Abstract:
A massage apparatus which provides a unique combination of mechanical oscillation (vibration) and suction to help break up the fat clusters and stretch fiber tissue by combining massage and strong localized suction to raise the skin and bring encapsulated fluids to the surface. The massage apparatus is designed to combine localized suction to raise the skin and contain fluids of a body part while simultaneously generating a high frequency vibration to maximize fluid flow and elongation of skin fibrous tissue to increase the flexibility and elasticity of the skin.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0001]    Not Applicable.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates to a massage apparatus for massaging the human body. While the invention is described with particular reference to that application, those skilled in the art will recognize the wider applicability of the invented principles disclosed hereinafter.  
           [0003]    Massage apparatus and techniques employed by various types of massage machines are well known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,098,226 (&#39;226), U.S. Pat. No. 4,102,334 (&#39;334) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,757,806 (&#39;806) all disclose apparatus designed to produce percussive directional stroking, generally for medical purposes such as to loosen and mobilize, in selected directions, bronchial secretions or other congested materials in humans or animals, to improve blood circulation, and to relax muscles, for example.  
           [0004]    Other various massage techniques also are known, which generally involve subjecting the patient to pressure, and/or displacements, and/or pinchings. In particular, it is known that cellulite formations can be controlled by body massage. Various types of equipment have been proposed previously to facilitate a masseur&#39;s work. It also has been found that a massage technique, sometimes referred to as “rolled palpation massaging” can be used for the treatment of cutaneous and cellulite in dermalogic zones. This technique involves subjecting the patient to continuous action during which the masseuse must effect, simultaneously, not only a localized pinching, but also a progressive displacement of the pinch zone so as to provide a “roll” while at the same time exerting pressure. A device for providing roll palpitation is disclosed, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,729,368 (&#39;368). In general, the device described in the &#39;368 patent, involves a use of a roller structure and a vacuum source. The vacuum source draws the skin up between the rollers and the rollers apply force to the skin as it is drawn upwardly and held between the rollers by the vacuum source.  
           [0005]    While all of these devices work well for their intended purpose, they either are cumbersome in application, and/or have a complex mechanical structure for example, as described in the &#39;368 patent, or do not provide the kind of treatment that is effective for proper treatment of fat clusters and stretching the fibrous tissue. The invention described hereinafter combines mechanical oscillation, vibration and suction in a new manner, the combination of which acts in a superior way to break up fat clusters and stretch fibrous tissues by means of a combined oscillatory or vibratory massage and strong localized suction. The massage action of the invention raises the skin and brings encapsulated fluids to the surface. This physical combination stretches or elongates fibrous bans and increases circulation to the target area. The result is improved skin toning, improved elasticity and, by moving the fibers and fluids, it helps change the shape of fat compartments in the human body. The technique is non-evasive, and helps reduce dimpling and “orange-peel” textures appearance of the skin typical with cellulite formations.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved massage therapy apparatus.  
           [0007]    Another object of this invention is to provide a massage apparatus that combines mechanical oscillation or vibration and suction to help break up fat clusters and stretch fibrous tissue.  
           [0008]    Another object of this invention is to provide massage apparatus which provides both a pressure and suction during massage therapy.  
           [0009]    Yet another object of this invention to provide a massage device which is selectively operable to provide a force combination of mechanical oscillation and suction.  
           [0010]    Another object to this invention is to provide a compact massage apparatus having simplified construction.  
           [0011]    Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the following description and accompanying drawings.  
           [0012]    In accordance with this invention, generally stated, a massage apparatus for massaging a human body, for example, includes a housing containing a motor. A drive cable is operatively connected to the motor, the drive cable having a massage head attached to it, enabling the motor to drive the massage head. The motor imports mechanical oscillations to the massage head. An applicator is mounted to the massage head and transfers mechanical oscillations to the body. The applicator head is specifically designed to provide a cavity, which permits skin to be drawing inwardly of the cavity during device operation. A vacuum pump is associated with the housing and is connected to the applicator to impart at least a partial vacuum in the applicator.  
           [0013]    A method of treating the human body to break up fat clusters and stretch fibrous tissue is provided which applies a vibratory force and a suction force simultaneously to the body, the suction force drawing and stretching fibrous tissue and the vibratory force acting on the raised tissue. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of one illustrative body of massage apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is an end view of the device shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a plan view of a first illustrative applicator used in conjunction with the apparatus of FIG. 1;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the lines  6 - 6  of FIG. 5;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a plan view of a second illustrative applicator by an application with the apparatus of FIG. 1;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  of FIG. 7, but rotated 180° with respect to FIG. 7;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the vacuum system employable with the apparatus of FIG. 1; and  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic sectional view illustrating the placement of the certain mechanical components of the massage apparatus shown in FIG. 1. 
     
    
       [0024]    Corresponding reference numerals are used throughout the several figures of the drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]    Referring now to the drawings, reference numeral  1  indicates one illustrative embodiment of massage apparatus of the present invention. The apparatus  1  includes a housing  3  which contains and protects certain mechanical components of the apparatus  1 , as later described. The housing  3  includes a first side wall  5 , a second side wall  7 , a back  9 , a bottom wall  10  and a top wall  11 . In the embodiment illustrated, the housing  3  has a two piece, cam shell design silhouette construction which facilities construction of the housing  3  and the placement of components within the housing. Other housing  3  design silhouettes are compatible with the broader aspects of the invention.  
         [0026]    The housing  3  has a hook structure  13  associated with it. The hook  13  is intended to retain a massage head  15  in a conventional way. Other structures for holding the massage head  15  may be employed, if desired.  
         [0027]    Referring now to FIG. 10, an electric motor  17  is mounted within the housing  3 . Mounting is accomplished in any convenient way. The motor  17  preferably is a variable speed motor, in that the speed of rotation of the motor may be altered at will by a user. Such motors  17  may be selected from a group including conventional DC motors, switch reluctance motors, electronically controlled motors, or a controlled induction motors. All such motor types are compatible with the broader aspects of the invention, it being preferred only that the motor  17  be of a variable speed design. The motor  17  drives a transmission line  19 . The transmission line  19  in turn is operatively connected to the massage head  15 . The particular operation of the motor  17 , transmission line  19  and massage head  15  is described in the above referenced U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,102,334, 4,098,266 and 4,757,806, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, and is not repeated here for sake of brevity.  
         [0028]    A vacuum pump  21  also is mounted in the housing  3 . Vacuum pump  21  has a suction line  23  and a discharge line  24  respectively connected to its suction side  25  and its discharge side  26 .  
         [0029]    The housing  3  also has a mounting bracket  30  attached to it, along the back wall  9 . In the embodiment illustrated, the bracket  30  is sized to accept a pair of collection vial filters  33  and  34 . The vials or filters  33  and  34  are mounted to the bracket  30  in any convenient way. Conventional preformed mating screw tops and vial structures work well, for example. Other attachment techniques are compatible with the broader aspect of my invention.  
         [0030]    Any one of a variety of applicators  40  are attached to the massage head  15 . Two illustrative embodiments of massage heads  40  are shown in FIGS.  5 - 8 . Commonly, the applicator  40  are attached to the head  15  by a conventional threaded mounting structure. Other mounting arrangements will be apparent to those skilled in the art.  
         [0031]    Referring more specifically now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a base area  43  of applicator  40  has a threaded first end  44  and a second end  45 , interconnected by a body part  46 . Body part  46  is an elongated, cylindrical structure defining an axial passage  48 , closed at its respective ends by the base area  43  and the massage tip  53 . The threaded end  44  is intended to permit the mounting of the applicator  40  to the massage head  15  in a conventional manner. The body  46  has a connection tube  50  formed in it, which communicates with the passage  48 . The connection tube  50  is sized to permit the ready connection and disconnection of a suction line  51 . The end  45  of applicator  40  has the massage tip  53  associated with it. The massage tip  53  is constructed from relatively soft, pliable material and is designed to form an axially inwardly extending cavity  55  along the end  45  of the applicator  40 . The cavity  55  has an opening  56  formed in it, which permits the cavity  55  to communicate with the connection tube  50  through the passage  48  of the body  46 , as diagramatically indicated in FIG. 6.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIGS. 7 and 8 represent the second illustrative body of the applicator  40 . Like primed numerals are utilized where appropriate.  
         [0033]    Again, an applicator  40 ′ shown in FIG. 8 includes a base  43 ′ having a threaded end  44 ′ and a massage end  45 ′. The threaded end  44 ′ of the base  43 ′ permits the applicator  40 ′ to be easily attached to and removed from the massage head  15 .  
         [0034]    The end  45 ′ of the applicator  40 ′ also is constructed from a relatively soft, pliable material. The end  45 ′ has an axially inwardly extending cavity  55 ′ formed in it, defined by a concave wall  54 . The wall  54  has a pair of openings  56 ′ and  56 ′′ formed in it, which permit the cavity  55 ′ to communicate with the tube  50 , as diagramatically indicated in FIG. 8. The tube  50  is the embodiment of FIG. 8 in integrally formed with an end wall  52  formed along the base area  53 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, size shape and design of the applicators  40  may vary in other embodiments of my invention. Each of the applicators  40  have in common the ability to transfer an oscillatory or vibratory force to a portion of the body, the body portion skin being drawn inwardly of the cavities  55 ,  55 ′ formed along the massage tip  53 ,  53 ′ of the respective applicators.  
         [0035]    The vacuum suction line  51  is connected between the tube  50 , and the vial or filter  33 . In the embodiment illustrated, the vacuum line  51  runs along the transmission line  19  and is attached to the transmission line by any convenient method. Conventional tie devices may be used, for example, if desired.  
         [0036]    Referring now to FIG. 3, it may be observed that the line  51  has a bowed section  60  from in it, which terminates along quick connect end  65 . The quick connect  65  is relatively simple to insert onto the tube  50  of the respective applicators. The bowed section  60  defines a clearance area for a handle part  67  of the massage head  15 , permitting a user to hold the head  15  in a convenient manner without interfering with line  51  operation. The line  51  extends back to and through the housing  3 , to an input  70  of the vial  33 . The vial  33  has a cross over line  71  connection to the vial  33  a second vial  34 . The vial  34  has a output  73  connected to the suction line  23  of the pump  21 .  
         [0037]    The top wall  11  of the housing  3  has the controls for the massage apparatus  1  associated with it. The controls include a speed control knob  80 , an indicator lamp  81  and a vacuum pump switch  82 . A power cord  90  includes a suitable strain relief  91  and connects the pump and motor to a source of electrical energy, through the knob  80  and switch  82 , which in part define a control system for the apparatus  1 .  
         [0038]    The operation of the apparatus  1  is relatively simple to understand. The control  80  has an off position and a plurality of motor speed positions which may be adjusted by the user. Operation of the apparatus  1  in this manner is generally similar to that described in the above referenced patents &#39;226, &#39;334 and &#39;806 in that a vibratory directional stroking motion is imparted through the transmission line  19  to the massage head  15 . One of a variety of suitable applicators ( 40 ,  40 ′) is attached to the massage head  15  and the quick connect  65  is attached to the tube  50  connection. It is a feature of the invention that the massage apparatus can provide normal massage, and with activation of the pump  21 , can be used to draw skin into the cavities  53 ,  53 ′ while simultaneously providing a mechanical vibration or oscillation on the skin. The different shapes and diameters of applicators are used to apply therapy to different body locations.  
         [0039]    As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a lotion is frequently used to help glide the applicator across the skin&#39;s surface. With the vacuum pump actuated, the vacuum line will draw excess lotion through the applicator and the line  51  into the vial  33 . The vial  33  is intended to capture the lotion while the vial  34  captures dust and lint that can accumulate in the vacuum chamber of the pump. The vials, as described above, are removable for easy cleaning. The vial filtering also helps reduce contamination and prolong the life of the rubber diaphragm in the pump.  
         [0040]    During treatment, the skin surface at the location of the applicator is drawn into the concave section of the applicator, where the skin is also slightly compressed. The suction and combination with compression and vibration helps break up the fat clusters, elongates fibrous spans and increases circulation of the target area, increasing waste by-products that are removed by the body&#39;s natural waste removal system. As indicated, both the suction and vibratory function can be used independently or in combination. The applicators are attached to head  15  in the manner indicated and can be easily removed.  
         [0041]    The forgoing detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what I presently believe is the best mode of carrying out the invention.  
         [0042]    Numerous variations, within the scope of the appended claims, will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Merely by way of example, the applicator designs can vary in other embodiments of the invention. While the preferred embodiment has what has been described as a claim shell construction, other design silhouettes may be employed. Various features of the invention which were designed for aesthetic appearances may be changes in other embodiments of the invention. These variations are merely illustrative.