Patent Description:
Percussive massage devices have become increasingly popular in recent years. However, they often can be bulky and difficult to transport in a gym bag or the like.

According to its abstract, <CIT> describes, in a massaging device, a treating section that has a body plate formed of a flexible material and a plurality of protrusions intersecting the surface of the body plate and protruding downwardly. A massaging device main body has a reciprocal drive means that deflects the body plate up and down. The small wall-like protrusions smaller than the third protrusions are provided on the surface of the body plate, and communicating portions communicating the interior with the exterior are provided inside the small wall-like protrusions. A containing portion for shampoo that is communicated with the communicating portions is provided between the massaging device main body and the body plate. A shampoo is applied inside the small wall-like protrusions with the surface of the body plate facing upwardly, and is supplied to the containing portion. The shampoo is whipped correspondingly to the deflection of the body plate while supplied from the communicating portions to perform hair washing and scalp massaging.

According to its abstract, <CIT> describes a powered brush comprising a plurality of automated bristles that are driven in order to facilitate application of shave cream to a user's face while raising hairs off the face and stimulating, exfoliating, lubricating and moisturizing the skin. The powered brush comprises a handle having a top end, a bottom end and a longitudinal axis therebetween. A brush head comprises a plurality of bristles projecting away from the top end in a longitudinal direction is attached to a brush cup which is disposed at the top end of the handle and is movable relative thereto. An internal mechanism couples a motor drive shaft to the brush cup. The internal mechanism translates rotational movement of the motor drive shaft to reciprocating motion of the brush cup causing the brush cup and corresponding brush head attached thereto to oscillate linearly in the longitudinal direction.

According to its opening statement and abstract, <CIT> describes a brush device and a massage device used for scalp massage and the like during hair washing. A plurality of projections are integrally formed with the flexible board of a brush part, so as to be axially symmetrical with the axial line of the board as a center and to allow the axial line of the projections to be orthogonally crossed with one side surface of the board. The edge of the board is fixed to a frame body, and a motor as a drive part is operated. Then, a reciprocative drive means repeatedly deforms the board, which is connected to the reciprocative drive means, along the axial line between an upward bending recessed state and a downward bending projected state. Accordingly, the plurality of projections arranged on the board are repeatedly opened/closed. Thus, an operation to grab or extend by pressure the scalp is repeated, so that the scalp is massaged and the scalp and hair are washed.

Described herein is a percussive massage device that includes a housing that defines a housing interior, a battery, a motor positioned in the housing, a switch for activating the motor, and a reciprocating shaft operatively connected to the motor and configured to reciprocate in response to activation of the motor. The reciprocating shaft includes a distal end that defines a reciprocation axis. The housing includes a first side portion and a second side portion that cooperate to define the housing interior and are defined on opposite sides of the reciprocation axis. The motor is positioned in the first side portion and the battery is positioned in the second side portion. The first side portion and second side portion are generally symmetrical. In a preferred embodiment, the housing defines a housing axis, and the reciprocation axis and the housing axis are co-axial. The motor includes a rotatable motor shaft that defines a motor axis that is perpendicular to the reciprocation axis and extends through the battery.

In a preferred embodiment, the percussive massage device includes a motor mount bracket that includes a middle member having first and second opposite sides. The motor is positioned on the first side of the middle member and the reciprocating shaft is positioned on the second side of the middle member. Preferably, the middle member includes a shaft opening defined therein and the motors rotatable motor shaft extends from the first side of the middle member, through the shaft opening and to the second side of the middle member. The reciprocating shaft is operatively connected to the motor shaft. In a preferred embodiment, the housing includes first and second housing halves. The motor mount bracket is secured to both of the first and second housing halves. Preferably, the motor mount bracket is secured to the first housing half via an interference fit and to the second housing half via threaded fasteners. In a preferred embodiment, the interference fit includes one of a tubular member and a securing post disposed on the housing and the other of the tubular member and the securing post disposed on the motor mount bracket, and the securing post is received in the tubular member.

In a preferred embodiment, the percussive massage device also includes a bush assembly through which the reciprocating shaft reciprocates. The bush assembly includes first and second dampening halves on opposite sides thereof that are positioned between the bush assembly and the housing. Preferably, the first and second dampening halves include securing protrusions extending outwardly therefrom that are received in securing opening defined in the housing.

Also described herein is a percussive massage device that includes a housing that defines a housing interior and a housing axis, a battery, a motor positioned in the housing, a switch for activating the motor, and a reciprocating shaft operatively connected to the motor and configured to reciprocate in response to activation of the motor. The motor includes a rotatable motor shaft that defines a motor axis that is perpendicular to the reciprocation axis and extends through the battery. The reciprocating shaft includes a distal end that defines a reciprocation axis. The housing includes a first side portion and a second side portion that cooperate to define the housing interior and are defined on opposite sides of the reciprocation axis. The motor is positioned in the first side portion and the battery is positioned in the second side portion. The first side portion and second side portion are generally symmetrical and the reciprocation axis and the housing axis are co-axial.

Also described herein is a method of using a percussive massage device that includes a housing that defines a housing interior, a battery, a motor positioned in the housing, a switch for activating the motor, and a reciprocating shaft operatively connected to the motor and configured to reciprocate in response to activation of the motor. The reciprocating shaft includes a distal end that defines a reciprocation axis. The method includes grasping the housing with a first hand having a palm, positioning the first hand such that the reciprocation axis extends through the palm, and massaging a first body part with a massage attachment removably connected to the distal end of the reciprocating shaft.

The housing includes a first side portion and a second side portion that cooperate to define the housing interior and are defined on opposite sides of the reciprocation axis and the motor is positioned in the first side portion and the battery is positioned in the second side portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the percussive massage device is more compact than many others taught in the prior art. In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a brushless motor that includes the necessary torque in a relatively small space. In a preferred embodiment, the device is shaped to ergonomically fit into a user's palm and the structure of the device is such that when the device is held in a user's hand, the user is placing generally linear force from their palm through the housing and to the massage member. According to the invention, the outer housing tapers from the top toward the opening through which the reciprocal shaft extends.

In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a motor mount that includes threaded fasteners that connect to one side of the housing. The device includes a bush through which the shaft runs and a bush holder in which the bush resides. In a preferred embodiment, the device is small enough to fit in a ski jacket or a purse. Due to the symmetrical nature of the device, the weight distribution and compactness makes the device easy to use.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an embodiment in the present disclosure can be, but not necessarily are references to the same embodiment; and, such references mean at least one of the embodiments.

Reference in this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the-disclosure. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments.

Certain terms that are used to describe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotation marks: The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the same context, whether or not it is highlighted.

It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than one way. Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein. No special significance is to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term.

Without intent to further limit the scope of the disclosure, examples of instruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are given below. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control.

It will be appreciated that terms such as "front," "back," "top," "bottom," "side," "short," "long," "up," "down," "aft," "forward," "inboard," "outboard" and "below" used herein are merely for ease of description and refer to the orientation of the components as shown in the figures. It should be understood that any orientation of the components described herein is within the scope of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating the present invention and not for purposes of limiting the same, <FIG>- ___ show embodiments of a portable percussive massage device <NUM> in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in <FIG>, in a preferred embodiment, the percussive massage device <NUM> generally includes a housing <NUM> that defines a housing interior <NUM>, a reciprocating shaft <NUM> and an attachment member <NUM> (secured on the distal end 16a of the reciprocating shaft <NUM>) for securing a massage member or attachment thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the device includes one of the attachment members <NUM> disclosed in <CIT> (the '<NUM> patent), the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. The attachment member <NUM> is used to attach a treatment member or massage attachment <NUM> (see <FIG>). The male attachment member <NUM> shown in the drawings is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. <NUM>-<NUM> in the '<NUM> patent. However, the embodiments shown in any of FIGS. <NUM>-<NUM> in the '<NUM> patent or any other system for connecting a massage attachment to a percussive massage device can also be used. For example, in another embodiment, the reciprocating shaft <NUM> can include a female attachment member that mates with a male attachment member on the massage attachment <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the device <NUM> also includes a battery or batteries <NUM> (or other electrical source, such as an AC plug), a motor <NUM> positioned in the housing, and a switch <NUM> for activating the motor. In a preferred embodiment, the motor <NUM> is a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor. The motor <NUM> and is configured to vary the speed (i.e., rotational motion) that may be converted to reciprocal motion, as described below. In other embodiments, the motor is a brushed DC motor, a brushed AC motor, or a brushless AC motor. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that choosing a brushless or brushed motor, or direct current or alternating current, may vary depending on the application and intended size, battery power, and use. The battery <NUM> is positioned in a battery recess 20a defined in the housing <NUM> and is electrically connected or communicated with the PCB <NUM>, which controls the operation of the device <NUM>. In a preferred embodiment, the switch <NUM> is a push button whose operation is controlled to tum the device on and off, change speeds, change modes, etc. The housing <NUM> can also include lights <NUM> that show status, such as on/off or which speed or mode the device is set to. A long push of the button <NUM> can turn the device on or off and short pushes of the button <NUM> can changes speeds or modes. The PCB <NUM> and associated controller are communicated with the motor <NUM>. It will be appreciated that wiring is not shown in the drawings.

As shown in <FIG>, in a preferred embodiment, the percussive massage device <NUM> includes a motor mount bracket <NUM> positioned in the housing interior <NUM>. Preferably, the motor mount bracket <NUM> includes a middle member <NUM> having first and second opposite sides 28a and 28b. The motor <NUM> is positioned on the first side 28a and the reciprocating shaft <NUM> is positioned on the second side 28b of the middle member <NUM>. The middle member <NUM> includes a shaft opening <NUM> defined therein. The motor <NUM> includes a rotatable motor shaft <NUM> extending therefrom that extends from the first side 28a of the middle member <NUM>, through the shaft opening <NUM> and to the second side 28b of the middle member <NUM>. Preferably, the motor <NUM> is secured to the motor mount bracket <NUM> via threaded fasteners. However, other attachments, such as welding, gluing, rivets, bolts and the like are within the scope of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the motor mount bracket <NUM> includes flanges <NUM> extending from the middle member <NUM>. The flanges <NUM> partially define a motor space <NUM> where at least a portion of the motor <NUM> is housed. The middle member <NUM> also includes a plurality of feet <NUM> extending therefrom that include tubular members <NUM> and securing openings <NUM> defined therein. Dampening rings <NUM> and dampening washers are also included. All dampening components herein are made of rubber, silicone or the like and are provided to prevent plastic to plastic or plastic to metal contact and to reduce noise and vibration.

As shown in <FIG>, dampening rings <NUM> are received in tubular members <NUM> on a first side of feet <NUM> and dampening washers <NUM> are positioned on the second side of the feet <NUM>. Threaded fasteners <NUM> or the like extend through the dampening rings <NUM>, tubular members <NUM>, securing openings <NUM>, dampening washers <NUM> and are received in threaded female securing members <NUM> on the inner surface of the second housing half 12b to secure the motor mount bracket <NUM> within the housing interior <NUM>. Securing posts <NUM> (see <FIG>) are received in the tubular members <NUM> and extend into tubular rings <NUM> to secure the motor mount <NUM> to the first housing half 12a. The securing posts <NUM> provide an interference fit with the tubular members <NUM> to secure the motor mount bracket <NUM> to the first housing half 12a. In a preferred embodiment, the securing posts <NUM> are tapered from the top or free end thereof (or include tapered flanges) to provide the interference fit with the tubular members. A dampening member <NUM> is positioned between the motor mount <NUM> and the second housing half 12b to prevent direct contact of the motor mount <NUM> against the second housing half 12b.

In a preferred embodiment, the rotation of the motor shaft <NUM> is converted to reciprocating motion of the reciprocating shaft <NUM> via a linkage assembly (or push rod assembly) <NUM> that includes a push rod <NUM> that is pivotably connected to the reciprocating shaft <NUM> (see pivot pin <NUM>) and an offset member <NUM> that includes a counterweight <NUM>. An offset shaft <NUM> extending from the offset member <NUM> is operatively connected (e.g., pivotably connected) to the push rod <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the axis of the offset shaft <NUM> is offset from the axis of rotation of the motor shaft <NUM>. In a preferred embodiment, the push rod <NUM> (or at least a majority thereof), offset member <NUM> and counterweight <NUM> are all positioned on the first side 14a of the housing interior <NUM> (i.e., on the same side of the housing interior as the motor.

As shown in <FIG>, the reciprocating shaft <NUM> extends through and reciprocates within a bush assembly <NUM>, that generally includes a bush <NUM>, dampening bush cover <NUM>, washer <NUM> and bush holding structure <NUM>. Bush <NUM> is received in the central opening 64a of dampening bush cover <NUM>, which is received in the central opening 66a of bush holding structure <NUM>. The reciprocating shaft <NUM> extends through the central opening of bush <NUM>. Dampening screw guides <NUM> and dampening halves <NUM> (which preferably have a curved shape) help damp the reciprocation of the reciprocating shaft <NUM> through the bush assembly <NUM>. To connect the bush assembly <NUM> to the housing <NUM>, threaded fasteners are extended through openings in the dampening screw guides, through openings in wings <NUM> extending from the bush holding structure <NUM> and into female securing members <NUM> (see <FIG>). Dampening halves <NUM> are positioned between the bush assembly <NUM> and the housing halves 12a and 12b. Securing protrusions <NUM> extending from the dampening halves <NUM> extend into securing openings <NUM> defined in the housing halves 12a and 12b.

<FIG> shows another embodiment, where the motor mount <NUM> and bush holding structure <NUM> are part of a unitary mounting structure <NUM>. The remaining components are the same or similar to the embodiment discussed herein where the motor mount <NUM> and bush holding structure <NUM> are separate pieces.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in a preferred embodiment, the reciprocating shaft <NUM> includes a distal end that defines a reciprocation axis A1. The housing defines a housing axis A2. In a preferred embodiment, the reciprocation axis A1 and the housing axis A2 are co-axial. As shown in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> includes a first side portion <NUM> and a second side portion <NUM> that cooperate to define the housing interior <NUM> and are defined on opposite sides of the reciprocation axis A1. Preferably, the motor <NUM> is positioned in the first side portion <NUM> and the battery <NUM> is positioned in the second side portion <NUM>. Preferably, the motor and entire drive train, prior to the reciprocating shaft <NUM> (with respect to the drive train), is positioned in the first side portion <NUM> (i.e., on the first side of the reciprocation axis A1) and the battery <NUM>, PCB <NUM> and associated electronic components (other than all wires) and the switch <NUM> are all located in the second side portion <NUM> (i.e., on the second side of the reciprocation axis A1). As shown in <FIG>, the motor shaft <NUM> defines a motor axis A3. In a preferred embodiment, the motor axis A3 is perpendicular to the reciprocation axis A1 and extends through the battery <NUM>. The motor axis A3 can also be co-axial with the switch <NUM>.

In use, a user grasps the device by placing their hand, and, in particular, their palm against the top 12d of the housing (as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) at a position wherein the reciprocation axis A1 extends through their palm. This allows the user to provide a push force in line with the reciprocation axis A1. The user can then use the device to massage one or more body parts with the removably attached massage attachment and to change attachments as desired. The device can be gripped differently if desired. It will be appreciated that the device can be paired.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the device <NUM> is preferably shaped to ergonomically fit into a user's palm. The outer surface 12c of the housing <NUM> tapers (front, back, left side and right side) from the top toward the opening <NUM> through which the reciprocal shaft <NUM> extends. In an example not according to the invention, the reciprocal shaft <NUM> may be completely retained within the housing <NUM> and does not extend through opening <NUM>. In this example, the reciprocal shaft <NUM> includes a female attachment member on the distal end thereof and the massage attachment <NUM> includes a male attachment member that extends through opening <NUM> and mates with the reciprocal shaft <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing <NUM> includes finger recesses <NUM> on opposite sides where a user can place their fingers on one side and thumb on the other side, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. In a preferred embodiment, the percussive massage device <NUM> and housing <NUM> are generally symmetrical both left and right (as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) and front and back (as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>). As shown in <FIG>, due to the button <NUM> and the opening 24a therefor and the charging port <NUM>, the device is not completely symmetrical left to right. This meets the definition of "generally symmetrical. " Similar openings and additions fall within the definition of generally symmetrical.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising," and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to. " As used herein, the terms "connected," "coupled," or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling of connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words "herein," "above," "below," and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word "or" in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

The above-detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the teachings to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of and examples for the disclosure are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Further, any specific numbers or dimensions noted herein are only examples: alternative implementations may employ differing values, measurements, dimensions or ranges.

The teachings of the disclosure provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. Any measurements described or used herein are merely exemplary and not a limitation on the present invention. Other measurements can be used. Further, any specific materials noted herein are only examples: alternative implementations may employ differing materials.

Claim 1:
A percussive massage device (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) that defines a housing interior (<NUM>),
a battery (<NUM>),
a motor (<NUM>) positioned in the housing, wherein the motor includes a rotatable motor shaft (<NUM>) that defines a motor axis (A3),
a switch (<NUM>) for activating the motor, and
a reciprocating shaft (<NUM>) operatively connected to the motor and configured to reciprocate in response to activation of the motor,
wherein the reciprocating shaft includes a distal end (16a) that defines a reciprocation axis (A1), wherein the housing includes a first side portion (<NUM>) and a second side portion (<NUM>) that cooperate to define the housing interior and are defined on opposite sides of the reciprocation axis, wherein the motor is positioned in the first side portion and the battery is positioned in the second side portion, wherein the motor axis is perpendicular to the reciprocation axis and extends through the battery, and wherein the first side portion and second side portion are generally symmetrical, and
characterised in that
the first and second side portions taper from a top of the housing toward an opening through which the reciprocating shaft extends.