Improvements in Massage Apparatus.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Apr., 1898-Accepted, 16th July, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Massage Apparatus.
I, EMIL MUSCHIк, of 24, Bethesdastrasse, Hamburg, Germany, Masseur, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
-
The various massage apparatus hitherto employed do not satisfy the require-
ments which are now demanded from an efficient massage, because they act only
upon the external parts of the body containing the large blood vessels, but not
upon the very small capillary vessels in the internal parts, although it is the
proper operation of the latter which is most important for the change of substance
in the body. Furthermore, massaging with these apparatus is in some cases
injurious, because the health can be readily impaired by too rough manipulation
or application.
Now this invention relates to massage apparatus which obviates these drawbacks
because it allows of producing a gentle vibration of the body—to its inner parts,
and can be applied with more or less vigour as required.
In the accompanying illustrative drawings Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show the improved
apparatus in front end elevation, plan, and in partial side elevation respectively.
The apparatus comprises two hammers a which are loosely jointed to the ends of
a cross piece that can be caused to rotate by means of a flexible shaft d adapted
to be guided by a handle c. Below the hammers there is provided a plate f which
is held by a carrier or support g that is fixed in a projecting part h on the handle
by means of a set screw i.
In using the apparatus, the plate f is held upon the part of the body which it
is desired to massage, and the shaft d is caused to revolve rapidly, as by means
of a motor driven by hand or power and thereby the massage hammers are caused
to strike at short intervals upon the plate. By this means the plate, and with it,
the underlying part of the body is jolted, and as these jolts follow one another
in very rapid succession, the said part of the body is gradually caused to vibrate,
whereby an extremely effective healing action is produced.
According as the shaft is caused to rotate faster or slower, or according as
heavier or lighter hammers are employed, the jolts can be varied according to
the circumstances of the case.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is: -
1. Massage apparatus wherein two hammers a are loosely jointed to a flexible
shaft capable of being rapidly rotated, and wherein a plate f is arranged to
receive the blows of the hammers and to transmit the same to the part of the
body to be treated, for the purpose of causing the said part of the body to be
vibrated by reason of a rapid succession of light blows substantially as set forth.

page_text: 2. Massage apparatus constructed, arranged and operating substantially as
herein before described with reference to and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 9th day of April 1898.
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.