Patent Abstract:
An adjustable fitness and massage roller formed as a tubular structure is disclosed. The tubular structure has protrusions that can be continuously adjusted via an adjustment mechanism to extend out from the circumferential surface of the roller. In a basic position the circumferential surface is smooth and the he protrusions are not extending outward. In an extreme working position the protrusions are in utmost extended position. The user can adjust the surface of the roller according to her/his preference by adjusting the position of the protrusions.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a fitness and massage roller, especially to a foam roller. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Massage has long been used to treat muscles and fasciae, especially tight, stiff muscles, and for prevention of muscle injuries as benefits of massage are well known for example strength, flexibility and endurance, and recovery speed are improved. For example tight muscles are a common condition among athletes and other active persons and it is known to use massage devices, for example fitness and massage rollers, instead of or in addition to traditional massage for relieving the tightness muscles and treatment of fasciae. The fitness and massage rollers are also used in different types of muscles and fasciae treatments of active, passive and other persons having need for the corresponding treatment. These rollers are generally made of plastic, foam, or rubber and the rollers currently on the market can have a smooth or a textured surface. Unfortunately, these devices do not offer any variety in surface density, or size, unless a user buys multiple products, and therefore, the user cannot treat different types of muscle problems with a single device. One type of massage devices is the fitness and massage roller, often called as foam roller, which is often used by placing the roller below the body part needing massage and rolling the body part against the roller and the body weight creating thus the massage force. The foam rollers are used in different types of exercises and are typically solid foam structures with a smooth surface or with a surface with different types of protrusions. The surface structure of different types of foam rollers may be produced of different hardnesses depending on desired results and/or on types of use but variation of surface structure for different needs and/or usages is based on changing the surface structure of the roller or the whole roller and thus various surface parts and/or rollers are needed for different types of purposes. Accordingly, a new and improved fitness and massage roller is needed which can be used for variety of purposes without need of changing rollers or roller parts. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It is an object of this invention to provide a fitness and massage roller that overcomes disadvantages of prior art devices. 
         [0004]    It is an object of this invention to provide a fitness and massage roller, which has adjustment means for adjusting force and power of the influence of the treatment provided by the fitness and massage roller. 
         [0005]    It is an object of this invention to provide a fitness and massage roller comprising protrusions, height of which in respect of the surface level of the fitness and massage roller is adjustable and thus the effect providing the treatment can be adjusted. 
         [0006]    It is an object of this invention to provide a fitness and massage roller in which the adjustment means provide advantageously continuous height adjustment of the protrusion such that the height of the protrusions can be a selected height between two extreme heights of the protrusions. 
         [0007]    It is an object of this invention to provide a fitness and massage roller, wherein position of the protrusions is adjustable to a position between a basic position and a working position by turning the adjustment ring. 
         [0008]    Another object of this invention is to provide a fitness and massage roller, wherein the tubular structure of the fitness and massage roller is formed by a surface frame comprising several openings for protrusions. 
         [0009]    A further object of this invention is to provide a fitness and massage roller, wherein the tubular structure of the fitness and massage roller is formed by surface parts attached between the end plate and the end flange by attachment means and longitudinal shafts. 
         [0010]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a fitness and massage roller, wherein the adjustment means comprise pressure regulating means for regulating pressure inside the protrusions. 
         [0011]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a fitness and massage roller, having a tubular structure and comprising a tubular surface frame having a first end, and a second end, and a circumferential surface; an end plate attached to the first end; an end flange attached to the second end; an adjustment means attached to the end flange; a multitude of protrusions having a height extending from the circumferential surface, said height being continuously adjustable between a first and a second extreme position by the adjustment means, wherein the first extreme position is a basic position where the circumferential surface is smooth and the second extreme position is a position where full height of the protrusions extend from the circumferential surface. 
         [0012]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a fitness and massage roller, wherein a soft material layer covers the surface frame. 
         [0013]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a fitness and massage roller, wherein the first extreme position of the protrusions is when each surface part has only one of its three sides circumferentially exposed and the other extreme position when each surface part has two of its three sides circumferentially exposed. 
         [0014]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a fitness and massage roller, wherein the surface parts have three sides and thus a triangular cross section. 
         [0015]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a fitness and massage roller, wherein the adjustment ring is turnably connected to the longitudinal tooth ring for turning the ring and thereby moving the surface parts. 
         [0016]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a fitness and massage roller, wherein tubular surface frame comprises a longitudinal tooth ring attached in between of the endplate and end flange and the surface parts are attached with longitudinal shafts between the end plate and the end flange in such a way that each surface part locates in between two adjacent teeth of the tooth ring. 
         [0017]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a fitness and massage roller, wherein the surface parts form the protrusions. 
         [0018]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a fitness and massage roller, wherein the tubular surface frame is formed of a multitude of surface parts attached between the end plate and the end flange. 
         [0019]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a fitness and massage roller, wherein the protrusion plate has an edge with multitude of protrusions and the openings on the tubular frame are selected from a triangular opening, a rectangular opening, a circular opening, and a needle loop form. 
         [0020]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a fitness and massage roller, wherein the protrusion plate has an edge with one continuous protrusion and the openings on the tubular frame are slits. 
         [0021]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a fitness and massage roller, wherein the adjustment ring turnably connected to the middle shaft for moving the conical tooth rings and thereby moving the protrusion plates. 
         [0022]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a fitness and massage roller, wherein in middle of the shaft threading direction of threads is reversed. 
         [0023]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a fitness and massage roller, wherein the conical tooth rings are attached threadedly with the middle shaft. 
         [0024]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a fitness and massage roller, wherein the middle structure comprises conical tooth rings movably attached at both ends of the middle shaft, and the protrusion plates have a truncated triangular form with two longitudinal edges and each longitudinal edge locates between two adjacent teeth of the conical tooth rings. 
         [0025]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a fitness and massage roller, wherein the tubular surface frame comprises a middle structure comprising a middle shaft having two ends, and a multitude of protrusion plates comprising an edge with one or more protrusions attached on the middle shaft in a way that the protrusions are toward the circumferential surface. 
         [0026]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a fitness and massage roller, wherein the tubular surface frame comprises a multitude of openings on the circumferential surface through which the protrusions extend. 
         [0027]    It is an object of this invention to provide fitness and massage roller having a tubular structure and comprising: a tubular surface frame having a first end, and a second end, and a circumferential surface; an end plate attached to the first end; an end flange attached to the second end; a turnable adjustment ring attached to the end flange; a multitude of protrusions having a height extending from the circumferential surface, said height being continuously adjustable between a first and a second extreme position by the turnable adjustment ring, wherein the first extreme position is a basic position where the circumferential surface is smooth and the second extreme position is a position where full height of the protrusions extend from the circumferential surface. 
     
    
     
       SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0028]    In  FIG. 1  is schematically shown as an overview one example of the fitness and massage roller according to the invention in its basic position. 
           [0029]    In  FIG. 2  is schematically shown as an overview the example according to  FIG. 1  in a working position with the protrusions up. 
           [0030]    In  FIG. 3  is schematically shown the example according to  FIGS. 1-2  as an exploded view without the surface frame. 
           [0031]    In  FIG. 4  is schematically shown the example according to  FIGS. 1-3  assembled without the surface frame and with some of the protrusion plates removed and the protrusions down. 
           [0032]    In  FIG. 5  is schematically shown the example according to  FIGS. 1-4  assembled without the surface frame and with some of the protrusion plates removed and the protrusions up. 
           [0033]    In  FIG. 6  is schematically shown an end view the example according to  FIGS. 1-5  showing the mechanism for moving the protrusions with the protrusions up (in an extended position). 
           [0034]    In  FIG. 7  is schematically shown an end view the example according to  FIGS. 1-6  showing the mechanism for moving the protrusions with the protrusions down. 
           [0035]    In  FIG. 8  is schematically shown one example of protrusion plate for the example according to the  FIGS. 1-7 . 
           [0036]    In  FIG. 9  is schematically shown another example of protrusion plate for the example presented in the  FIGS. 1-7 . 
           [0037]    In  FIG. 10  is schematically shown yet another example of protrusion plate for the example according to the  FIGS. 1-7 . 
           [0038]    In  FIG. 11  is schematically shown as an overview another example of the fitness and massage roller according to the invention in its basic position. 
           [0039]    In  FIG. 12  is schematically shown as an overview the example according to  FIG. 11  in a working position with the protrusions up (in extended position). 
           [0040]    In  FIG. 13  is schematically shown an end view the example according to  FIGS. 11-12  showing the mechanism for moving the protrusions with the protrusions down. 
           [0041]    In  FIG. 14  is schematically shown an end view the example according to  FIGS. 11-13  showing the mechanism for moving the protrusions with the protrusions up (in extended position). 
           [0042]    In  FIG. 15  is schematically shown an end view of the example according to  FIGS. 11-14  showing the adjustment means. 
           [0043]    In  FIG. 16  is schematically shown the example according to  FIGS. 11-15  as an exploded view. 
           [0044]    In  FIG. 17  is schematically shown as an overview of yet another example of the fitness and massage roller according to the invention in its basic position. 
           [0045]    In  FIG. 18  is schematically shown as an overview the example according to  FIG. 17  in a working position with the protrusions up. 
           [0046]    In  FIG. 19  is schematically shown the example according to  FIGS. 17-18  as an exploded view. 
           [0047]    In  FIG. 20  is schematically shown the example according to  FIGS. 17-19  as an end view without the surface frame and with the protrusions up. 
           [0048]    In  FIG. 21  is schematically shown the example according to  FIGS. 17-20  as a side view without the surface frame and with the protrusions uninflated. 
           [0049]    In  FIG. 22  is schematically shown the example according to  FIGS. 17-21  as a side view without the surface frame and with the protrusions inflated. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0050]    The present invention provides a fitness and massage roller that overcomes disadvantages of prior art devices. The invention provides an advantage of providing a fitness and massage roller, which has adjustment means for adjusting force and power of the influence of the treatment provided by the fitness and massage roller. It also provides for possibility of variable usages of the fitness and massage roller for different usages, for example massage of muscles and treatment of fasciae. The fitness and massage roller comprises protrusions, height of which in respect of the surface frame level of the fitness and massage roller is adjustable and thus the effect providing the treatment can be adjusted. Thus safe use of the fitness and massage roller is provided as different muscles parts of the human body should be treated by different force and power. This also provides for the possibilities of variable usages for different purposes for example stretching, massaging, pre-warming the muscles etc. The adjustment means provide advantageously continuous adjustment. The benefit of the fitness and massage roller according to the invention is also the possibility of increasing or decreasing the effect during the treatment and/or exercise when needed. 
         [0051]    In a first aspect, the present invention provides a fitness and massage roller, which has adjustment means for adjusting force and power of the influence of the treatment provided by the fitness and massage roller. The fitness and massage roller comprising protrusions, height of which in respect of the surface level of the fitness and massage roller is adjustable and thus the effect providing the treatment can be adjusted. The protrusions are formed to protrusion plates, which are attached onto a middle shaft of the fitness and massage roller. The protrusions are adjustably movable through openings in a surface frame part of the fitness and massage roller by an adjustment mechanism controlled by turning an adjustment ring. The roller is said to be in a basic position when the protrusions are not extending through the opening and the circumferential surface of the roller is smooth. The roller is said to be in a working position when the protrusions are adjusted to extend out from the openings. The user of the roller can select between numerous working positions depending on how much the protrusions are selected to extend. 
         [0052]    In a second aspect, the present invention provides a fitness and massage roller, which has adjustment means for adjusting force and power of the influence of the treatment provided by the fitness and massage roller. The fitness and massage roller comprises protrusions formed by turnable surface parts of the fitness and massage roller. The protrusions are formed by turning a longitudinal toothed ring by an adjustment ring. Again the roller is said to be in basic position when the protrusions are not extending from the circumferential surface. The roller is said to be in a working position when the surface plates are adjusted such that the surface no more is smooth but the protrusions extend from the surface. 
         [0053]    In a third aspect the present invention provides a fitness and massage roller, which has adjustment means for adjusting force and power of the influence of the treatment provided by the fitness and massage roller. The adjustment means comprise pressure regulating means for regulating pressure inside the multitude of the protrusions, height of which in respect of the surface level of the fitness and massage roller is adjustable by the adjustment means and thus the effect providing the treatment can be adjusted. The roller is said to be in basic position when the circumferential surface is smooth and in a working position when the pressure inside the protrusions is adjusted such that the protrusions extend from the surface. 
         [0054]    The device is now described in reference to  FIGS. 1-22 . In  FIGS. 1-7  is shown one advantageous example of the invention and advantageous protrusion plate examples in  FIGS. 8-10  and in  FIGS. 11-16  another advantageous example of the invention and in  FIGS. 17-22  yet another advantageous example of the invention. 
         [0055]    In  FIG. 1  is schematically shown as an overview one example of the fitness and massage roller formed as a tubular structure and comprising an end plate  11  for the first end and an end flange  12  for the second end. Onto the end flange  12  an adjustment ring  13  is attached. The tubular body of the fitness and massage roller  10  is formed by a surface frame  14  comprising several openings  15  for protrusions  16  ( FIG. 2 ). In  FIG. 1  the fitness and massage roller  10  is shown in its first extreme position i.e. basic position, in which the protrusions  16  are down i.e. not protruding through the openings  15  of the surface frame  14  and thus the surface of the surface frame  14  is smooth. The frame structure of the roller  10  comprises the surface frame  14  and the end plate  11  and the end flange  12 . 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIG. 2  schematically the fitness and massage roller  10  has in its second extreme position i.e. in one working position the protrusions  16  up i.e. protruding through the openings  15  of the surface frame  14 . The position of the protrusions  16  is adjusted by turning the adjustment ring  13  and thus height of the protrusions  16  in respect to the level of the outer circumference of the surface frame  14  can be adjusted. A working position is any position between the first and the second extreme position and the user can choose the preferred working position. 
         [0057]    In  FIG. 3  is schematically shown the main parts of the fitness and massage roller as an exploded view without the surface frame  14  ( FIGS. 1-2 ). The fitness and massage roller comprises the end plate  11  for the first end and the end flange  12  for the second end. Onto the end flange  12  the adjustment ring  13  is to be attached. A middle shaft  18  forms the middle structure of the tubular structure of the fitness and massage roller, onto which protrusion plates  17  comprising the protrusions  16  are to be attached. At each end of the middle shaft  18  a tooth ring  19  of conical shape is to be attached by threaded attachment. 
         [0058]    In  FIG. 4  is schematically shown the main parts of the fitness and massage roller  10  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) assembled without the surface frame  14  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and with some of the protrusion plates  17  removed and the protrusions  16  down and thus the fitness and massage roller in basic position. The protrusion plates  17  are attached to the tooth rings  19 , which are by threaded attachment attached to the middle shaft  18  such that the protrusions  16  are towards the outer circumference of the fitness and massage roller. The protrusion plate  17  has truncated triangular form and longitudinal sides of the protrusion plate  17  are respectively attached to the tooth rings  19  at each end of the fitness and massage roller. As can be seen from the figure the fitness and massage roller  10  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) comprises several protrusion plates  17  located spaced apart on the middle shaft  18  the truncated end of each protrusion plate  17  on the shaft  18  and the ends with the protrusions  16  extending outwards spaced apart in circumferential direction. The longitudinal sides of the protrusion plate  17  are located between two adjacent teeth of the tooth ring  19  respectively at each end of the fitness and massage roller. The end with smaller diameter of the truncated cone shaped i.e. conical tooth ring  19  is attached to the middle shaft  18  and the end with greater diameter of the truncated cone shaped tooth ring  19  is movably attached at the first end of the fitness and massage roller and at the second end of the fitness and massage roller such that they move towards each other in the axial direction of the middle shaft  18  by means of treaded portions on the middle shaft  18  and away from the ends respectively, when the protrusions  16  are moved upwards. Onto the end flange  12  the adjustment ring  13 , which is operatively connected to the protrusion plates  17 , is attached at the second end of the fitness and massage roller. 
         [0059]    In  FIG. 5  is schematically shown the main parts of the fitness and massage roller  10  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) assembled without the surface frame  14  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and with some of the protrusion plates  17  removed and the protrusions  16  up and thus the fitness and massage roller in working position. The protrusion plates  17  are attached onto the middle shaft  18  such that the protrusions  16  are towards the outer circumference of the fitness and massage roller. The protrusion plate  17  has truncated triangular form and longitudinal sides of the protrusion plate  17  are respectively attached to the tooth rings  19  at each end of the fitness and massage roller. As can be seen from the figure the fitness and massage roller  10  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) comprises several protrusion plates  17  located spaced apart on the middle shaft  18 , the truncated end of each protrusion plate  17  on the shaft  18  and the ends with the protrusions  16  extending outwards spaced apart in circumferential direction. The longitudinal sides of the protrusion plate  17  are located between two adjacent teeth of the tooth ring  19  respectively at each end of the fitness and massage roller. The end with smaller diameter of the conical, truncated cone shaped tooth ring  19  is movably attached to the middle shaft  18  and to the end with greater diameter of the truncated cone shaped, conical tooth ring  19  is attached at first end of the fitness and massage roller and at the second end of the fitness and massage such that they move towards each other in the axial direction of the middle shaft  18  by means of the threaded portions on the middle shaft and away from the ends respectively, when the protrusions  16  are moved upwards. Onto the end flange  12  the adjustment ring  13 , which is operatively connected to the protrusion plates  17 , is attached at the second end of the fitness and massage roller. 
         [0060]    In  FIG. 6  is schematically shown an end view of the fitness and massage roller from the second end showing the mechanism for moving the protrusions  16 . In this figure the fitness and massage roller  10  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is in a working position i.e. the protrusions  16  up and in  FIG. 7  is schematically shown an end view the fitness and massage roller from the second end showing the mechanism for moving the protrusions  16 . In this figure the fitness and massage roller  10  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is in basic position i.e. the protrusions  16  are down. As can be seen from the  FIGS. 6 and 7  the protrusions  16  are located at respective openings  15  ( FIG. 2 ) in the surface frame  14  and thus when the adjustment ring  13  is ( FIGS. 1-3 ) turned the respective tooth ring  19  moves the protrusions  16  correspondingly. The protrusions  16  extend from between two adjacent teeth outwards in direction from the middle shaft  18  radially. 
         [0061]    In the example of the fitness and massage roller  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-7  the fitness roller  10  has the basic position and a working position in respect of the location of the protrusions  16  in radial direction. The protrusions  16  can be located at any position between two extreme positions (the basic position and the extreme working position) by adjusting the adjustment mechanism by the adjustment ring  13 , by which the middle shaft is turned. The middle shaft  18  has a threaded portion at least at each end for attachment of the tooth rings  19 . In the middle of the shaft the threading direction of the threads is changed such that the position of the protrusion plates  17  in respect of the movement of the tooth rings  19  closer or further away from each other during the turning of the adjustment ring  13 . The tooth rings  19  have inner threading to fit the corresponding threaded portions of the middle shaft  18 . The threaded portions on the middle shaft  18  change direction of rotation in axial direction on the middle of the middle shaft  18 . The middle shaft  18  is attached to the adjustment ring  13  and at the second end extends through opening of the end flange  12  and at the first end is supported to the opening of the end plate  11 . The conical tooth rings  19  have the inner threads that fit to the threaded portions of the middle shaft  18 . When the adjustment ring  13  is turned in one direction, the middle shaft  18  turns and thus the conical tooth rings  19  are moved towards each other and correspondingly turning of the adjustment ring  13  is turned to the other direction the conical tooth rings  19  are moved away from each other. When the tooth rings  19  are moved towards each other, they push the protrusion plates  17  and thus the protrusions are moved upwards. When the tooth rings  19  are moved away from each other, the protrusion plates  17  are pulled and thus the protrusions are moved downwards. The conical tooth rings  19  and the protrusion plates  17  are form fittingly connected to each other by which the pulling is provided. 
         [0062]    Instead of this arrangement provided by the tooth rings the protrusions  16  can be moved by an adjustment mechanism, in which the adjustment ring  13  is provided with and inclined groove or like, into which a pin or corresponding of the adjustment ring  13  fit and when turning the adjustment ring  13 , the pin is movable in the groove thus moving the protrusions and adjusting their position to any position between the basic position and the working position. The end plate  11  and end flange  12  support the structure of the fitness and massage roller  10  and also support and cover the adjustment mechanism. The surface frame  14  is a tubular frame with openings  15  for the corresponding protrusions  16 . The openings  15  can have various shapes for example from a slot like shape extending in longitudinal direction of the fitness and massage roller  10 , a rectangular or circular opening shape to a very small needle hoop type shape. In the surface frame can be similar or different openings or combinations of different types of openings. On top of the surface frame  14  a soft material layer, for example of elastomer, which adjusts to the outer form created by the protrusions and its changes, can be laid as a top layer material (not shown). The material of the soft material layer can be for example rubber, Akton®, memoryfoam. 
         [0063]    In  FIG. 8  is schematically shown one example of a protrusion plate  17 , in which the protrusion  16  is formed as a longitudinally in longitudinal direction of the protrusion plate  17  extending protrusion  16  with continuous outer edge, which in use will be against the body part to be treated or massaged. 
         [0064]    In  FIG. 9  is schematically shown another example of a protrusion plate  17 , in which the protrusions  16  are formed longitudinally in longitudinal direction of the protrusion plate  17  extending spaced apart protrusions  16  with rectangular outer ends, which in use will be against the body part to be treated or massaged. 
         [0065]    In  FIG. 10  is schematically shown yet another example of a protrusion plate  17 , in which the protrusions  16  are formed longitudinally in longitudinal direction of the protrusion plate  17  extending spaced apart protrusions  16  with pointed outer ends, which in use will be against the body part to be treated or massaged. 
         [0066]    It should be noted that the protrusions  16  can be shaped in various ways, for example with rounded, triangular ends etc. 
         [0067]    In  FIG. 11  is schematically shown as an overview another example of the fitness and massage roller  30  comprising formed as a tubular structure comprising an end plate  31  for the first end and an end flange  32  for the second end. Onto the end flange  32  an adjustment ring  33  is attached. The tubular body of the fitness and massage roller  30  comprises surface parts  35  attached between and to the end plate  31  and the end flange by attachment means  34  and longitudinal shafts  37  ( FIG. 16 ). In  FIG. 11  the fitness and massage roller  30  is shown in it basic position, in which the surface parts  35  forming protrusions in working position ( FIG. 12 ), are down i.e. not protruding and thus the surface of the fitness and massage roller  30  is smooth. 
         [0068]    In  FIG. 12  is schematically shown as an overview the fitness and massage roller  30  in working position with the surface parts  35  up. The position of the surface parts  35  is adjusted by turning the adjustment ring  33  and thus height of the surface parts  35  in respect to the level of the outer circumference of the fitness and massage roller  30  can be adjusted. 
         [0069]    In  FIG. 13  is schematically shown an end view of the fitness and massage roller  30 . The adjustment mechanism for moving the surface parts  35  comprises toothed ring  38  with teeth  36 . Between of two adjacent teeth  36  an end part of corresponding surface part  35  is located such that by turning the adjustment ring  33  the toothed ring  38  and its teeth  36  turn the substantially triangular surface part  35  such that it forms an upward protrusion ( FIG. 14 ) or smooth surface ( FIG. 13 ) with the other surface parts  35 . The surface parts have three sides and thus a triangular cross section. The first extreme position of the protrusions is when each surface part has only one of its three sides circumferentially exposed and the other extreme position when each surface part has two of its three sides circumferentially exposed. 
         [0070]    In  FIG. 14  is schematically shown an end view of the fitness and massage roller  30  showing the adjustment mechanism for turning the surface parts  35  up such that protrusions are formed. 
         [0071]    In  FIG. 15  is schematically shown an end view of the fitness and massage roller  30  showing the adjustment means comprising the adjustment ring  33  and the toothed ring  38 . 
         [0072]    In  FIG. 16  is schematically shown the fitness and massage roller  30  as an exploded view. The fitness and massage roller  30  comprises the end plate  31 , the end flange  32  and the adjustment ring  33  attached onto the end flange  32  turnably. Between of the end plate  31  and the end flange  32  a longitudinal toothed ring  38  is located. The surface parts  35  forming the protrusions of the fitness and massage roller  30  in working position are attached by the longitudinal shafts  37  and attachment means  34  between the end plate  31  and the end flange  32  circumferentially spaced apart. 
         [0073]    In the example of the fitness and massage roller  40  shown in  FIGS. 11-16  the fitness roller  30  has the basic position and a working position in respect of the location of the protrusions formed by the surface parts  35  in radial direction. The surface parts  35  can be located at any position between two extreme positions (the basic position and the extreme working position) by adjusting the adjustment mechanism by the adjustment ring  33 , by which the toothed ring  38  is turned. The longitudinal shafts  37  are located supporting the surface parts  35  such that by turning by the adjustment ring  33  the toothed ring  38  turns and either rise or lower the protrusions formed by the surface parts  35 . The end plate  31  and end flange  32  support the structure of the fitness and massage roller  30  and also support and cover the adjustment mechanism. The protrusions can have various shapes formed by one corner of the triangular cross-shape of the surface parts  35 . On top of the surface frame  14  a soft material layer, for example of elastomer, which adjusts to the outer form created by the protrusions and its changes, can be laid as a top layer material (not shown). The material of the soft material layer can be for example rubber, Akton®, memoryfoam. 
         [0074]    In  FIG. 17  is schematically shown as an overview another example of the fitness and massage roller  40  comprising formed as a tubular structure comprising an end plate  41  for the first end and an end flange  42  for the second end. Onto the end flange  42  an adjustment means  43  is attached. The tubular body of the fitness and massage roller  40  comprises and spaced apart in circumferential direction located support parts  52  extending longitudinally between the end flange  42  and the end plate  41 . In between the support parts  52  openings for protrusions  46  are formed. Inside the roller is located an inner frame  44  ( FIG. 19 ) of the fitness and massage roller  40  attached between and to the end plate  41  and the end flange  42  by attachment means (not shown). On outer circumferential surface of the inner frame part  44  are located protrusions  46 , which are made of hose-like inflatable, advantageously of rubber made, members. The protrusions  46  will be located substantially at the location between the spaced apart support parts  52 . The protrusions  46  are connected to a pressure hose  47  connected to the adjustment means  43 . The protrusions  46  are formed by adjusting the pressure of the protrusions  46  by leading gaseous substance, advantageously air, via the pressure hose  47 , into the protrusions  46 . In  FIG. 17  the fitness and massage roller  40  is shown in it basic position, in which the protrusions  46  are down i.e. not protruding and substantially at same level as the support parts  52  and thus the surface of the fitness and massage roller  40  is substantially smooth. Onto the end flange  42  attached adjustment means  43  in this example is pressure regulating means by which pressure inside the protrusions  46  is adjusted. 
         [0075]    In  FIG. 18  is schematically shown as an overview the fitness and massage roller  40  in working position with the protrusions  46  up. The position of the protrusions  46  is adjusted by regulating pressure inside them inside by the pressure regulating means  43  functioning thus as adjustment means  43  for the height of the protrusions  46 . Thus the height of the protrusions  46  in respect to the level of the outer circumference of the fitness and massage roller  40  can be adjusted. 
         [0076]    In  FIG. 19  is schematically shown the fitness and massage roller  40  as an exploded view. The fitness and massage roller  40  comprises the end plate  41 , the end flange  42  and the adjustment means  43  attached onto the end flange  42  and to the pressure hose  47  and thus in controlling connection to the protrusions  46 . Between of the end plate  41  and the end flange  42  the cylindrical inner part  44  will be located. The protrusions  46  are in connection with the pressure hose  47  and extend between the end plate  41  and the end flange  42  circumferentially spaced apart and located between the support parts  52 . The roller  40  may also comprise a soft material layer  51 , for example of elastomer, as the outermost surface of the roller  40 , which adjusts to the outer form created by the protrusions  46  and its changes, The soft material layer  51  can be laid as a top layer material (not shown). The material of the soft material layer  51  can be for example rubber, Akton®, memoryfoam. 
         [0077]    In  FIG. 20  is schematically shown an end view of the fitness and massage roller  40 . The adjustment mechanism  43  for inflating the protrusions  46  comprises the pressure regulating means  43  for regulating pressure inside the protrusions  46  such that height of the protrusions  46  can be adjusted. The pressure regulating means  43  can be for example a manual air pump, a control valve or a corresponding regulating means, through which fluid, advantageously air, is passed into the system. 
         [0078]    In  FIGS. 21-22  is schematically shown the example according to  FIGS. 17-20  as a side view without the surface frame and with the protrusions  46  down in  FIG. 21  and in  FIG. 22  without the surface frame and with the protrusions  46  up. The pressure regulating means  43  are connected via the pressure hose  47  to pressure lines  49 . 
         [0079]    In the example of the fitness and massage roller  40  shown in  FIGS. 17-22  the fitness roller  40  has two extreme positions (the basic position and the extreme working position) in respect of the height of the protrusions  46  in radial direction. The height of the protrusions  46  can be at any position between the basic position and the working position by adjusting the pressure inside them by the adjustment mechanism  43 . When the pressure increases, inflates the protrusions  46  between the support parts outwards and correspondingly when the pressure decreases the protrusions  46  flatten and move inwardly towards the basic position. The protrusions  46  can have various shapes: they can extend straight in I-form as presented in the figure or they can be for example of V- or S-form in longitudinal direction. On top of the roller  40  a soft material layer, for example of elastomer, which adjusts to the outer form created by the protrusions and its changes. The material of the soft material layer can be for example rubber, Akton®, memoryfoam. The pressure regulation technique can also be used in connection with other variations of the foam roller as described herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0