rear axle  176  and rear roller  170 , and all of the elements of the hydraulic component  200  including the cylindrical spray chamber  230 , arm  210  and turbine  250 . Preferably, all of these plastic components are molded from the same plastic material, although different compatible plastic materials may be utilized. Also, while plastic is preferred, the components of the present invention may be made from other rigid materials, such as appropriate metals and the like. Finally, annular massaging elements  19  with protrusions  20  are molded in one piece from suitable elastomeric, rubber or like materials. 
     The hydromechanical massaging apparatus  10  may be used as a professional massaging device as well as a domestic appliance connected to a hose  216  of an existing shower unit (not shown). As a professional device, it could be used in hospitals for post-operative therapy, in resorts and recreational centers, sport centers and the like. When used as a professional device, the massaging apparatus  10  is preferably connected to a source of warm and cold water under a predetermined pressure, with regulated water flow and preset water temperature. 
     The foregoing descriptions and drawings should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Numerous applications of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. For example, the hydraulic component  200  may be rigidly secured to body  105  and arm  210  can function as the handle to control movement of massager  10 , thus eliminating the need for separate handle  112 . However, to reduce the possibility of damage, the preferred embodiment includes a separate handle. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed or the exact construction and operation shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.