Abstract:
A body treatment device ( 10 ) comprising: a foot platform ( 52 ) comprising at least one depression ( 48 ), shaped substantially to correspond to a foot ( 60 ) of a user, for placing a foot ( 60 ) in each of the at least one depression ( 48 ) while standing; a plurality of cylinders ( 12 ) disposed parallel to each other in the at least one depression ( 48 ), for placing the foot ( 60 ) thereon substantially in touch therewith; a first mechanism ( 38 ), for rotating the plurality of cylinders ( 12 ) along one direction at a time, against the foot ( 60 ); and a second mechanism for protecting a side of the foot ( 60 ) against pressure induced by the first mechanism ( 38 ), thereby rotation of the plurality of cylinders ( 12 ) against the foot ( 60 ), having significant weight of the standing, produces a mechanical linear pressure ( 64 A,  64 B) on a bottom surface ( 70 ) of the foot ( 60 ).

Description:
[0001]    The current application claims the benefit of IL Patent application no. 229189 filed on 5 Aug. 2014, incorporated herein by reference. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of body treatment devices. In particular, the present invention relates to the devices treating the body through the foot. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    Reflexology claims that the spine and other organs may be treated through the bottom surface of the foot. 
         [0004]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for treating the body through the bottom surface of the foot. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A body treatment device ( 10 ) comprising:
       a foot platform ( 52 ) comprising at least one depression ( 48 ), shaped substantially to correspond to a foot ( 60 ) of a user, for placing a foot ( 60 ) in each of the at least one depression ( 48 ) while standing;   a plurality of cylinders ( 12 ) disposed parallel to each other in the at least one depression ( 48 ), for placing the foot ( 60 ) thereon substantially in touch therewith;   a first mechanism ( 38 ), for rotating the plurality of cylinders ( 12 ) along one direction at a time, against the foot ( 60 ); and   a second mechanism for protecting a side of the foot ( 60 ) against pressure induced by the first mechanism ( 38 ),
 
thereby rotation of the plurality of cylinders ( 12 ) against the foot ( 60 ), having significant weight of the standing, produces a mechanical linear pressure ( 64 A,  64 B) on a bottom surface ( 70 ) of the foot ( 60 ).
       
 
         [0010]    The first mechanism ( 38 ) may comprise:
       a motor ( 44 ); and   a strap ( 66 ), for physically communicating the motor ( 44 ) with the plurality of cylinders ( 12 ),
 
thereby the plurality of cylinders ( 12 ) are rotatable along a rotational direction of the motor ( 44 ).
       
 
         [0013]    The second mechanism for protecting a side of the foot ( 60 ) against pressure induced by the first mechanism ( 38 ), may comprise:
       at least two extendible supporting members ( 50 A,  50 B), for titling the foot platform ( 52 ), for producing gravity force of the foot ( 60 ) being directed against the pressure induced by the first mechanism ( 38 ).       
 
         [0015]    The body treatment device ( 10 ) may further comprise a control unit ( 20 ) for controlling the first and second mechanisms. 
         [0016]    The body treatment device ( 10 ) may further comprise:
       a handle ( 24 ), for allowing the user to hold by hands thereof.       
 
         [0018]    The body treatment device ( 10 ) may further comprise:
       a folding mechanism, for folding the handle ( 24 ) towards the foot platform ( 52 ).       
 
         [0020]    Each of the plurality of cylinders ( 12 ) may comprise one or more protrusions ( 42 ) for preventing free slipping of the plurality of cylinders ( 12 ) along the bottom surface ( 70 ) of the foot ( 60 ). 
         [0021]    Each of the plurality of cylinders ( 12 ) may be eccentric for preventing free slipping of the plurality of cylinders ( 12 ) along the bottom surface ( 70 ) of the foot ( 60 ). 
         [0022]    The body treatment device ( 10 ) may further comprise:
       a vibrator ( 46 ).       
 
         [0024]    The reference numbers have been used to point out elements in the embodiments described and illustrated herein, in order to facilitate the understanding of the invention. They are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting. Also, the foregoing embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated in conjunction with systems and methods thereof, which are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    Preferred embodiments, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are described herein in conjunction with the following drawings: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a portion of a body treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a top view of three cylinders of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the body treatment device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a portion of a body treatment device of  FIG. 1 , in operation of a first direction. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a front view of a portion of a body treatment device of  FIG. 1 , in operation of a second direction. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6A  depicts the cylinder of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment. 
           [0032]      FIG. 6B  depicts the cylinder of  FIG. 1  according to another embodiment. 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the body treatment device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the body treatment device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the body treatment device of  FIG. 1  at a first folding step. 
           [0036]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the body treatment device of  FIG. 1  at the second folding step. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    The present invention will be understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments (“best mode”), which are meant to be descriptive and not limiting. For the sake of brevity, some well-known features, methods, systems, procedures, components, circuits, and so on, are not described in detail. 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a portion of a body treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0039]    A body treatment device  10  includes a plurality of cylinders  12 , disposed parallel one to the other, for being rotated by a mechanism  38  against the weight of a user&#39;s bear foot  60  standing thereon, substantially in touch therewith, bear or with socks. 
         [0040]    Rotation of the external surfaces  68  of cylinders  12 , all in the same angular direction, being angular direction  62 A or against it, is intended for producing physical linear flow applied on the bottom surface  70  of foot  60 , along linear direction  64 A or against it. The physical flow may produce an internal blood flow, energy flow or other. 
         [0041]    Mechanism  38  includes a motor  44 , and may include a strap  66  having cogs  54  for transferring the rotation of motor  44  to cylinders  12 , for rotating cylinders  12 , all in the same angular direction  62 A or against it. 
         [0042]      FIG. 2  is a top view of three cylinders of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0043]    Each of cylinders  12  may include a gear  72 , for being clasped by cogs  54  (enumerated in  FIG. 1 ) of strap  66 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the body treatment device of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0045]    Cylinders  12  are disposed within a platform  52  having one depression  48  for each foot. Depression  48  is disposed at the top, and the shape thereof is fitted to the shape of foot  60 . 
         [0046]    Platform  52  may further include a vibrator  46 , for further vibrating the foot  60 . 
         [0047]    A rear extendible supporting member  50 A supports the rear  76 A of platform  52  to the ground; and a front extendible supporting member  50 B supports the front  76 B of platform  52  to the ground. Each of extendible supporting  50  includes a telescope  74 , including hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric means for lifting the front  76  or the rear  78  of platform  52 , one in relation to the other. This lifting of the front or the rear of platform  52  tilts the foot  60 , and thus produces gravity force. 
         [0048]    A handle  24  extends from platform  52  to the height of the hands of the user, for being held thereby. The base  86  of handle  24  may be rotated in relation to platform, through pivotal connection  14 , either upon lifting the front  76  or the rear  78  of platform  52 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a portion of a body treatment device of  FIG. 1 , in operation of a first direction. 
         [0050]    Upon rotation of cylinders along angular direction  62 A which produces flow at the bottom surface  70  of foot  60 , along linear direction  64 A, the front of foot  60  might be pushed forward onto the front border  82 B of depression  48 . This pushing is not desirable, especially since the foot  60  is bear, thus might be hurt. 
         [0051]    A protection mechanism  36  protects the front and the rear of the foot against pressure applied thereon. Protection mechanism  36  may include a padding  32  disposed on the front border  82 B, and on the rear border  82 A. According to another embodiment, protection mechanism  36  includes front extendible supporting member  50 B. 
         [0052]    A telescope  74  of front extendible supporting member  50 B is being extended for lifting the front of foot  60  in relation to the rear, for producing gravity force  84 A against the forward pushing. 
         [0053]      FIG. 5  is a front view of a portion of a body treatment device of  FIG. 1 , in operation of a second direction. 
         [0054]    Upon rotation of cylinders along angular direction  62 B which produces flow at the bottom surface  70  of foot  60 , along linear direction  64 B, the front of foot  60  might be pushed backward onto the rear border  82 A of depression  48 . 
         [0055]    In order to avoid this pushing, telescope  74  of rear extendible supporting member  50 A is being extended for lifting the rear of foot  60  in relation to the front thereof, for producing gravity force  84 B against the rear pushing of cylinders  12   
         [0056]      FIG. 6A  depicts the cylinder of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment. 
         [0057]    The external surface  68  of cylinder  12 , contacting with bottom surface  70  of foot  60  may include one or more protrusions  42 , for preventing free slipping of cylinder  12  along bottom surface  70  of foot  60 , thus producing the linear physical pressure  64 A or  64 B on the bottom surface  70  of foot  60 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 6B  depicts the cylinder of  FIG. 1  according to another embodiment. 
         [0059]    Cylinder  12  may have an axle  30  disposed away from the center, thus cylinder  12  is an eccentric cylinder, thus each roll of cylinder  12  produces a push on the bottom surface  70  of foot  60 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the body treatment device of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0061]    Body treatment device  10  may include a folding mechanism  80 , for folding handle  24  towards foot platform  52 . 
         [0062]    Folding mechanism  80  may include base  86  of handle  24  may include a bottom telescopic member  16 ; a top telescopic member  22 ; and a lock  18  in between. 
         [0063]    A control unit  20  may controls motor  44  of  FIG. 1  and controls the telescopes of supporting members  50 A and  50 B. Control unit  20  may be controlled manually, through a user interface, and/or automatically, such as through a timer. 
         [0064]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the body treatment device of  FIG. 1 . Control unit  20  may include a user interface including buttons  34 , a speaker  28 , etc. 
         [0065]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the body treatment device of  FIG. 1  at a first folding step. 
         [0066]    Thus, at the first step of folding, being opening lock  18 , top telescopic member  22  may be inserted into bottom telescopic member  16 . Also control unit  20  may be rotated by pressing physical button  40  (in  FIG. 8 ). 
         [0067]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the body treatment device of  FIG. 1  at the second folding step. 
         [0068]    At the second folding step, pivotal connection  14  may be folded. 
         [0069]    In the figures and/or description herein, the following reference numerals (Reference Signs List) have been mentioned:
       numeral  10  denotes a body treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention;   numeral  12  denotes a cylinder for producing physical flow on the bottom of the foot;   numeral  14  denotes a pivotal connection;   numeral  16  denotes a bottom telescopic member of the base of the handle;   numeral  18  denotes a lock, for not allowing folding the base of the handle;   numeral  20  denotes a control unit;   numeral  22  denotes a top telescopic member of the base of the handle;   numeral  24  denotes the handle;   numeral  26  denotes a bar;   numeral  28  denotes a speaker;   numeral  30  denotes an axle of the cylinder;   numeral  32  denotes a padding;   numeral  34  denotes a button;   numeral  36  denotes a protection mechanism, for protecting the front and the rear of the foot against pressure applied thereon;   numeral  38  denotes a mechanism for rotating the cylinders along one direction against the weight applied thereon by the foot;   numeral  40  denotes a physical button;   numeral  42  denotes a protrusion in the cylinder;   numeral  44  denotes a motor for rotating the cylinders;   numeral  46  denotes a vibrator;   numeral  48  denotes a depression having the shape of the foot, for placing the foot therein;   numeral  50 A denotes a rear extendible supporting member, for supporting and lifting the rear portion of the platform;   numeral  50 B denotes a front extendible supporting member, for supporting and lifting the front portion of the platform;   numeral  52  denotes the platform, on which the user stands;   numeral  54  denotes a cog of the strap;   numeral  60  denotes a foot of the user;   numeral  62 A denotes an angular motion of the wheel;   numeral  62 B denotes the angular motion opposite to angular motion  62 A;   numeral  64 A denotes a linear pressure produced on the bottom surface of the foot by the angular motion  62 A of the wheel;   numeral  64 A denotes a linear pressure produced on the bottom surface of the foot by the angular motion  62 B of the wheel;   numeral  66  denotes a strap, for transferring the rotation of the motor to the plurality of wheels;   numeral  68  denotes an external surface of the cylinder;   numeral  70  denotes the bottom surface of the foot;   numeral  72  denotes a gear or another surface of the cylinder, receiving the motion of the motor;   numeral  74  denotes a telescope of the supporting member;   numeral  76  denotes the rear portion of the platform;   numeral  78  denotes the front portion of the platform;   numeral  80  denotes a folding mechanism;   numerals  82 A and  82 B denote rear and front borders of the depression of the foot platform;   numeral  84 A denotes gravity force applied on the foot pressing the foot backward;   numeral  84 B denotes gravity force applied on the foot pressing the foot forward; and   numeral  86  denotes the base of the handle, for extending the handle from the foot platform.       
 
         [0111]    The foregoing description and illustrations of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the above description in any form. 
         [0112]    Any term that has been defined above and used in the claims, should to be interpreted according to this definition. 
         [0113]    The reference numbers in the claims are not a part of the claims, but rather used for facilitating the reading thereof. These reference numbers should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any form.